Policy Statement
Except as prohibited by law, it is the policy of Drexel University to furnish University employees with legal defense and payment of judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and any other expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with an actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (such action, suit or proceeding hereinafter being referred to as an "Action"), brought against such employee by reason of being an employee of the University, or by reason of serving or having served the University as an authorized member of or representative to a University committee or board or as an authorized University representative to an entity outside the University. Any rights that accrue under this policy shall inure to the benefit of the employee's estate in the event of the employee's death.
Eligibility
This policy applies to all University regular, contractual, full-time, part-time faculty and non-faculty employees who are not affiliated with a collective bargaining unit.
General Information
Defense and/or indemnification hereunder shall be available only if all of the following conditions are met:
Such employee's actions or omissions were within the scope of their University duties and authority, which shall generally include teaching, research and administrative activities for which an employee is paid by the University.
Such employee's actions or omissions were in good faith, and in a manner reasonably believed to be lawful and in the best interests of the University as determined by the Office of General Counsel. The acts or omission did not constitute willful misconduct, gross negligence or recklessness.
The protection in this policy shall not, among other things, extend to consulting or other outside professional or business activities beyond the scope of the employee's University duties.
The protection in this policy shall extend only to Actions in which an employee is a defendant or proposed defendant, and shall not extend to Actions that an employee may affirmatively initiate or propose initiating against any other persons or entities.
The protection in this indemnification policy shall not extend to defense and/or indemnification of an employee in an internal University proceeding. Internal proceedings are those that are conducted by the University under University policies and procedures. As an exception to this provision, an employee may request defense and/or indemnification in an internal proceeding that arises from allegations made by an outside individual, agency, organization or interest group, if the outside party is already represented by legal counsel in the proceeding. The President may in their discretion, in consultation with the General Counsel, grant or deny such request, and if granted, may impose such conditions as the President deems appropriate.