Signing of Contracts and Agreements Policy

Policy Summary

The Bylaws of the George Washington University (“GW” or “university”) authorize the President and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to execute all written agreements required to conduct business operations on behalf of the university. The Bylaws also authorize the President and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs to execute all written academic agreements for the university. These officials may delegate their signature authority, but any such delegation must be made in writing and in accordance with the Contract Process Guide.

Who is Governed by this Policy 

• Faculty
• Staff

Policy

Only the President, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and those positions to which signature authority has been properly delegated are authorized to execute written agreements on behalf of the university.

Delegations of signature authority are necessary to efficiently carry on the day-to-day business of the university. All delegations of signature authority must be in writing and signed by the GW official holding the authority to make such delegation. The Contract Process Guide further prescribes the manner in which signature authority is delegated. 

An individual who does not hold a position that has been delegated authority or who has not received a written delegation of authority to sign agreements is not authorized to sign agreements on behalf of the university. An individual who signs an agreement that binds the university without such authorization may be held personally responsible for the obligations under that agreement. The university retains the right not to recognize an agreement as binding unless the person signing for the university has been properly authorized in accordance with the Contract Process Guide. 

The Signature Authority Table identifies the current list of positions that hold delegated limited signature authority for certain documents as described therein.

Additional information on the authority to purchase goods and services can be found in the Procurement Policy. 

Related Information

• Contract Process Guide
• Signature Authority Table
• Procurement Policy

Contacts

Contact	Phone Number	Email Address
Office of the Vice President and General Counsel	202-994-6503	gwlegalgwu [dot] edu