Sample Memorandum of Understanding
Team Name:
Team Contacts:
| Name | Role | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student 1 | Role | email 1 | phone number 1 |
| Student 2 | Role | email 2 | phone number 2 |
| Student 3 | Role | email 3 | phone number 3 |
Working Culture
Responsibilities
List each project role and outline/describe the associated responsibility for the individual serving in the role. Keep key tasks in mind such as scheduling meetings, setting and maintaining meeting agendas, record keeping, etc.
Communication Plan
- Identify how the group will communicate (Canvas, Teams, phone, email, Zoom, other).
- Identify when and how frequently the group will communicate while working on the project and how and where agendas and notes will be recorded.
Code of Conduct within the Group
- Identify how the group should behave in communications and while work together. Keep in mind how the group will address:
- Strategies to ensure cooperation and equal distribution of tasks
- Strategies for encouraging/including ideas from all team members
- Strategies for keeping on task
- Preferences for leadership (informal, formal, individual, shared)
Open Issues, Assumptions, Risks, or Obstacles
- Identify known issues that may impact the completion of the project on the part of the group. How will the group handle these?
- Identify any known or potential risks or obstacles that may impact the completion of the project. How will the group handle these?
Strategies
Identify strategies to fulfill these standards and adhere to academic integrity and copyright.
Consequences
Effects of violation: Explain how the group will handle instances where a group member violates the academic integrity policy, commits copyright infringement, or violates the code of conduct. What actions will the group take? If the instructor discovers a violation, how will the team handle it?
Commitment to the Terms of This Agreement
By signing this document, I agree to participate in the course project in a manner that aligns with the specified terms of this document. I understand my responsibilities as they are outlined above, and I accept full responsibility for my conduct, which includes abiding by University course and team policies. Failure to comply with the standards specified will result in the appropriate repercussions for any violations.
Team Member names, signatures, and date.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) requires group members to commit to the terms of the MOU and can help prevent conflicts among group members. A good MOU can help define individuals’ roles and expected responsibilities, and it can include a communication plan to identify a schedule and the ways in which group members will communicate (Canvas, Zoom, etc.). Additionally, an MOU can include a code of conduct for the group, which might include the following:
- Strategies to ensure cooperation and equal distribution of tasks
- Strategies for encouraging/including ideas from all team members (team maintenance)
- Strategies for keeping on task (task maintenance)
- Preferences for leadership (informal, formal, individual, shared)
A well-developed MOU can help groups identify issues that might affect the completion of the project and spur conversation about how a group might handle these obstacles, should they arise.
Finally, an MOU can lay out strategies for dealing with how the group plans to implement consequences should a member violate the code of conduct or class or school rules. What actions will the group take if a member violates the academic integrity policy? How will the team handle a situation where the instructor discovers a violation made by a group member?
The development of an MOU can be used as a graded class assignment or simply as a required group activity. If grading MOUs, use a rubric and share it with students when the assignment is given.
Considerations
- Time allocation: plan for time spent helping groups develop their MOU, monitoring progress, and fielding questions.
- Grading: if you plan to grade the MOU, use a well-developed rubric.