UNIVERSITY RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
Table of Contents:
- Purpose
- General Information
- Exhibit and Instructions
- Form Requirements
- Number of Copies and Ultimate Distribution
- Where To Send Completed Forms
- Contact Information
- Cross References
Use of Google Chrome Required:
NOTE: Google Chrome must be used to access the GURU website and for completing and/or downloading fill-and-print forms. Firefox, Internet Explorer, and/or Microsoft Edge browsers do not support all features required for fill-and-print form functionality. Substitutes for an official University form (created using a different browser or scanned copies) will be returned along with the request to use the Chrome version of the form.
Purpose:
The University Release and Indemnification Agreement is to be used by non-University groups (hereafter referred to "Organization") using University facilities to protect the University from liability.
General Information:
The issuing office is responsible for completing all fill-and-print form fields located at the top of the University Release and Indemnification Agreement and the Campus/College Contact information at the bottom of the agreement prior to sending to Organization for signature.
The Organization requesting use of University facilities must return the signed University Release and Indemnification Agreement along with the Certificate of Insurance to the Campus/College contact person listed at the bottom of the agreement, using the Contact Person PSU Email.
The issuing office must forward a copy of the signed agreement along with the Certificate of Insurance to psucontracts@psu.edu at least two (2) weeks prior to the date of the event. The issuing office retains the original and the Organization's Certificate of Insurance.
Please contact Risk Management with any insurance questions for non-University groups.
Refer also to Policies:
- AD02 Non-University Groups Using University Facilities
- AD18 Possession, Use and Distribution of Alcoholic Beverages
- AD26 Sale of Food and Beverages at University Locations
- AD27 Commercial Sales Activities at All University Locations
- AD39 Minors Involved in University-Sponsored Programs or Programs Held at the University and/or Housed in University Facilities
Exhibit and Instructions:
This form has fill-and-print form fields and digital ID (signature) fields enabled. The PDF version has instructions provided for the type and/or format of information to be included within the fill-and-print form fields. Hovering the computer mouse over any form field within the PDF will display these instructions. See Converting Web-based Documents to PDF Documents for details. See Applying Digital IDs on PDFs (general instructions) for instructions on adding signatures
For step-by-step instructions on completing the University Release and Indemnification Agreement, click on link below:
University Release and Indemnification Agreement Exhibit
Form Requirements:
No form may be used that substitutes for an approved official University form without prior review and approval by the steward of the form/central office, as facilitated by the Office of Systems and Procedures (designated representative of the Associate Vice President for Budget and Finance). See Policy FN17 Required Use of Approved University Forms Appearing in the General University Reference Utility (GURU) for full details.
Accessing GURU Forms:
GURU PDF forms are designed for use with Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat Pro. Each browser (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc) has a built-in PDF viewer making it the default PDF viewer without asking users. These built-in viewers do not necessarily support all features required for PDF Forms. Similarly, many calculations are not supported by other stand-alone PDF readers (for example, Nuance). If you experience problems downloading or opening documents, right click on the link on the Forms Locator Screen, select 'Save Link As' (or similar language) and save the file. The document can then be opened in either Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat Pro from the saved location.
The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for free. Contact your IT support staff person for downloading assistance, if/as needed. An Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) account is also available to all Penn State students, faculty, and staff members, at no cost. Sign up for an Adobe Creative Cloud account at adobe.psu.edu. If Adobe Acrobat Pro better suits your needs, contact your IT support staff person for purchasing and installation assistance.
Web-based Documents:
Clicking the form download icon on any of the form instruction pages on GURU will open a web-based version of the form. While it appears to have fill-and-print fields available, not all functionality may be available for use (i.e. digital ID fields). With some exceptions (see below), it will be necessary to convert these web-based documents to PDF documents.
Converting Web-based Documents to PDF Documents:
In order to have a version with all PDF capabilities enabled, click the "Fill & Sign in Acrobat" or "Open with Acrobat" icon located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. This icon must be clicked before entering any information. A new versions of the document will open. Complete this version and save the document in a location where you will be able to locate it.
If, upon opening the PDF in Google Chrome, the Fill & Sign in Acrobat icon does not appear in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, it will be necessary to enable Adobe Acrobat extension. Please visit Enable Adobe Acrobat extension for Google Chrome for instructions to enable Adobe Acrobat extension.
Exceptions:
Combining PDF Documents:
There may be times when it is necessary to combine multiple PDF documents into a single document for submission. In those instances, complete the following steps:
- Click on the appropriate form in GURU
- Complete the fill-and-print boxes on the web-based form
- Click the printer icon located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen
- Change Destination to Microsoft Print to PDF using the drop-down arrow
- Click Print at the bottom of that panel
- Enter a file name in the box at the bottom of the pop-up window and be sure to select a location where you will be able to relocate the document
- Click Save
Repeat this process for each document that will be combined (each file name must be different from the previous)
- Now, open one of the completed PDF documents and on the far right select combine files
- Click Add Files and select the files to be combined
- Click Combine
- The new document will have the title "Binder," rename the document and save again
Applying Digital IDs on PDFs (general instructions)
This form has the Digital ID (applying an electronic signature to the document) process enabled. If, upon opening the PDF in Google Chrome, the following does not appear in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, it will be necessary to enable Adobe Acrobat extension

Please visit Enable Adobe Acrobat Extension for Google Chrome for instructions to enable Adobe Acrobat Extension.
Clearing Fill-and-Print Form Fields Entries:
This form has the "Clear Form" Bookmark enabled. To clear ALL form fields:
- If left-hand column is not displayed when the document is open, click the small arrow located at about the mid-point of the left-hand side of the screen to reveal the column
- Click "Bookmarks" (looks like a ribbon)
- Click "Clear Form"
If you encounter any difficulties, contact the GURU support staff by submitting a Technical Support form request or by calling the tech support line at 814-863-8592.
Number of Copies and Ultimate Distribution:
Document: | Ultimate Distribution: | Retention Periods: | Disposition Method: |
---|---|---|---|
Original and Organization Certificate of Insurance | Issuing Office | End of fiscal year +2 years | Paper document = Secure Bin disposal or shred Electronic Document and Data = delete and empty computer recycle bin |
Copy* | Contract Review Team in Procurement Services | End of fiscal year +2 years | Paper document = Secure Bin disposal or shred Electronic document and data = delete and empty computer recycle bin |
*Transitory/Disposable Records are University Records that have temporary value and, as a result, may be destroyed after they are no longer needed. In no event shall be retained longer than the official copy of the University Records as delineated on the Records Retention Schedule.
Where to Send Completed Forms:
The issuing office emails a copy of the completed, signed agreement along with the Organization's Certificate of Insurance to psucontracts@psu.edu at least two (2) weeks before the scheduled event. The issuing office is responsible for retaining the official University Record (original agreement and the Organization's Certificate of Insurance) as stated in the distribution table (above).
Contact Information:
For questions, additional detail, or to request changes to this form, contact psucontracts@psu.edu.
Cross References:
- Policy AD02 Non-University Groups Using University Facilities
- Policy AD18 Possession, Use and Distribution of Alcoholic Beverages
- Policy AD26 Sale of Food and Beverages at University Locations
- Policy AD27 Commercial Sales Activities at All University Locations
- Policy AD35 University Archives and Records Management
- Policy AD39 Minors Involved in University-Sponsored Programs or Programs Held at the University and/or Housed in University Facilities
- Policy FN17 Required Use of Approved University Forms Appearing in the General University Reference Utility
(2/15/2022)