From time to time we have to execute a nondisclosure agreement with a
commercial firm, and I have always been a bit uncertain about who should
sign.  The senior executives can sign for the institution, but in an
academic environment they do not normally have enough day-to-day control
over the handling of the information; the professor does control the
information flow but can't sign for the institution.  When the agreement
is not part of a sponsored project, the institution has even less formal
control.  I've had it done a few different ways now.  Fortunately there
has been no bad incident, but I'd appreciate any advice or tips on how
to make the commitment to such agreements solid and useful.

Stuart Ross
Director, Grants & Contracts
California State University, Fullerton
xxxxxx@fullerton.edu