Client Rights and Responsibilities

As a client of the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship, you have certain rights and responsibilities.

As a CCE client you have the right to expect:

1. Consulting assistance offered at no charge. Because the CCE program is supported by funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration, MUW and the CCE, consulting is provided at no charge to you. A nominal cost may be incurred for certain workshops by clients to help offset the workshop overhead.
2. Confidentiality of Information provided. All CCE representatives agree to abide by the Mississippi University for Women and the Small Business Administration Standards of Professional Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy. Information you provide will be held in strictest confidence and will not be released to any parties outside of the CCE network. Information on you will not be sold or provided to other organizations. Specific information on you and the nature of your business with the CCE will not be released without your consent. No information you provide will be used to the commercial advantage of any CCE staff or to the advantage of a third party.

Exceptions:

• Information about the CCE service delivery is reported in aggregate to its funders and the general public. Specific information about you will not be released without your consent.
• The CCE will collect and report in aggregate to its funders and the general public information on you such as demographic statistics: size, location, age and industry of your business; the general nature of your business with the CCE; and impact statistics such as financing obtained, sales increased or jobs created.
• If you were referred to the CCE, the CCE will notify the referrer that you have sought assistance from the CCE. The CCE, however, will not disclose in detail the nature of the assistance received.
3. Unbiased Recommendations. CCE personnel will not knowingly recommend the purchase of goods or services from any individual or firm with which any CCE personnel has a financial, family, or personal interest.
4. Non-Disclosure of trade secrets. Sensitive trade secrets pertaining to unique facts of your business will not be used to benefit another client of the CCE or any CCE personnel. You understand that sensitive trade secret information is information which is not obvious, which is unknown, or which is unique and pertains to new inventions, secret manufacturing and processing procedures or formulas, or any new innovative process. You understandthat it is your responsibility to inform the CCE of any such sensitive trade secrets both verbally and in writing.
5. Assistance, Guidance, Recommendations and Education. The CCE program is an education-based entrepreneurship center. The CCE will work with you on your specific issues to help build your management skills and knowledge. It is your responsibility to accept and implement recommendations. The CCE will not:

• negotiate on your behalf
• write your business plan
• act as an employee of your business

As a CCE client you are responsible for:

1. Participating in Surveys. Because this program cares about the quality of services provided, and because it is primarily funded with public support, the CCE undertakes a number of initiatives to ensure quality and impact of services provided to you. Your feedback is critical to the long-term success of this program.
2. Informing Legislators about the service. Consulting services are provided at no charge to you because of financial support of the Small Business Administration.
3. Accepting responsibility and waiving all claims. In recognition that you are ultimately responsible for the success or failure of your business and that all decisions regarding implementing plans and operating your business are solely your responsibility, you hereby waive any claims of damages against the host university, the CCE and its staff, the U.S. Small Business Administration, based on any advice or information provided by the CCE.