Contract Templates & When to Use Them

I. Agreement Descriptions

A. CSU Addendum to Contract

• Use when a vendor requires CSU to sign their contract, but additional CSU legal terms must be attached to comply with University System of Georgia and Georgia law requirements.

B. CSU Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

• Use for cooperative relationships, not purchases.
• An MOA describes how two or more parties (institutions, agencies, organizations, or groups) will work together toward a shared goal or project.
• Typically used for partnerships, academic collaborations, or cooperative programs.

C. CSU General Services Agreement

• Use when CSU hires a company to provide services.
• Appropriate when the vendor:
  • Is a corporation, partnership, or LLC
  • Has employees interacting regularly with CSU personnel
  • May access confidential information (student records, financial data, systems)
• This is the University’s primary services contract and should be used instead of the Independent Contractor Agreement when working with an established business.

D. CSU Independent Contractor Agreement

• Use when CSU hires an individual or small vendor to perform services, and they qualify as an independent contractor under USG BOR Policy 5.5.
• Questions about classification should be directed to Human Resources/Legal Affairs.

E. CSU Speaker Contract

• Use for short-term speaking engagements when an individual is presenting or participating in a specific event lasting one or two days.

F. CSU Consulting Agreement

• Use when CSU hires an individual to provide professional expertise, such as:
  • Legal
  • Accounting or financial
  • Medical
  • Architectural
  • Educational training or instruction

G. Foundation Agreements

• Use only when the CSU Foundation (not the University) is the contracting party or paying the vendor.
• Available templates:
  • Foundation Speaker Contract
  • Foundation Performer Contract
  • Foundation Independent Contractor Agreement
  • Foundation Addendum
• Foundation agreements may also be required when a vendor demands terms the University cannot legally accept (for example: indemnification, attorney fees, or non-Georgia governing law).
• These can only be used if Foundation funds are available, and the Foundation approves the purchase.

II. Accessing the Forms

To access these forms, please log in to MyCSU and go to the Forms tab in the top navigation.

III. Questions

If you are unsure about which agreement to use, contact the Office of Legal Affairs.