Asking is risky. You can't be confident that what you are told is fully in accordance with the by-laws of your university. The general attitude in universities

Asking is risky. You can't be confident that what you are told is fully in accordance with the by-laws of your university. The general attitude in universities is that you as a researcher should read and understand everything that pertains to your activities. Being a squeaky wheel is like having a target painted on your back.