REFERENCES AND RELATED POLICIES
"Compendium of Specialized University Policies, Guidelines and
Regulations Related to Conflict of Interest," Revised April 1984, see
Supplement I
Consult this compendium in addition to this policy should the question
of a possible conflict of interest arise.
Guidelines for Disclosure and Review of Principal Investigator's
Financial Interest in Private Sponsors of Research and Independent
Substantive Review, Revised April 1984.
UCSD Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM)
523-9 Employee-Vendor Policy
PURPOSE
To establish procedures for the review of Principal Investigator's
Statements of Economic Interests, Exhibit A, and identification of
designated University officials who are required to file Statements
of Economic Interests. This policy also incorporates the
Employee-Vendor policy as established in August, l982.
After consulting these policies, guidelines and regulations, if
questions have not been answered, consult the Conflict of Interest
Coordinator, Ext. 6465.
POLICY
The University's overall policy on conflict of interest is that none of
its faculty, staff, managers or officials shall engage in any activities
which place them in a conflict of interest between their official
activities and any other interest or obligation.
The University's Conflict of Interest Code, developed in response to the
Political Reform Act of 1974, requires that all University employees and
officers disqualify themselves from
participating in a University decision when a financial conflict of
interest is present.
Designated Officials
University employees and officers who are in positions which
make decisions or participate in the making of decisions which
may foreseeably have a material effect on their financial
interest are Designated Officials. These positions are
identified by the Fair Political Practices Commission.
The University of California's "Policy on Disclosure of Financial
Interest in Private Sponsors of Research" implements regulations of the
California Fair Political Practices Commission. The Policy requires that a Principal Investigator disclose whether he or
she has a financial interest in a private sponsor of a research project
funded in whole or part through a contract, grant, or gift of $250 or
more from a non-governmental entity.
The required disclosure is made using a Principal Investigator's
Statement of Economic Interests, Form 730-U, Exhibit A, when a
gift has been given and/or a proposal has been submitted to a
non-governmental entity.
Accordingly, gifts or contracts/grants awarded to the University
are reviewed according to pre-determined principles and to
other established policies guiding the conduct of sponsored
research. An Independent Review Committee comprised of faculty
with varied fields of expertise will apply these principles
in their considerations to assure the Principal Investigator,
the University community, and the public of the proper conduct
of the review process. The following principles apply:
Traditional conflict of interest situations should continue to be
avoided.
Research is appropriate to the University.
The teaching and research environment is open.
Freedom to publish and to disseminate research results is preserved.
Licensing agreements require thorough review.
University facilities and resources are used appropriately.
PROCEDURES
All Employees
Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an employee has a financial
interest in a University decision. There is a financial
interest if an employee can reasonably foresee that the
decision will have a material effect on:
Any business for profit or any real property, located in
California, which has a direct or indirect worth over
$1,000.
Any source of income (other than loans made in the regular
course of business by a commercial lender) totaling $250
or more in value received or promised within 12 months
before the decision is made.
Any business entity in which an employee is a director,
officer, partner, trustee, employee, or holds any
management position.
Disqualification Requirements
If an employee determines that a financial conflict of
interest does exist; in order to disqualify him/herself
from making or participating in the making of a
University decision, an employee must:
Notify the Conflict of Interest Coordinator, the department
head, and the immediate supervisor in writing, briefly
stating the reasons for disqualification.
The disqualification statement will be placed in the
employee's personnel file and the supervisor will assign
the matter to another employee.
The disqualified employee must refrain from participating
in any way in the decision or use employee status to
influence any other person with respect to this matter.
Designated Officials
Designated officials shall file required Statements of
Economic Interests within time limits prescribed by law.
Designated Officials must:
File a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of assuming office;
Disqualify themselves from participating in decisions in which they have
a personal financial interest;
File an annual statement provided by the Office of the President; and
File a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of leaving office.
Staff and Academic Personnel Offices must:
Notify the Conflict of Interest Coordinator of changes in personnel in
designated positions;
Include information on the Conflict of Interest Code in job
announcements for designated positions.
Provide the ``Political Reform Act Disqualification Requirements''
pamphlet to all new career employees as well as to each career employee
every other year; and
Review all new classifications with the Conflict of Interest Coordinator
to determine if the classifications are eligible for submittal to the
Fair Political Practices Commission as designated positions.
Conflict of Interest Coordinator must:
Personnel Offices of designated positions on an annual basis.
Notify and provide forms to designated officials to file on assuming or
leaving office.
Annually update Designated Officials list to submit to the Office of the
President.
Submit to the Office of the President new classifications (position
descriptions) deemed appropriate to be presented to the Fair Political
Practices Commission for consideration as designated positions.
Principal Investigators
Principal Investigators must disclose any financial interest in private
sponsors of research.
The term ``financial interest'' means:
A direct or indirect investment in the sponsor worth more than $1,000
(also known as ``Equity (Ownership) Interest''), or if a Principal
Investigator's spouse or dependent child has a financial interest in the
sponsor; or spouse, or dependent children own directly, indirectly or
beneficially a 10 percent interest or greater in any business entity.
A position as director, officer, partner, trustee, employee of or any
other position of management in the sponsor, or
Income from the sponsor (including consulting income) of $250 or more in
value, or $50 if the income was a gift, received by or promised to the
Principal Investigator within 12 months prior to the time an award is
made.
Statement of Economic Interests, Exhibit A
Principal Investigator (PI)
Completes a Principal Investigator's Statement of Economic
Interests, Form 730-U, Exhibit A, obtained from the Office of
Contract and Grant Administration or Development in the following
situations:
Before final acceptance of a contract or grant proposal ($250 or more)
from a non-governmental entity; or
Before final acceptance of a gift from a non-governmental entity which
is earmarked by the donor for a specific research project or a specific
Principal Investigator; or
Before final acceptance of renewed contract or grant funding from a
non-governmental entity; or
A contract or grant has expired; or
Gift funds have been completely expended.
Forwards completed Principal Investigator's Statement of Economic
Interests to Office of Contract and Grant Administration along with
contract or grant proposal, or to Development Office along with
Gift/Private Grant Acceptance Report.
Principal Investigator's Statement of Economic Interest is not
required if the donor is on the Exceptions List of Non-Governmental
Sponsors of Research issued by the Vice President-Academic Affairs.
The exceptions list is on file at the Office of Contracts and
Grants and the Gifts and Endowments Office.
Office of Contract and Grant Administration or Development
Sends Statement of Economic Interests to Principal Investigator
before a contract, grant or gift is accepted.
Reviews returned Statement of Economic Interests for completeness.
Then forwards Statement of Economic Interests to Conflict of
Interest Office with a copy of the proposal if a positive statement is
received.
When grant/contract project is completed, requests Statement of
Economic Interests from Principal Investigator.
Conflict of Interest Office
Reviews Statement of Economic Interests for completeness.
If answers to questions in section C and D are ``No'' (recorded as a
``negative statement''), maintains the official public record of the
Statement of Economic Interests.
If answers to any questions in section C and D are ``Yes'' (recorded as
a ``positive statement''), requests additional information from the
Principal Investigator through a supplemental questionnaire or other
inquiries.
If a positive statement, any monies received under a contract, grant or
gift may not be expended until the Independent Review Committee and the
Chancellor have formally reviewed and approved such acceptance.
Such monies received prior to the above approval shall be retained by
the Accounting Office in a Cash Received Undistributed or Interest
Bearing account.
Refers positive Statement to the Independent Review Committee on
Conflict of Interest.
Advises the Office of Contract Administration and/or the Development
Office of the outcome of the review.
Supplies updates of exception list to Gifts & Endowments
and Contracts and Grants Offices.
Independent Review Committee on Conflict of Interest
Reviews the Statement of Economic Interests and accompanying
documents, guided by the following practices and applying them as
appropriate:
Assures adherence to relevant University policies, guidelines, and
regulations.
Considers to the extent possible, the nature and extent of the financial
interests in the relationship of the Principal Investigator to the
sponsoring entity.
Gives special consideration to conditions of research agreements and the
relationship between the Principal Investigator and the sponsor.
Obtains additional information from the Principal Investigator when
necessary.
Incorporates into the review the principles as determined by policy
which are:
Traditional conflict of interest situations should continue to be
avoided.
In the conventional sense, conflict of interest refers to situations in
which employees may have the opportunity to influence the University's
business decisions in ways that could lead to personal gain or give
advantage to firms in which employees have an interest.
Principal Investigators, like all University employees, are expected to
continue to separate their University and private interest in accordance
with existing University policies and State law.
Research is appropriate to the University
The research must be appropriate to the mission of the University, i.e.,
promising significant contributions to scholarship and knowledge and,
when possible, providing appropriate opportunities for students.
The suitability of the research should be judged according to the
standards of the discipline and should be guided by the principles and
policies of Regulation 4, Special Services to Individuals and
Organizations.
The teaching and research environment is open
The teaching and research environment should continue to promote the
free exchange of ideas, information, and materials among students and
faculty in all of their forums-classrooms, laboratories, meetings,
and anywhere in the University.
Selection of students for participation in the research project should
not be inappropriately influenced by the interest of the sponsoring
firm.
Freedom to publish and to disseminate research results is preserved
Consistent with current University policies, there should be no limits
placed on the freedom to publish, except for short periods of delay that
permit a sponsor to comment or to permit filing of patent applications
in coordination with University of California patent policies.
Licensing agreements require thorough review
If the principal investigator has a financial interest in the sponsoring
firm, justification for granting of an exclusive license to the
sponsoring firm will require careful review to ensure that the best
interests of the public and the University are served.
This review should be coordinated with the Office of Contracts and Grant
Administration for consideration in the negotiation of patent rights.
If necessary, the Office of Contracts and Grants will contact the Patent
Administrator for assistance.
University facilities and resources are used appropriately
As is currently the policy, University resources-supplies, equipment,
and facilities, as well as staff time-must not be used for the
benefit of the firm without proper compensation
Employee-Vendor Policy (see PPM 523-9)
It is University policy to separate an employee's University and private
interests and to safeguard the University and its employees against
charges of favoritism in the purchase of goods and services.
No purchase of goods or services shall be made from any employee or near
relative thereof unless there has been a specific determination that
such goods or services are not available from either commercial sources
or the University's own facilities.
An employee must submit a report to his/her department when making a
proposal, or learning that one has been made, and when any of the
following circumstances exists:
The employee acting alone proposes for a consideration to rent or sell
goods or to provide services to the University.
The employee owns or controls more than 10% interest in any business
which proposes for a consideration to rent or sell goods or to provide
services to the University.
A near relative of the employee, acting alone or under the direct or
indirect suggestion of the employee, proposes for a consideration to
rent or sell goods or to provide services to the University.
A near relative of the employee owns or controls more than 10% interest
in any business which proposes for a consideration to rent or sell goods
or provide services to the University.
If the requesting department determines that the described goods and
services are available from commercial sources or campus facilities,
but due to unusual or extenuating circumstances desires an exception to the
Employee-Vendor Policy, the department then submits a request for
exception to the Purchasing Division.
Purchasing Division then reviews the departmental request and recommends
to the Material Manager that an exception be
granted where such request provides sufficient justification.
The request for exception is then approved or disapproved by the
Material Manager.
EXHIBIT A
Supplement I
COMPENDIUM OF SPECIALIZED UNIVERSITY POLICIES
GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS RELATED TO CONFLICT OF INTEREST
1. | Standing order of the Regents 103.1 (b),
Special Provisions Concerning
Officers, Faculty Members, and Employees of the University-Service
Obligations | 2 |
2. | University Regulation No. 3, Privileges and Duties of Members of the
Faculty | 2 |
3. | University Regulation No. 4, Special Services to Individuals and
Organizations | 2 |
4. | University Regulation No. 5, Academic Freedom | 2 |
5. | University Policy on Faculty Conduct and Administration of Discipline,
including The Faculty Code of Conduct | 3 |
6. | Policy on Outside Professional Activities of Faculty Members | 3 |
7. | Policy on Additional Compensation for Services as Faculty Consultant,
Academic Personnel Manual | 3 |
8. | Statement on Conflict of Interest | 3 |
9. | Instructions to Review and Appraisal Committees, Academic Personnel
Manual | 3 |
10. | Policies Regarding Patents | 4 |
11. | Policies on Appointment of Near Relatives | 4 |
12. | Policy on Acceptance or Offering of Gifts and Gratuities by University
Employees | 4 |
13. | Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students
(use of university facilities | 4 |
14. | Conflict of Interest Code (financial) | 4 |
15. | Policy Regarding Employee-Vendor Relationships | 5 |
16. | Materiel Management, Business and Finance Bulletin BUS-43 | 5 |
17. | Independent Consultants, Business and Finance Bulletin BUS-43 | 6 |
18. | Internal Audit Code of Ethics 6 | 6 |
19. | University of California Police Rules and Regulations | 6 |
20. | Policy on Disclosure of Financial Interest in Private Sponsors of
Research | 6 |
Standing Order of The Regents of the University of California 103.1(b),
Special Provisions Concerning Officers, Faculty Members, and Employees
of the University-Service Obligations (January 22, 1971).
| Summary: |
No portion of time due the University shall be devoted to private
purposes and no outside employment shall interfere with performance of
university duties. |
University Regulation No. 3, Privileges and Duties of Members of the
Faculty. Section 3a (February 15, 1935).
| Summary: |
Faculty are assumed to devote full ``working'' time to the university.
Service includes classroom teaching, conference with students, studying
and writing, research, committee work, administration, and public
service, with time devoted to each varying with, and dependent upon,
involvement with each type of activity. |
University Regulation No. 4, Special Services to Individuals and
Organizations (June 23, 1958) and Principles Underlying Regulation No. 4
(June 23, 1958).
| Summary: |
Faculty may render professional or scholarly services for compensation
and may engage in the practice of their professions to maintain
professional competency if such service does not interfere with
university commitments and if it gives experience and knowledge of value
to his teaching or research; is suitable research through which he may
make worthy contributions to knowledge; or is appropriate public
service. When consultants or outside services are such as to interfere with
recognized university duties, they may be undertaken only on the basis
of a leave of absence.
University laboratories, bureaus, and facilities are not to be used for
work of a purely commercial character except when it can be shown
conclusively that satisfactory facilities for such services do not exist
elsewhere. |
University Regulation No. 5, Academic Freedom (June 15, 1944).
| Summary: |
The function of the university is to train students in process whereby
truth is to be made known.
Its obligation is to see that conditions under which questions are
examined are those which give play to intellect.
To convert or make convert is alien and hostile to this dispassionate
duty.
When considering political, social, or sectarian movements, they are to
be dissected and examined-not taught-and the conclusion left to
the logic of the facts. |
University Policy on Faculty Conduct and Administration of Discipline
(June, 1974), including The Faculty Code of Conduct (May, 1974)
| Summary: |
The policy includes in its statement on ethical principles that the
professor ``determines the amount and character of the work he does
outside his institution with due regard to his paramount
responsibilities with it---'' The
policy also lists as one type of unacceptable conduct the ``unauthorized
use of university resources or facilities on a significant scale for
personal, commercial, political, or religious purposes'' and contains
sanctions where abuse is demonstrated. |
Policy on Outside Professional Activities of Faculty Members (April 13,
1979).
| Summary: |
Amplifies previously issued policies on expected duties of a faculty
member and clarifies expectations of performance of compensated or
uncompensated outside professional activities which relate to a faculty
member's academic specialty.
Requires annual reports on such activities to departmental chairpersons. |
Policy on Additional Compensation for Services as Faculty Consultant,
Academic Personnel Manual Section 664 (October 1, 1981).
| Summary: |
If not regularly engaged on the project concerned, a member of the
faculty may, on occasion, receive additional compensation for consultant
services on projects conducted under the auspices of the university |
Statement on Conflict of Interest (issued by the President, October 5,
1967 and October 12, 1967).
| Summary: |
The statement recognizes the potential conflict of interest from
sponsored research, consulting contracts, and staff involvement in the
management of private companies and illustrates for guidance the kinds
of situations which may give rise to conflicts of interest (excerpted
from a 1964 joint statement of the American Council on Education and the
American Association of University Professors). |
Instructions to Review and Appraisal Committees, Academic Personnel
Manual Section 210 (June 21, 1977).
| Summary: |
The instructions state the ``Superior intellectual attainment, as
evidenced both in teaching and in research or other creative
achievement, is an indispensable qualification for appointment or
promotion to tenure positions.'' Creative
work includes recognized artistic production in architectural or
engineering design; professional competence; demonstrated distinction in
the profession; and public service, service to the community, state, and
nation. |
University Policy Regarding Patents (April 1, 1980).
| Summary: |
In order to equitably administer intellectual property, the discoveries
and inventions of members of the faculties, employees, and others
associated with the university are subject to the patent policy.
The use of university facilities or services, particular assignments of
duties, possible claims of a cooperating agency where research is
supported from extramural funds, and other situations may give rise to a
complex of interrelated equities or rights.
Specific requirements of the policy are set forth, including No. 4,
which states: ``An agreement to assign inventions and patents to The
Regents, except those resulting from permissible consulting activities
without use of university facilities, shall be mandatory for all
employees---'' By letters of March 13, 1980, January 14, 1976,
and July 14, 1976, and their attachments, President Saxon extended
patent policy regulations to non-compensated researchers, certain
visiting scholars and consultants, and graduate students. |
Policies on Appointment of Near Relatives, Academic Personnel Manual
Section 520, revised 1971, and Staff Personnel Policy 211.26 (January 1,
1980).
| Summary: |
Appointment of near relatives in the same department is permitted,
subject to reasonable safeguards against conflict of interest. |
Policy on Acceptance or Offering of Gifts and Gratuities by University
Employees (February 6, 1980).
| Summary: |
No officer or employee should accept any gift or gratuity from any
source which is offered or appears to be offered because of the
university position held by the officer or employee.
This document also prohibits offers of a gift or gratuity by university
officers or employees and defines gifts and gratuities. |
Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students
(January 3, 1979).
| Summary: |
Included in this document is the policy that university facilities may
be used only for university-related purposes or in furtherance of such
purposes. |
Conflict of Interest Code (financial), approved by the Fair Political
Practices Commission, January 26, 1978, with requirement of April 1,
1980, as the date for initial filing.
| Summary: |
The Code requires public filing of financial disclosure statements by
designated officials and disqualification from governmental
decision-making of any employee who has a financial interest.
Programmatic teaching and research decisions under the Code. |
Policy Regarding Employee-Vendor Relationships (August 19, 1982).
| Summary: |
Goods or services shall not be purchased from a university officer,
employee, or near relative unless there is a specific determination that
the goods or services are not available otherwise. |
Materiel Management, Business and Finance Bulletin BUS-43
(October 22, 1979).
Part 2: Responsibility and Authority, Section X (p. 15a), Personal Purchases.
| Summary: |
University credit, purchasing power, and facilities shall not be used to
purchase goods or services for individuals or non-university activities.
Organizations and activities closely allied to or officially associated
with the university (such as a faculty club or an ASUC), with the
approval of the chancellor, may be permitted to purchase materials that
are not subject to federal tax through the campus Materiel Management
Office. |
Part 9: Employee-Vendor Relationships (pp. 35-37).
| Summary: |
Determination-No purchase, lease of goods, or contract for service
shall be made from any employee or near relative unless there has been a
specific determination by the Materiel Manager or designee that goods or
service are not
available either from commercial sources or from the
university's own facilities.
Inspection-The responsible administrative officer or representative
whenever necessary to ensure an understanding of facts presented shall
inspect the business premises and records of an employee-vendor or
near relative-vendor from whom the university is considering
acquiring goods or services.
Exceptions-Each responsible administrative officer is delegated
authority, within constraints imposed by the Political Reform Act, for
approving exceptions to policy when there are unusual or extenuating
circumstances.
This delegation may be redelegated to specific designees, but this
authority may not be further redelegated. |
Introduction (pg. 1) and Appendix B, Principles and Standards or
Purchasing Practice Advocated by National Association of Purchasing
Management, and Code of Ethics of National Association of Educational
Buyers.
| Summary: |
The university is committed to maintaining high standards of preformance
based upon fair, ethical and professional business practices.
It, therefore, expects each Materiel Manager and anyone else authorized
to make purchases to abide by the purchasing codes of conduct attached
in Appendix B. |
Independent Consultants, Business and Finance Bulletin BUS-43
(July 8, 1981).
| Summary: |
Proposals from independent consultants shall include the name and
university position of any officer, faculty member, or other employee of
the university who holds a position of director, officer, partner,
trustee, manager, or employee in the consultant organizations.
Selection of the independent consultant shall be made on the basis of
qualifications, resources, experience, needs of the university, and cost
to the university.
In the selection process, any officer or employee participating in the
decision must keep in mind the disqualification requirements for
financial conflict of interest of the State of California Political
Reform Act of 1974.
The university policy regarding employee-vendor relationships applies
to services as an independent consultant.
if an employee-vendor relationship exists, the reporting requirements
of Business and Finance Bulletin BUS-43 shall be followed.
(NOTE: These provisions apply also to independent contractors.) |
Ethical Professional Conduct: Internal Audit Code of Ethics
| Summary: |
The university subscribes to the Code of Certified Internal Auditors,
which subscribes to avoidance of any conflict of interest or
manifestation of bribery. |
University of California Police Rules and Regulations (March 1, 1974).
| Summary: |
The regulations include the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics as an
introduction and a section on Code of Conduct for University Police
employees.
Specifically, employees shall conduct their private and professional
lives in such a manner as to avoid bringing discredit upon the
department or upon themselves and, for example, shall not solicit or
accept gratuities, use one's position to obtain privileges, or permit
endorsement for advertising purposes based upon the employee's
university position. |
Policy on Disclosure of Financial Interest in Private Sponsors of
Research (April 8, 1982).
| Summary: |
University Policy on Disclosure of Financial Interest in Private
Sponsors of Research issued by President Saxon on April 9, 1982, and
State regulations mandated by the Fair Political Practices Commission
under the Political Reform Act (2 Cal. Admin. Code Section 18705)
require that a principal investigator must disclose whether or not he
has a direct or indirect financial interest in the sponsor of research
which is funded in whole or in part: 1) through a contract or grant of
$250 or more with a non-governmental entity; or 2) by a gift from a
non-governmental entity which is earmarked by the donor for a specific
research project or a specific principal investigator, provided the
amount of the gift, or the aggregate over a 12 month period, from the
same donor is $250 or more.
When an interest by a principal investigator in the sponsor is
disclosed, a campus committee must review whether or not the contract,
grant or gift can be accepted. |
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