PRIVACY ISSUES: How much do I have to disclose?

Enough to assure there are no COIs.

· All consulting or other professional services (Category II or III) related to your area of professional expertise at MTU

· Self-authored textbooks, royalties, etc. (III)

· Supervision of relatives (III)

· Use of university resources (III)

· Significant financial interests (>$10K/year) in outside activity related to MTU responsibilities (Category IV)

· Entrepreneurial activities related to your professional expertise (Category IV)

· Purchasing from vendors with which you have a financial relationship (Category V)

· Business Relationships with Subordinates (V)

CONFLICT OF COMMITMENT: If I’m doing my job, why does my supervisor need to know about my outside activities?

Maybe they don’t. But if in doubt, disclose to supervisor OR Coordinator.

HOW DO I DETERMINE IF I HAVE A “SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL INTEREST” (>$10,000 per year)? WHERE DO I DRAW THE LINE WITH EQUITY INTERESTS?

Follow NSF guidelines now included in COI Procedures.

WHAT ABOUT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST THAT ARE NOT FINANCIAL IN NATURE?

The COI procedures do state that the “gains…may include other forms of benefit such as power or political advantage.”

The specific forms of “power and political advantage” covered in the COI procedures include

· Supervision of relatives

· Use of university resources

· Purchasing

· Business Relationships with subordinates (including students)

Other forms of “power and political advantage” can be dealt with through departmental and university grievance procedures, or the affirmative action office.