FACULTY HANDBOOK July 2009 - Morgan State University

PAGE 48 * Morgan State University Faculty Handbook2.15. Use of University ResourcesUniversity resources shall not be used in rendering consulting services unless therehave been prior arrangements with the responsible administrator for reimbursement.There must be a written identification of the costs, and agreement specifying whenthe costs will be reimbursed.I. Conflict of Interest and Conflict of CommitmentA. DefinitionA conflict of interest arises when a faculty member influences, or is in aposition to influence, the institution's decisions for personal financial gain orbenefit. A conflict of commitment situation arises when outside activitiessubstantially interfere with the person's obligation to students, colleagues, orthe institution.B. Procedures for Resolving Issues of Conflict of InterestAny faculty member or professional staff member engaged or seeking to beengaged in consulting work who has reason to believe that there may be aconflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of interest, should:1. Inform the Department Chair or responsible administrator of thepossible conflict;2. Consult the State Ethics Commission for an official opinion. The StateEthics Commission has the sole authority to interpret the State EthicsLaw.3. The Department Chair or responsible administrator may suspendconsulting work pending an opinion by the State Ethics Commission.2.16 Limitation on Outside EmploymentThe University reserves the right to limit outside employment where a supervisor imposessuch a limitation as part of a plan to remediate employee job performance deficiencies, orwhere the President’s designee determines that an employee’s outside activities constitutea conflict of interest or conflict of commitment. A waiver may be granted by the Presidentin unusual or exceptional circumstances. A written request for a waiver should be made tothe Department Chair, the Dean, the VPAA and to President or President's designee forfinal review and approval. The request should contain a detailed explanation of services tobe rendered and an explanation of the unusual circumstances which may warrant a waiverof the normal policy.2.17 Endorsement of the UniversityA faculty member or professional staff member shall not convey through hisor her outside work an endorsement by the University of the recommendations or results.The faculty member must include a statement in any document which reports the results orrecommendations of the consulting activities that the contents of the report orrecommendation are not those of Morgan State University.A. No individual shall enter into an agreement for consulting services whichconflicts with the University's policies on intellectual property without theexpress written consent of the President.