Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1994 [PAGE 508]

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496

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[February 8

time is not an automatic entitlement and requires prior written approval by the unit executive officer. Assuming prior approval has been given for an external activity, academic staff members are expected to arrange the outside obligations, financial interests, and activities so they do not impede or conflict with their University duties and responsibilities. Released time is not normally available for activities that are primarily personal in nature, that do not enhance the academic staff member's professional skills, or that are not a potential benefit to the University. With the exception of the types of activities indicated in Section III. E below, remunerated activities must be reported whether related to one's professional duties or not. Approval will be denied only if a conflict of commitment or interest is present, as elaborated in this Policy. This Policy is generally not concerned with unremunerated activities, whether of a charitable or professional nature. However, when any activity interferes with an academic staff member's responsibilities to the University, including accessibility by students, staff, and other clients, a conflict of commitment will exist. 2. Conflict of Interest Principles Because a role of the University is to create and disseminate knowledge, an academic staff member must avoid external commitments which would encumber one's choice of subject matter and/or research strategies. In addition, a delay in disseminating information (i.e., publication of research results, seminars, etc.) for inappropriate periods of time must be avoided. When consulting privately with external entities, academic staff members are acting in their individual capacities and must make it understood that they are not acting on behalf of the University. To this end, academic staff members may wish to include in private consulting arrangements reference to this Policy and to refer questions to the Vice Chancellor for Research. An academic staff member may use his/her University title when signing reports and letters pertaining to outside work so long as it is clear to the recipient that the University title is used for identification only. Official University stationery shall not be used in private outside work. In general, University facilities and resources should not be used for non-University activities. Such use is limited to those activities that enhance the academic staff member's University-related professional skills and requires prior written agreement from the unit executive officer. It is improper for an academic staff member, without prior written approval, to divert to external entities or other institutions opportunities for research support that could have been obtained by the University. In order to protect the University's intellectual property rights and comply with federal guidelines and the University commitment to technology transfer, an academic staff member must make University obligations known to external entities with whom business is contracted and provide them with a statement of relevant University policies governing inventions and discoveries. University intellectual property may not be assigned to other entities without prior approval through established University procedures.