Annual Policy Notifications
| To: |  |
All University Faculty and Staff |
| From: | Tom W. Rice, Associate Provost for | |
| Susan C. Buckley, Vice President for Human Resources | ||
| Jordan Cohen, Interim Vice President for Research and Economic Development | ||
| Re: | Annual Policy Notifications | |
| Date: | February 4, 2011 |
This memo presents information on several University policies that are important for UI faculty and staff members to be aware of and abide by. Please take a moment to review all of the policies.
Policy on Conflicts of Commitment and Interest in the Workplace
The University of Iowa and its employees are committed to the principle of free, open, and objective inquiry in conducting and upholding its teaching, research, and service missions. Accordingly, it is crucial that University activities be conducted in an atmosphere that is free of conflicts of interest compromising this principle. For the purpose of protecting the integrity and objectivity of its employees in the performance of their University obligations, conflicts of interest should be avoided where possible, or otherwise disclosed and managed. Conflicts of commitment involve a commitment of time that interfere with the performance of University obligations and may arise when an employee engages in an outside activity that interferes, or appears to interfere, with the fulfillment of the employee's duties to the University.
Management of conflicts: Occasionally, relationships or activities create a conflict of either commitment or interest that must be disclosed and managed so as to avoid violation of state or federal law and/or basic principles of ethics and fairness. The existence of a conflict is not always clear-cut. University employees are expected to make a reasonable effort to determine whether their relationships and activities create, or appear to create, such conflicts. If there is any uncertainty, employees should consult their departmental executive officer (DEO) or equivalent. To review the complete policy on Conflicts of Commitment and Interest, see http://www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/18.htm.
For employees of UI Health Care, specific requirements relating to the UI Health Care Conflict of Interest Policy can be found at http://www.uihealthcare.com/about/conflictofinterest/index.html.
Policy on the Use of the University Name
The use of the University name for any purpose in any activity that is not part of, or is unrelated to, the fulfillment of the missions of the University, and that is not previously sanctioned by the Office of the Director of University Relations is prohibited. Please note that this policy was amended in November 2010. To review the complete policy on Use of the University name, see http://www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/33.htm
University Intellectual Property Policy
The scholarship and creative work done by faculty, staff and students can often lead to intellectual property in the form of patentable inventions or copyright protected works. The University's policy governing this http://www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/v/30.htm#303 describes when these must be disclosed to the University of Iowa Research Foundation and how revenue from licensing/commercialization will be distributed. This policy also addresses university employee responsibility related to assignment of this IP to any outside entity during the course of consulting activities.
Policy on Supplemental Activities and Extra Compensation
This policy addresses various situations to ensure that University employees do not benefit inappropriately from their activities. Please note that this policy was amended in March 2010. To review the full policy, see http://www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/iii/17.htm#1717. Key elements are highlighted below:
17.17(1) Use of University Supplies
Other than library materials and assigned office space, faculty and staff members shall not use University supplies, materials, equipment, or services for non-University activities, without first obtaining approval and arranging for the payment of the total cost for such use.
University stationery or letterhead shall not be used in connection with professional extramural activities with the exception of professional service (for examples, see the policy).17.17(3) Royalties from Course Materials
Faculty members should not profit from recommending or requiring the purchase of course materials by their students. Faculty members should either refund the money to the students or make other arrangements to avoid profiting from their students' use of the materials (e.g., transferring the funds to the UI Foundation).
17.17(4) Employment on Grants and Contracts
With special exceptions, grant or contract funds are not to be used to augment the full-time salary of University employees.
"Gift Law" (Prohibition of Giving and Receiving Gifts)
In general under Iowa state law (Iowa Code Chapter 68B), public employees (which includes University of Iowa employees) and members of their immediate family may not accept gifts of more than $3 in value from restricted donors (see policy for definitions of "gift" and "restricted donors"). "Restricted donors" includes supervisees and has been interpreted broadly to include students in one's classes and graduate student advisees. To review the complete policy on Prohibition of Giving and Receiving Gifts, see http://www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/ii/35.htm
Policy on Purchasing Conflicts of Interest
Purchases from employees must be pre-approved by the Board of Regents. Employee shall mean a paid employee of the State of Iowa, the employee's spouse or minor children, and any firm of which any of those persons is a partner or sole proprietor, as well as any corporation of which any of those persons holds five percent or more stock either directly or indirectly."
To review the complete policy on Purchasing Conflict of Interest, see http://www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/v/11.htm#1114