Research@UIC > Conflict of Commitment and Interest > Policies & Regulations > Preamble

Preamble

Policy

Preamble
Overview
Policy
Procedures
Appendix
Policy Clarification

Active participation by academic staff members in external activities that enhance their professional skills or constitute public service can be beneficial to the University as well as to the individual. Because such activities can lead to conflicts of commitment or interest with regard to one's University responsibilities, the need exists for a general framework against which the propriety and advisability of non-University activities can be measured and monitored.

This University of Illinois Policy on Conflicts of Commitment and Interest provides such a framework and identifies procedures for consultation and advice on conflicts of commitment or interest matters, for resolution of situations in which a conflict may exist, and for approval of exceptions when warranted. The Policy makes every effort to balance the integrity and interests of the University of Illinois with the integrity and interests of individual academic staff members. To that end, the Policy attempts not only to identify and eliminate or manage actual conflicts of commitment or interest but, whenever possible, to prevent even the appearance of conflicts. The Policy provides for remedies to manage conflicts constructively and for sanctions when the Policy is violated.

This Policy implements an Illinois law requiring University faculty members to obtain prior written approval before engaging in remunerated private consulting or research for external persons or organizations. It also implements various policies set forth in the University Statutes and The General Rules Concerning University Organization and Procedure. Finally, the Policy accommodates federal regulations designed to protect the integrity of federally funded research. Relevant excerpts from University, state, and federal documents appear in the Appendix.