OVERVIEW

A Conflict of Interest (COI) can arise when an employee pursues personal interests that compete with the interests of the university. An employee is motivated to make decisions and take actions that are affected by bias and personal considerations.

Conflicts of Commitment arise when an employee fails to accord the university professional loyalty and engages in outside activities which conflict with his/her professional commitments to the university.

COI Policies are an important set of codes of ethics or standards of conduct for employees. These policies prohibit conflicts of interest unless the conflicts are waived and may also prohibit conflicts of commitment.

Employees must understand the procedures for identifying, disclosing and managing potential conflicts to help avoid and eliminate them.

Below, you will find links to campus, state and federal policies related to COI, as well as disclosure procedures and management templates.

CAMPUS POLICY

Conflict of Interest and Nepotism (300-006)

The thrust of the two policies is that while there is no prohibition against relatives working in the same department or unit, an employee may not appoint, nor participate in the decision-making process to appoint, a relative to a position within the University. The decision on the appointment must be made by someone other than the relative. Once such an appointment has been made, subsequent decisions on the salary, promotion, and all perquisites and benefits of the employee must be made by someone other than the relative, even though the relative may be the supervisor to whom the employee reports.

For Questions Contact: Human Resources hrcomply@uccs.edu or call 719-255-3385.

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COI DISCLOSURE:

• All employees must submit a Conflict of Interest Disclosure within 60 days of hire and thereafter annually, and within thirty (30) days when there is a change impacting the actual or perceived conflicts of interest or commitments. Disclosures shall include nepotism, outside employment, outside financial interests and other activities implicating university interests to be reviewed for possible conflicts of interest or commitment. Access the online disclosure form here.

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TEMPLATES

For COI-related forms, please visit the HR Forms & Templates website.

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RELATED LINKS

A. Administrative Policy Statements (APS) and Other Policies

1. Article 8: Conduct of Members of the University Community
2. APS 2006, Retention of University Records
3. APS 2027, Code of Conduct
4. APS 4013, Disclosure of Interest
5. APS 4016, Fiscal Code of Ethics
6. APS 5003, Nepotism in Employment 6 100-001 Campus Policy Process
7. APS 5012, Conflicts of Interest and Commitment in Research and Teaching
8. APS 5015, Conflict of Interest in Cases of Amorous Relationships
9. Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Integrity – Conflict of Interest Webpage
10. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
11. State Board Rule 1-13 and 1-14
12. Constitution of the State of Colorado Article XXIX Ethics in government (Amendment 41)
13. (D) of Regent Policy 5.C.4 - Other Terms and Conditions of Faculty Appointments.
14. Enhanced Whistleblower Protection
15. Records Retention Schedule

B. Procedures

1. UCCS COI Website
2. UCCS Annual Disclosure Survey

C. Forms

1. Alternate Work Schedule
2. Employee as Student
3. Family Member as Student
4. Management Plan
5. Outside Employment for Faculty (One-Sixth Rule)
6. Outside Employment for Staff
7. Textbook Management

D. Research:

1. Resources for Research Ethics Education: Provides regulations, guidelines and case study examples for managing COI within the scope of research.