Frequently Asked Questions
What is meant by "Conflict of Interest"?
A "conflict of interest" in a university setting generally refers to situations in which the external interests of a university employee have the potential to influence his or her decisions in his or her university role. The influence is generally in ways that could lead to personal gain (financial or non-financial) for the individual or immediate family members.
I don't consult and am not involved in a start-up company or in making purchasing decisions, so conflict of interest doesn't apply to me. Right?
Wrong. Conflicts of interest can occur in a varity of situations. Conflicts of interest can occur any time a university employee is in a position to influence university decisions in ways that could lead to personal gain (financial or non-financial) for the individual or immediate family members. Review the Examples of Conflicts of Interest; to get an idea of the range of conflicts of interest possible.
What happens if I ignore the possible conflict of interest situation?
ISU policies on conflicts of interest are intended to help protect you from accusations of improper use of state time or resources for personal gain, or from accusations that your external interests are compromising the integrity of your research. Because of the seriousness of conflicts of interest, ISU policy requires employees to disclose potential conflicts of interest situations annually, or whenever their situation changes. Violation of this policy constitutes academic misconduct. In some cases, the failure to disclose and manage conflicts of interest is also a violation of state and federal regulations.
How do I disclose potential conflicts of interest?
Whether you think you have a conflict of interest or not, full-time faculty and P&S staff are required to disclose potential conflict of interest situations. Using the AccessPlus system, go to the Empoyee Tab and click on "COI Disclosure" and fill in the Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form. Your answers to the questions will be forwarded to representatives of the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, who can evaluate your situation. If a conflict of interest is possible, they will contact you to arrange further discussions and, if needed, develop an appropriate Conflict of Interest Management Plan.
How often do I disclose potential conflicts of interest?
All full-time faculty and staff are required to disclose, whether you have a conflict or not,
- at least once a year, generally in the month of January, or
- at the beginning of your employment, or
- whenever your situation changes.
Where can I get help with conflicts of interest?
- ISU COI Policy: Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, Phone (515) 294-9591, e-mail:
- COI in Research, Consulting, or Sponsored Funding: Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Phone (515) 294-8700, e-mail:
- COI in Procurement: Director of Purchasing, Phone: (515) 294-8757, e-mail:
I am uncomfortable discussing my situation. Where can I get confidential advice?
Access to the information you provide in a conflict of interest disclosure is restricted to authorized personnel involved in the conflict of interest management process. However, if you wish to discuss your situation with a confidential resource prior to making a disclosure, you may contact the Ombuds Office at . The Ombuds Officer can listen to your concerns and may be able to suggest options to resolve them.
