Conflict of Interest
Teachers College is implementing updated Conflict of Interest (COI) policies and processes to improve transparency, integrity and accountability. Our goal is to provide helpful guidelines for entering into and conducting relationships in a manner that will protect the interests of the College, the objectivity of the instructional and research programs of the College, and individual academic integrity, as well as to comply with legal and federal requirements. Outside interests and relationships should enhance, not compromise, one’s role as a member of the College community as well as one’s ability to meet College responsibilities.
The College’s dedication to integrity is unwavering, and these policies will ensure that TC community members continue to lead academic excellence and ethical conduct through honesty and objectivity, supporting the College’s mission statement.
What is a Conflict of Interest?
A Conflict of Interest occurs when an employee's personal or professional interests could compromise, or appear to compromise, their professional judgment and decision-making on behalf of Teachers College. This includes, but is not limited to, situations where:
- Employees' outside interests or activities may result in a direct or perceived benefit to themselves, potentially influencing their actions or decisions in their College role.
- Employees use College property or resources to advance personal interests.
- Direct or indirect supervisor/employee relationship exists with a family or household member, which could affect impartiality.
- Employees engage in outside activities or foreign affiliations that could conflict with the College’s interests or their ability to perform their duties effectively.
What is a Financial Interest and Significant Financial Interest (SFI)?
A financial interest is any economic stake that an employee or their family members hold that might affect or appear to affect the employee's ability to perform their duties impartially and in the College's best interest. This includes ownership in stocks, bonds or other forms of securities, as well as income from employment, consulting fees and honoraria. It also encompasses interests in intellectual property rights, such as patents or copyrights, that could benefit financially from the employee's professional actions or decisions.
A significant financial interest (SFI) is a specific subset of financial interests that are substantial enough to raise concerns about conflicts of interest. An SFI is typically defined by thresholds outlined in the policy, which could include, but are not limited to:
- Income exceeding $5000 from any entity in the past 12 months, such as salary, consulting fees or honoraria.
- Equity interests in publicly traded entities that exceed a specific value or percentage ownership.
- Any equity interest in non-publicly traded entities, regardless of its value.
- Intellectual property rights and interests that have generated income or are likely to do so.
SFIs must be disclosed to the College to ensure they do not compromise, or appear to compromise, the integrity of the employee’s professional duties and the College's operations.
Get Started
This year’s annual COI disclosure cycle will last from October 1 - 21, 2024:
- Register for the Cayuse System Training. We encourage employees to complete either a self-guided training or an instructor-led training before the disclosure cycle begins.
- Review the new Conflict of Interest Policies and Disclosure Forms in the Policy Library.
What's Changing?
Policies
The College has established the following policies for staff, faculty and research personnel to guide the identification, avoidance and disclosure of conflicts of interest. This revision aims to enhance transparency, uphold the highest ethical standards and ensure the integrity of the College.
Process
Through the Summer and Fall, we will introduce and train all applicable employees and non-employees on the new conflict of interest policies, how to use the new disclosure and research administration platform Cayuse, how to complete a disclosure form, and the varying types of information that should be disclosed during a reporting cycle, and throughout the year as actual or potential conflict of interests arise. Some key highlights of the new policies and procedures include:
- Cayuse, a Conflict Disclosure and Research Administration System
- Easy to Comprehend Disclosure Forms for all Policies
- The Conflict of Interest Review Committee (COIRC) Will Review all Actual and Potential Conflicts, and Create Management Plans for all Employees
- System Training is Available and Mandatory for all Applicable Employees and Non-Employees
Timeline
Use this timeline as a guide to keep track of COI policy implementations, user training initiatives, and reporting cycles.
|
Date |
Milestone/Activity |
|
July 29 |
New Conflict Policies Available in the Policy Library |
|
August 5 |
Registration for Training Opens (All Employees) |
|
August 20 - 30 |
In-Person Training Begins (All Employees) |
|
August 19 |
Self-Paced Training Course Available in Canva (All Employees) |
|
September 3 - 30 |
Disclosure Reviewers and COIRC Members Training |
|
September 24 |
Research & Sponsored Funding COI Roundtable & Training |
|
October 1 - 21 |
Annual Cycle begins to complete the 2024 Annual COI Disclosure Form. Note: We strongly encourage you to complete either a self-guided training or an instructor-led training before the disclosure cycle begins. |