Faculty Handbook

Conflict of interest

OSA is committed to being as transparent as possible with respect to financial arrangements.  Carefully review any financial transactions or other business dealings for your program.

Financial transaction or business dealings that might pose a conflict of interest should be disclosed pursuant to the Faculty Conflict of Interest Policy. That Policy specifies that “a conflict of interest exists when a faculty member’s financial interests or other opportunities for tangible personal benefit may compromise, or reasonably appear to compromise, the independence of judgment with which the faculty member performs his/her responsibilities at the University.” Disclosure is especially important in the event of a contract between MSU and an outside company or organization in which you hold a significant financial interest, even when you are not initiating or taking an active role in assessing or negotiating the contract. When the interest meets or exceeds certain standards established by state law, such a contract must be approved by the Board of Trustees.

For more information regarding this situation, see Study Abroad Financing: Q&A regarding practices at MSU.