FA-5010 Faculty Conflict of Interest and Commitment

1.0      Purpose

To set forth standards for VTCSOM faculty regarding conflict of interest and conflict of commitment, in accordance with university guidelines. 

2.0      Policy

Information about the Virginia Tech Conflict of Interest policy may be found in the VT faculty handbook, and in University Policy 13010 (Individual Conflicts of Interest and Commitment).  VTCSOM follows all established policies, procedures and guidelines of the university in this regard.  VTCSOM also has a specific procedure pertaining to faculty teaching responsibilities, which is outlined below. 

3.0      Procedures

VTCSOM faculty will follow a code of conduct that avoids any conflict of interest, or appearance of conflict of interest, between the performance of the faculty member’s academic duties and any outside personal interests. Conflicts of private interest may include, but are not limited to, personal activities, appearances, or scheduled visits; or absences that interfere with the faculty member’s ability to fulfill teaching, facilitating, clinical oversight, research oversight, mentorship or other VTCSOM academic responsibilities. Similarly, a conflict of private interest may occur when a faculty member has financial, political, religious, ethnic, or other obligations that interfere with the ability to fulfill VTCSOM academic responsibilities.

The faculty member should recognize that a conflict of interest may be occurring or has the potential to occur. It is expected that faculty will disclose any new conflict of interest immediately upon such conflict occurring. If a faculty member has a conflict of interest that is interfering with VTCSOM academic responsibilities, the faculty member should approach or be directed to the department chair to discuss steps to be taken that would avoid or mitigate the conflict.  The chair should seek resolution of the conflict.  If no resolution is reached, the faculty member, or the chair on the faculty member’s behalf, should begin the process of reducing academic responsibilities. This may include decreased teaching, facilitating, oversight or other opportunities. If no satisfactory reduction in responsibilities can be reached, the faculty member will be expected to resign from their faculty appointment.

4.0      References

• University Policy 13010 (Individual Conflicts of Interest and Commitment)