questionable circumstances that may arise and to resolve any real or apparent conflicts.
A conflict of commitment is a situation in which an individual engages in outside activities, either paid or unpaid, that interfere with the individual's primary professional obligations and commitments to KSU.
A conflict of interest is a situation in which an individual's financial, professional, or other personal considerations may directly or indirectly affect, or have the appearance of affecting, the individual's professional judgment in exercising any KSU duty or responsibility.
An entity is any business, company, or other organization—including any partnership, corporation, limited liability corporation, or unincorporated association—whether for-profit or not-for-profit.
Institutional responsibilities are responsibilities expected and performed on behalf of KSU for which a faculty or staff member is employed and compensated by KSU.
An outside professional activity is any paid or volunteer activity undertaken by a faculty or staff member of KSU outside of the scope of his or her employment at KSU. Outside professional activities may include consulting, participation in civic or charitable organizations, working as a technical or professional advisor or practitioner, or holding a part-time job with another employer—whether working in a role identical to one's KSU occupation or in any other role.
Conflicts of commitment occur when the time or effort that an employee devotes to external activities interferes with the employee's fulfillment of assigned KSU responsibilities, or when the employee makes unauthorized use of KSU resources in the course of performing an external activity. Employees are expected to devote their primary professional loyalty, time, and energy to KSU's teaching, research, and service endeavors; activities outside KSU must be conducted without detracting from these primary commitments.
Attempts to balance KSU responsibilities with outside activities—such as consulting, government service, public service, or pro bono work—can result in conflicts concerning the allocation of time and energy.
Employees intending to engage in an external activity that requires contributing significant efforts on activities outside the scope of their KSU employment must complete a Conflict of Commitment and Interest Disclosure Form and receive written approval from the Vice President of their respective areas. Individuals may be required to take a leave of absence from KSU to proceed with the external activity, at the discretion of their supervisors.