Faculty are asked to self identify whether they have a situation which may represent a conflict of interest or commitment to their position at the University of Michigan. They do this by answering four questions:
- Do you or your family members have any paid or unpaid activities or relationships outside of your UM employment related to your UM work or position?
- Do you or your family members receive anything of value from an organization related to your UM work or position?
- Do you or your family members own any interest in an organization related to your UM work or position?
- Do you or your family members have any loans to or from any organization related to your UM work or position?
If the response to any one of these questions is positive, then a situation exists that must be disclosed. The faculty member is then prompted for a brief description of the activity and answers a few further questions to indicate whether the faculty member feels that the activity represents a potential conflict of interest or commitment. The disclosure is then recorded and submitted to the faculty member’s reviewer, typically the department chair or program director, for approval.
If the chair or program director approves the activity, then no further action is necessary.
If the chair or program director disagrees with the faculty member’s determination that the activity does not represent a conflict of interest or commitment, then the department chair has the option of returning the reported disclosure to the faculty member.