Conflicts of interest occur when there is a competition between a member of the university community’s private interests and the member’s professional obligations to the university such that an independent observer might reasonably question whether the member’s professional actions or decisions are determined by any considerations other than the interests of the university Faculty and staff complete forms upon hire and when situation changes. The Department Head approves all CoI forms (electronic), sent for second level approver in case of declared conflicts. The Department Head should also discuss how to manage activities to avoid conflicts (e.g., recusing from committees) and make sure that everything is disclosed.

Examples of Conflicts:

• Maintaining full-time paid employment at another institution/organization that interferes with work performance and/or attendance.
• Excessive private consulting or advisory committee service, even if it is in the public interest or pro bono.
• Taking a significant management role in a non-NMSU entity as part of consulting activities
• Holding an elective political office
• The presence of a real or apparent incentive for the faculty/staff member to decide an issue in such a way as to have the opportunity for financial interest in the result
• Using NMSU resources or staff for non-NMSU projects or granting external entities access to the same, in more than an incidental way, unless permission has been given and the activity benefits the university.

Examples of Permitted Activities:

• Faculty consulting for private companies not in excess of one day per week during that portion of the year when drawing an academic or summer salary.
• Serving on advisory committees of public or private concerns for the benefit of the university, even if an honorarium is paid for such activities, as long as it does not interfere with work performance and attendance.
• Acting as an editor or reviewer for a professional society journal
• Preparing chapters, textbooks or monographs related to teaching, research or service activities, even if paid royalties as an author or editor
• Occasional lectures, colloquia or seminars to disseminate results of university-related teaching, research or service activities
• Holding an office in a professional society

For more information on conflict of interest, please click here.