Metro State is taking steps to make sure that professors are aware of an important conflict-of-interest policy that has existed for years, but that is easy to miss, according to college attorney Lee Combs.

The Policy for Outside Personal Activity and Relationships, found on pages 35-36 of the College Handbook, creates a safe harbor for faculty who have employment outside Metro to report that work, have it evaluated and approved by the college, and avoid the possible charge of conflict of interest that could otherwise result.

The policy also protects employees whose friends or family members want to take a course from them or work with them, Combs said, by requiring the employee to disclose the personal relationship and work with supervisors to avoid situations in which their professional objectivity could be called into question.

"This policy is about personal and institutional integrity," said Combs. "It allows faculty to do the part-time consulting, performing, publishing and other compensated activities that enhance classroom skills and professional credentials. Faculty members traditionally have done such outside work, always taking care to meet their obligations to students, colleagues and the institution. At the same time, the policy provides assurance that the college is getting full-time work for full-time pay, and that evaluations of performance in the classroom and on the job are not unfairly influenced by personal relationships."

Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Joan Foster said, "I'm approaching this as if it were a new policy being phased in. I encourage faculty to err on the side of reporting for their own protection, and I intend to be generous in granting permission where justification is offered by the faculty member and chair. In this way, we can all learn more about the impact of this policy and make any adjustments required for the benefit of faculty, staff, and students."

Forms for compliance will be posted on the Academic Affairs Website after Sept. 13 at http://www.mscd.edu/~aa/faculty/forms.htm