Vice President for
Ethics and Compliance

Resources

Reportable Outside Activity Form Guidelines

Guidelines for Completion of the Reportable Outside Activity Form

In accordance with Purdue University's policy on Conflicts of Commitment and Reportable Outside Activities (III.B.1), no employee may engage in a Reportable Outside Activity until:

1) The employee has submitted the Reportable Outside Activity on a Reportable Outside Activity Form and

2) The Unit Head or OA Officer has given written approval for the employee's participation in the Reportable Outside Activity described in the form.

In determining whether a Reportable Outside Activity constitutes a Conflict of Commitment, the University will consider whether such activity is to take place during the normal weekday business and/or instructional hours of the University or when an employee is in paid or unpaid leave status.

A Reportable Outside Activity Is...

Any work, advice or service for an entity other than Purdue University that may potentially result in a Conflict of Commitment. The term includes, but is not limited to:

• Participation in any business enterprise as owner, partner, officer, supervisor, manager or in any capacity with management responsibilities
• Service as an officer, director, trustee or public representative of a professional association, educational institution, nonprofit organization, national commission or board, or foundation
• Consulting
• Having responsibility for any course at, or representing oneself as a faculty member at, any other school or university
• Conducting external research that would ordinarily be conducted as part of the employee's duties with the University
• Service on an advisory council or scientific advisory board of a company or organization other than a state or federal agency
• Volunteer work that involves a commitment of time that may interfere with the employee's ability to fulfill his or her responsibilities to the University; volunteer work that takes place on Saturday or Sunday or outside of the regular business or instructional hours of the University generally will not pose a Conflict of Commitment
• For faculty and exempt employees, any other employment with or service to an outside entity where compensation in the form of money, services, goods or other consideration of value is received.

A Reportable Outside Activity Is Not...

• Volunteer work that does not interfere with the employee's ability to fulfill his or her responsibilities to the University
• A hobby or recreational activity
• A religious activity
• Preparing and publishing scholarly communications such as books, articles and other creative works
• Peer review of manuscripts and grant proposals
• Editing of scholarly or professional publications or service on editorial boards for scholarly or professional publications
• Service without compensation, or with honoraria less than $1,000 annually, 1) on governmental agencies and boards, 2) on granting agency peer-group review panels, 3) on advisory groups for other universities or 4) in similar capacities primarily for the purpose of providing a public or University service.

Clerical and Service Staff

Due to the nature of their appointments and responsibilities, outside employment and other Reportable Outside Activities of nonexempt or clerical and service staff members that take place during off hours or during leave time will in most circumstances not divert their attention from university duties and will not represent a Conflict of Commitment. However, if for a specific Reportable Outside Activity, interference with such employee's normal University duties may occur, approval of such outside employment or Reportable Outside Activity is required.

Consulting

Consistent with its missions of discovery, delivery and engagement, the University encourages its tenured and tenure-track faculty to practice their professions. Such practice is often enhanced by engaging in consulting. Such consulting by tenure and tenure-track faculty, when combined with all other Reportable Outside Activities, generally may not exceed, on the average, one business day per week during the term of such employee's appointment.

Consulting is defined as an employee's use of his or her professional capabilities and knowledge for the benefit of a third party in return for immediate or prospective gain. Consulting does not generally include service without compensation, or with honoraria less than $1,000 annually, 1) on governmental agencies and boards, 2) on granting agency peer-group review panels, 3) on advisory groups for other universities or 4) in similar capacities primarily for the purpose of providing a public or university service.

Volunteer Activities

Employees need only report volunteer work that involves a commitment of time that may interfere with the their ability to fulfill their responsibilities to the University; volunteer work that takes place on Saturday or Sunday or outside of the regular business or instructional hours of the University generally will not pose a Conflict of Commitment.

Submitting the Reportable Outside Activities Form

Completed forms must be signed by the employee and submitted to his or her Unit Head. A Unit Head is the applicable dean, vice chancellor, chancellor, associate or assistant vice president, vice president, Executive Vice President for Business and Finance and Treasurer, associate or assistant provost, Provost, or President who has executive management responsibilities for supervising the employee.