Indiana University Institutional Policy - Conflict of Interest

SUBJECT: Conflict of Interest

SOURCE: State Statute #35-44-1.3, Section 2.50

POLICY NO: P - 3.3

DATE ISSUED: February 18, 1992

RATIONALE:

No university employee may use his or her purchasing authorities for personal gain. These steps are taken to ensure that all job related decisions are made on sound business principles.

POLICY:

State Statute #35-44-1.3, Section 2.50 - Conflicts of Interest; public servants:

"A public servant who knowingly or intentionally: (1) Has a pecuniary interest in; or (2) Derives a profit from; a contract or purchase connected with an action by the governmental entity served by the public servant commits conflict of interest, a Class D felony."

Purchasing professionals at Indiana University shall annually sign conflict of interest statements.

DEFINITIONS:

Conflict of interest occurs when a person's private interests and his or her university responsibilities are at odds. This means an individual should not be in a position to gain personally as a result of conducting business on behalf of the University. Employees engaged in any aspect of the purchasing process are expected to be free of interests or relationships which are actually or potentially detrimental to the best interests of Indiana University. For instance, employees should not be conducting university business with a company he or she substantially owns or with businesses substantially owned by close relatives.

PROCEDURE REFERENCE:

Purchasing employees annually file Conflict of Interest Statements with the University Director of Purchasing. Prior to any situation with the potential for a conflict of interest, complete disclosure shall be made to the University Director of Purchasing to allow sufficient opportunity for appropriate review.
Solicitation Process Procedures

CROSS REFERENCE:

RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATION:

University Purchasing Department

Last Reviewed: October 27, 2004