The University’s Conflict of Interest and Commitment Policy which is approved by the Corporation of Brown University requires annual and ongoing disclosures of staff potential or actual conflicts of interest or commitment. Brown University requires you to complete a Conflict of Interest and Commitment Disclosure form annually, which also helps to ensure you are aware of the obligation to comply with the highest ethical standards when performing your duties. All decisions and actions taken by you as a member of the Brown community in the conduct of University business should be made in a manner that promotes the best interests of Brown University.

The responsibility of determining whether or not you have a conflict rests solely with Brown University. In many cases, it is crucial to consider whether others may perceive there to be a conflict of interest or commitment, regardless of whether it actually exists. This can be difficult to do when you are evaluating potential conflicts involving yourself. This is why the Conflict of Interest and Commitment process does not ask you whether you have a conflict. Instead, it asks you to provide a list of your financial and other outside interests so that the parties responsible for reviewing the disclosure can evaluate these against your University responsibilities to determine if potential conflicts exist.

Yes, you are required to submit the form annually. The annual disclosure requirement does not apply to seasonal/intermittent staff; however, they are still subject to the policy. In some instances, changes during the year may require you to submit an updated form.

The annual process takes place between February and March each year. Annual reporting is completed electronically in Workday. When the annual process begins in February, you will receive instructions on how to complete the disclosure form. The information collected on the form is for the previous calendar year (January through December) to align with the receipt of income forms/statements and preparation of taxes.

You can view Conflict of Interest and Commitment Disclosure forms you have submitted in the past by running the My Conflict of Interest and Commitment Forms report in Workday. This report will also allow you to view your management plan and any other attachments you added to your disclosure form.

No, the Conflict of Interest and Commitment Disclosure process is not available via the Workday mobile app.

If a situation develops during the year that presents a potential, actual, or perceived conflict of interest or commitment, you are required to submit an updated Conflict of Interest and Commitment Disclosure form. Items requiring disclosure include (but are not limited to) starting a new business or taking a second job, joining the board of an outside organization, being elected to a government office, or having a family member enroll in an academic program or begin employment at Brown.

Yes, you are required to disclose your child’s enrollment at Brown. As many staff positions could influence a student’s experience in and outside of the classroom, disclosure is required to ensure that necessary steps will be taken to avoid the appearance of differential treatment.

Brown University’s Conflict of Interest and Commitment Policy defines family member as:

• Spouse or domestic partner
• Parent, stepparent, or parent-in-law
• Child, stepchild, child-in-law
• Sibling, step-sibling, or sibling-in-law
• Grandparent or step-grandparent
• Grandchild or step-grandchild
• Guardian, ward, or other member of one’s household

It depends. If your second position did or will result in earnings of $5,000 or more, you must disclose the position, even if it is a consulting arrangement and not formal employment with another company. Disclosing a position that will result in earnings above this threshold will help ensure that the second position will not interfere with scheduling and performing your Brown duties. Staff members are required to obtain their supervisor’s approval to receive remuneration from Brown and an outside source for the provision of identical services. While it is permissible to hold a second position outside of Brown, disclosing outside employment helps ensure any potential, actual, or perceived conflict of interest or commitment is documented and adequately managed.

Yes, you are required to disclose any equity or ownership interest in a privately held company. Therefore, any ownership interest in a legal entity (whatever its business structure) must be disclosed even if the company has no assets and generates no income for you.

No, these do not need to be reported. In general, any investment vehicle where you have no control over the acquisition of individual stock is excluded from reporting.

It depends. If the investment portfolio is such that you have control over individual stock purchases, even if you rarely or never exercise it, the stock holdings are reportable if they meet the reporting criteria and threshold value of $5,000 during the calendar year or 12-month period and are related to your University responsibilities and professional expertise.

Yes, employees are prohibited from using University resources, including the brown.edu email account, when conducting political activities including while holding a public office. Additional information can be found in the Political Activities Policy, Brown's Acceptable Computer Use Policy and Email Policy.

Yes, personal gifts from these individuals in excess of $100 or of undetermined value must be returned immediately. Individual departments may have stricter gift restrictions. This does not apply to personal gifts received outside of your relationship with Brown, such as birthday gifts between relatives. 

Yes, personal gifts valued at up to and including $100 can be accepted, but staff are required to report the gift both to their supervisor when received and during the annual Conflict of Interest and Commitment Disclosure process.

Managers are responsible for reviewing all Conflict of Interest and Commitment Disclosure forms for their direct reports to ensure the information accurately reflects their knowledge and determine whether the conflict requires a management plan. Some reported disclosures may require further review by a Conflict of Interest and Commitment Review Committee consisting of staff representation from University Risk Management, Audit & Compliance; University Human Resources; and others as deemed appropriate. If necessary, the Office of General Counsel may also review and advise.

Depending on the conflict, subject matter experts from across the University may be brought in to review the management plan and suggest revisions.