Guidelines on Conflict of Interest
The following are official SUNY Research Foundation Guidelines on Conflict of Interest.
As used in this section the term Research Foundation shall mean The Research Foundation of State University of New York. The term "officer" and "employee" shall include any person representing or acting on behalf of the Research Foundation in any capacity in a program or project sponsored through the Research Foundation.
The Rule with Respect to Conflicts of Interest
No officer or employee of the Research Foundation should have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business or transaction or professional activity or incur any obligation of any nature, which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his/her duties in the best interests of the Research Foundation.
Standards
- No officer or employee of the Research Foundation should accept other employment which will impair his/her independence of judgment in the exercise of his/her duties and responsibilities.
- No officer or employee of the Research Foundation should accept employment or engage in any business or professional activity which will require him/her to disclose confidential information which he/she has gained by reason of his/her position or authority.
- No officer or employee of the Research Foundation should use or attempt to use his/her position to secure privileges or exemptions for himself or herself or others.
- No officer or employee of the Research Foundation should engage in any transaction as representative or agent of the Research Foundation with any business entity in which s/he has a direct or indirect financial interest that might reasonably tend to conflict with the proper discharge of his/her duties or responsibilities.
- An officer or employee of the Research Foundation should not by his/her conduct give reasonable basis for the impression that any person can improperly influence him/her or unduly enjoy his/her favor in the performance of his/her duties, or that he/she is affected by the kinship, rank, position or influence of any party or person.
- An officer or employee of the Research Foundation should abstain from making personal investments in enterprises which s/he has reason to believe may be directly involved in decisions to be made by him/her or which will otherwise create conflict between his/her duties in the best interests of the Research Foundation and his/her private interest.
- An officer or employee of the Research Foundation should pursue a course of conduct which will not raise suspicion that s/he is likely to be engaged in acts that are in violation of his/her trust.
Disclosure
All apparent conflicts of interest must be disclosed to the Campus President or his/her designee, or, for employees of the Albany Office of the Research Foundation, to the President of the Research Foundation for review and determination of whether a violation of this statement exists. Any determination by the Campus President or his/her designee shall be forwarded to the President of the Foundation.
Complaints or Inquiries
All complaints or inquiries concerning possible violation of this Conflict of Interest Statement should immediately be reported to the Campus President or his/her designee, or for employees of the Albany Office of the Research Foundation, to the President of the Research Foundation, for review and a determination as to whether a violation of this statement exists. Any determination by the Campus President or his/her designee shall be forwarded to the President of the Research Foundation.
Violations
In addition to any penalty contained in any provision of law, any such officer or employee who knowingly and intentionally violates any of these provisions may be suspended from employment with the Foundation or his/her relationship with the Foundation terminated.
