Definitions

Click on the following terms to learn more.

Expand allConflict of Interest

A situation where an individual has financial, professional, or personal considerations that may affect, or have the appearance of affecting, their professional judgment in conducting University responsibilities. A conflict of interest may arise when an individual has the opportunity or appears to have the opportunity to influence the University’s business, administrative, academic, research, or other decisions in ways that could lead to financial, professional, or personal gain or advantage of any kind. See: BTRU 1.18: Conflicts of Interest and Commitment

Conflict of Commitment

A situation where an individual engages in external activities, either paid or unpaid, that interfere with their primary obligation and commitment to the university.  See: BTRU 1.18: Conflicts of Interest and Commitment

Outside Employment

Secondary jobs held by state employees outside of state government. Full-time university employees are not permitted to engage in outside employment which will result in a conflict of interest or conflict of commitment.  See: HR 1.30: Outside Employment

Outside Professional Activities

Activities, compensated or uncompensated, that are within a faculty member’s area of professional expertise and communicate that expertise through interaction with industry, government, the community, or the public. Outside professional activities must not interfere with a faculty member’s obligations to the University. When potential conflicts exist, faculty may be asked to adjust their activities and/or develop a conflict management plan. See: ACAF 1.50: Outside Professional Activities for Faculty

Disclosure Process

University employees have a duty to immediately disclose and manage/eliminate any real or apparent conflicts of interest. Faculty and staff who are required to complete annual disclosures will be notified in January with instructions on how to complete the annual disclosure process.

This short Training Video provides an overview of the annual disclosure process and provides examples of conflicts of interest and commitment.

Resources and Support

• Faculty Disclosure and Review Process
  • Potential COI Scenarios
  • Reviewer Tip Sheet
  • Reviewer Training (video)
  • Reviewer FAQ
  • COI Management Plan Template (Faculty)
  • Management Plan Tip Sheet (Faculty)
• Research COI Resources
  • Disclosure Procedures for Sponsored Projects
  • Research Disclosures FAQ
  • SBIR/STTR COI Guidance
  • Disclosing Foreign Activities
  • CITI COI Training (Free for UofSC faculty; must register)
• Staff Disclosure and Review Process
  • COI Management Plan Template (Staff)
  • Management Plan Tip Sheet (Staff)
  • Potential COI Scenarios
  • Reviewer Tip Sheet
  • Reviewer FAQ

Key Contacts

Department	Contact Name	Contact Information
Audit & Advisory Services	Frank DiSilvestro COI Compliance Manager	disilvef@mailbox.sc.edu 803-777-3732
Office of Research Compliance	Thomas Coggins Director	tcoggins@mailbox.sc.edu  803-777-4456
Activity and Financial Interest Reporting System (AIR)	Deborah Kassianos Director of IT & Data Management Office of Vice President for Research	kassiano@mailbox.sc.edu   803-777-6421
Office of the Provost	Mary Anne Fitzpatrick Dean of Faculty and VP for Faculty Affairs	fitzpatm@mailbox.sc.edu 803-777-2808
Human Resources	Melissa Arnold Employee Relations Director	Disclose@mailbox.sc.edu  803-777-3821

 

University Policies on Conflict of Interest and Commitment

• BTRU 1.18: Conflicts of Interest and Commitment
• H.R. 102: University of South Carolina Ethics Policy
• ACAF 1.50: Outside Professional Activities for Faculty
• RSCH 1.06: Disclosure of Financial Interests and Management of Conflicts of Interest Related to Sponsored Projects (Research)
• H.R. 1.30: Outside Employment
• H.R. 1.27: Nepotism
• FINA 2.14: Acquisition and Payment of Goods and Services