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Audit & Advisory Services

Conflict of Interest

This page serves as a resource to help University of South Carolina faculty and staff navigate potential conflicts of interest and commitment. Please feel free to contact Audit and Advisory Services (AAS) if you would like our office to provide training on conflicts of interest to your department: Frank DiSilvestro, COI Compliance Manager .

Definitions

Click on the following terms to learn more.

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

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

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

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

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


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