(1) University Senate meeting, 5/2/98: Highlights (1) If you want to have input into Traffic and Parking, and also be eligible for a prize, try the survey at
http://www.osu.edu/CABSsurvey/tpsurvey.html
To encourage a quick turnaround, if you submit your response before June 19, 1998, you will automatically be entered in a drawing for  one of three $100 OSU Bookstore Gift Certificates (2) Notes from University Senate
University Senate: Notes from 6/6/98 meeting
Saturday, June 6, 1998, in Room 103, Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road
There was some controversy in the discussion of the Rules Committee proposal for a Financial Conflict of Interest Policy, not for the overall intent of the policy, but for a particular example -- in a section that includes " Examples of situations that might entail or create a conflict of interest are presented below.."
"Use of one's professional expertise to provide services that compete with services provided by an academic entity within the University."

Given the broad scope of the university, there was some concern that a faculty member would have trouble interpreting this, e.g., providing survey research contracting when Political Science also provides that service.  A proposal to delete this example was narrowly defeated.

The policy goes beyond the currect policy in that all types of activities, not just research, are covered.  Nancy M. Rudd stated that OAA will prepare procedures for review of non-research potential conflicts.

The proposal adopted by the Senate, and likely to be approved the the Board of Trustees next month also includes the following "The University encourages faculty authorship of instructional materials and does not discourage the use of such materials in courses in the faculty member's department.  However, every academic unit should establish a policy appropriate to its curcumstances that ensures that instructional materials are selected on their academic merit and also ensures that there is no significant conflict of interest or appearance of conflict of interest in the selection of such materials."


Sherman Hanna, (click to email: HANNA.1@OSU.EDU)