THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL  Office of the Chancellor
Michael Hooker  Chancellor		103 South Building Campus Box 9100 Chapel Hill, NC 27599-9100 (919) 962-1365 FAX: (919) 962-1647
	September 8, 1998

MEMORANDUM
 

TO:	Deans, Directors and Department Chairs  All Faculty and EPA Non Faculty  Human Resource Facilitators
FROM:	Chancellor Michael Hooker
SUBJECT:	Policy on Conflicts of Interest and Commitment

      Three years ago, our first comprehensive Policy on Conflicts of Interest and Commitment went into effect. Thanks to the cooperation of all faculty and EPA non faculty employees, as well as to the efforts of administrators and the peer Standing Committee on Conflicts of Interest and Commitment we have had an excellent experience with this Policy.

This Policy, effective September 1, 1998, is lengthy because it addresses a variety of complex issues and ethical concerns. I urge you to read it carefully and refer to it as needed. Under the Policy, you are required to file an annual report, the form for which is included as Attachment 1 to the Policy. Your annual report is due October 1, 1998. You will be sent a reminder in mid September about the need to file the annual report.

        Please note that there are sections on the Policy's Attachment I designed to make the form easier for employees to complete as well as for administrators to review. The "E-Z Response" section has proven to be successful and is continued this year. Employees who have no conflicts of interest or commitment can simply mark one box rather than fill out the entire form. If the "E-Z Response" box is checked, the department chair does not need to sign the form and may simply collect it for filing. The "Expedited Review" mechanism is available for those people who disclosed Category III conflicts last year that were reviewed by the Standing Committee on Conflicts of Interest and Commitment. If circumstances have not changed, the review process this year can be significantly shortened. These changes may lessen somewhat the burdens associated with this Policy.

        I encourage you to seek guidance about any aspect of the Policy as it may affect you or your colleagues. The telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of those individuals who are available to assist you with the Policy are as follows:
 

Ms. Susan Ehringhaus	(962-1219)	susan_ehringhaus@unc.edu
Dr. Francis Meyer	(966-3929)	fran_meyer@unc.edu
Mr. David Parker	(966-3929)	david_m_parker@unc.edu

         I appreciate your commitment to effective implementation of this Policy. It is an essential element in protecting the University's values, and I continue to look to you for assistance in making it work.

FACULTY HANDBOOK
FACULTY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
http://www.unc.edu/faculty/faccoun/handbook/section_III.htm