The University of Oregon supports employees engaging in outside activities aligned with the institution's mission, including research dissemination and commercialization of research, scholarship, and creative activity.

State law (ORS 352.232) requires the UO to authorize employees to receive outside compensation. The Conflict of Interest, Conflict of Commitment, and Outside Activities Policy (COI/COC Policy) outlines how to obtain this authorization and ensures compliance with state law. The policy applies to all UO employees, including courtesy and visiting faculty. 

Disclosing an outside activity doesn't always indicate a conflict, and many conflicts are manageable. Our staff work with employees, supervisors, and leadership to address and manage any potential conflicts.

Activities That Require Disclosure and Approval

Employees should disclose the following outside activities and financial interests for themselves and their relatives that are related to their institutional duties. Approval is required before beginning, even if that activity occurs during a sabbatical or other approved leave.

• Equity ownership in an entity related to the employee's UO duties or field of expertise.
  • This includes consulting entities, but does not include consulting as an individual or a sole proprietor. In other words, if an employee owns a consulting company, they would need to disclose that activity.
• Work in exchange for equity in an entity related to the employee's UO duties or field of expertise.
  • This does not include publicly traded equity unless the employee has a majority ownership in that entity.
• Research and development or creation of technology, inventions, or software that are closely related to the employee's UO job duties or field of expertise
• Managing or significantly participating in daily operations in the day-to-day operations of an entity related to the employee's UO duties or field of expertise.
• Hiring UO students or other UO employees the employee supervises, teaches, or advises for outside activities.
• Making an action or recommendation in their UO role that would have a financial impact on themselves, their relatives, or any business with which either is associated

Activities That May Not Require Disclosure and Approval

Many outside activities don't pose conflicts of interest or commitment and thus don't require disclosure under the COI/COC Policy. These include: 

• Consulting as an individual or sole proprietor (unless it meets the criteria listed above​)
• Activities unrelated to the employee’s UO duties or field of expertise
• Travel reimbursements (which are subject to ORS 244.025 regarding gifts and ORS 244.042 regarding honoraria)
• Appearances, performances, exhibits, or publications​
• Activities by student or graduate employees​
• Uncompensated activities​ (unless it meets the criteria listed above)
• Other employment that does not meet the criteria above​

Note: Sponsored researchers may still need to disclose some of these activities under the Financial Conflict of Interest in Research Policy to ensure consistency with sponsor guidelines. 

For All Outside Activity, Regardless of Whether Disclosure and Approval Are Required

Employees may not:

• Make private, commercial use without permission of UO supplies, facilities, equipment, employees, records, intellectual property, or any other UO resources​
• Use non-public information accessed as a UO employee to obtain a private financial benefit​
• Engage in activities that substantially interfere with their duties to the UO (called a conflict of commitment)
• Make decisions in their UO capacity that could have a financial impact on them personally, their relatives, or a business with which either is associated

How to Submit a Disclosure and Request Approval

Employees submit disclosures in the Research Administration Portal. If approval is required, the COI Office team will work with the employee, their supervisor, and unit leadership through the management plan process.

When in Doubt, Disclose!

Employees who are unsure whether an outside activity or financial interest requires disclosure can email email the COI Office team to request a consultation or submit a disclosure for a formal determination.

Employees may also take a MyTrack course on disclosure requirements, review our FAQs, or contact us with questions.

Other Considerations

For Non-U.S. Citizens

Non-U.S. citizens may not be able to accept compensation from an entity other than their primary employer / visa sponsor. Please contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for more information.

Contact ISSS

Outside Activities for Foreign Entities

If the entity for which the employee will be conducting outside activities is not located in the U.S., they may request an export control compliance screening to ensure that the entity does not appear on any restricted entity lists.

Note: Sponsored researchers must carefully follow sponsor regulations related to disclosing collaborations with foreign persons and entities. Email the COI Office for guidance.

Contact Export Controls

A Note About Relatives and Conflicts of Interest

Employees should disclose in the Research Administration Portal if they have a relative who could be impacted by their work at the UO. These conflicts often arise for UO employees who have the ability to take action or make decisions that could have a financial impact on their relative or on that relative's business.

A relative, according to state law, includes:

• The spouse, parent, stepparent, child, sibling, stepsibling, son-in-law or daughter-in-law of the employee
• The parent, stepparent, child, sibling, stepsibling, son-in-law or daughter-in-law of the spouse of the employee
• Any individual for whom the employee has a legal support obligation
• Any individual for whom the employee provides benefits arising from the employee’s public employment or from whom the employee receives benefits arising from that individual’s employment