CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND CONFLICT OF COMMITMENT
Conflict of interest and conflict of commitment at Skidmore College are governed by the College’s Conflict of Interest Policy and Conflict of Commitment Policy, included in the Skidmore College Standards of Business Conduct Policy as approved by the Institutional Policy and Planning Committee (IPPC) and ratified by faculty vote.
These policies establish individual responsibilities, examples of activities that require or do not require disclosure, and the consequences of violations. Faculty and staff in Academic Affairs are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these policies.
Annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Skidmore’s Conflict of Interest Policy requires annual disclosures to the Dean of the Faculty/Vice President for Academic Affairs (DOF/VPAA) from individuals in the following categories:
- All faculty members serving as department chairs or program directors.
- All faculty members and non-faculty personnel who are responsible for or who could materially influence the design, conduct, or reporting of externally funded research.
Each year, these individuals receive an email requesting that they submit a Conflict of Interest and Lobbying Disclosure Form. If you are in one of these categories and have not received an annual request, contact the Office of the DOF/VPAA for guidance.
Non-Annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure
The policy also requires the disclosure of potential conflicts of interest outside the annual process in certain situations, such as when an actual or apparent conflict arises, a material change from the annual disclosure occurs, an application for funding of a new research project is submitted, or if there is any doubt about the existence of an actual or apparent conflict of interest. See the Skidmore College Standards of Business Conduct Policy for more details.
Individuals required to disclose potential conflicts of interest outside of the annual process should contact the Office of Sponsored Research or the Office of DOF/VPAA, whichever is appropriate, to request a Conflict of Interest and Lobbying Disclosure Form and for further guidance.
Individuals receiving grants from external sources must comply with all disclosure requirements of the granting agency, such as Financial Conflict of Interest requirements related to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Public Health Service (PHS). Contact the Office of Sponsored Research for more information.
The confidentiality of disclosures will be maintained to the fullest extent possible.
Conflict of Commitment
Skidmore’s Conflict of Commitment Policy establishes that:
“Any Skidmore employee considering external activities must consider in advance whether such activities might interfere with the performance of his or her College duties and thus create a conflict of commitment. Skidmore employees are expected to discuss potential conflicts of commitment with their department chairperson, program director, Dean of the Faculty/Vice President for Academic Affairs, supervisor, or other College official as appropriate. If the external activities appear to conflict with the individual’s duties, the appropriate dean, supervisor, or other College official may ask the individual to modify the activities or to otherwise manage the activities so that the individual’s responsibilities to the College may be fulfilled. In some cases, it will be prudent for the individual and the dean, supervisor, or other College official, in consultation with the department or unit, to negotiate an agreement concerning the scope of external activities and confirm that agreement in writing.”
Faculty should also keep in mind that “Research, consultation, or additional employment for pecuniary return shall be based upon prior agreement with the Dean of the Faculty/Vice President for Academic Affairs” (Faculty Handbook, Part I, Article III).
Faculty and staff in Academic Affairs who are considering external activities that could create a conflict of commitment should contact the Office of the DOF/VPAA for further guidance.
Last Update: April 2026