The University must pursue its mission in a manner that advances its goals, protects the integrity of all it does and maintains the confidence of all members of the University community, its affiliated institutions, granting agencies and its public and private sponsors, in an environment in which there is both increased attention to conflict of interest and an increase in apparent conflict situations.
Trust is fundamental to the effective operation of the University. An assumption of personal integrity in every member of the University community underlies University policies and procedures, and those of granting agencies and the regulatory bodies who have oversight of many University based activities. The expectation is that all members of the University will conduct themselves with integrity in accordance with the trust and confidence that is reposed in them.
Conflicts of interest may take various forms and may arise in various contexts. In essence a potential conflict of interest will exist whenever a member of the University community is in a position to influence the conduct of research, academic, human resource, business, financial, governance or other matters in ways that could lead to personal gain for the member or a related party, or give improper advantage to others, to the detriment of the University or other members of the University community.