External Activity Request


The Policy on Commitment of Time and Conflict of Interest is being revised, and will include new guidance on what external activities require prior approval, and which do not. During this revision process, please used the guidance provided here.

Faculty and staff must seek prior University approval for external professional activities so appropriate supervisors and offices can review the request to ensure that conflicts of time and conflict of time commitment are properly managed, and that activities with outside entities do not violate the University’s policy on transactions with restricted parties. Approval is required throughout the year for all faculty and staff, including faculty on less than fiscal year (12-month) appointments.

FAQ's

External professional activities that require prior University approval are activities in which the external entity has a professional, commercial, or financial interest in seeking the expertise and services of a faculty or staff member.

Examples of activities for which this prior approval is required may include: consulting for a company, private entity, or individual; providing expert testimony; and acting as an investigator on sponsored projects that are managed through another organization.

NOTE: Regular instructional service or any agreement to provide professional services to other educational institutions is prohibited without express prior approval.

* Faculty and staff are individually responsible for following all grant, contract, or funding restrictions placed on such activities, including any restrictions on public dissemination. 

It is understood that certain external professional activities are done in the course of carrying out expected university duties, and for these outside activities, university prior approval is not required. For faculty, such activities should be reported in the annual faculty evaluation process.

Examples of activities for which prior approval is not required include:

  • Service to the discipline/profession: peer review of scholarly, artistic or creative works; external program reviews; grant proposal review; editorial board work for scholarly outlets; serving as an officer of a scholarly/professional organization; service or scholarly presentations/seminars at disciplinary/professional society meetings, educational institutions, U.S., state, or local government agencies or not-for-profit organizations.
  • Research/scholarship/creative activity: scholarly presentations; artistic/creative performances, presentations, masterclasses, or exhibitions of artistic or creative work.

* Faculty and staff are individually responsible for following all grant, contract, or funding restrictions placed on such activities, including any restrictions on public dissemination.