Introduction
As of October 1, 2025, MSU has adopted BOT 414: Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment Identification and Disclosure. Please note, the rules for academic specialists are different and appear at the bottom of this page.
The following contains content of descriptions and processes from BOT414. For full definitions, financial conflicts of interests (FCOIs), Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs, intellectual property, and other related topics, please see the full BOT414 document.
Outside Activities
Covered individuals are defined as Faculty, Executive Management, and Academic Administrators.
University employees are encouraged to engage in Outside Activities when their activities reinforce the mission of the University and do not compete with the University. At the same time, MSU’s expectation is that the primary professional skills, expertise, and work effort of its employees are committed to MSU. This section is intended to protect the integrity of the Employee-University professional relationship, MSU’s responsibility to the public, and to provide that Covered Individuals and Investigators remain accessible to students, colleagues, administrators, and the public and do not create conflicts that cannot be managed.
The University recognizes that, through consulting and other Outside Activities, including relationships with government, industry, non-profit organizations, and other Entities outside the University, its employees can make valuable contributions off campus while enhancing their expertise in their discipline. Covered Individuals and Investigators may engage in Outside Activities, provided that these activities do not constitute a Conflict of Commitment and/or a Conflict of Interest and comply with all other applicable university policies. A Conflict of Commitment occurs when the time and attention a Covered Individual or Investigator devotes to Outside Activities interferes with the performance of the Covered Individual or Investigator’s Institutional Responsibilities to MSU. A Conflict of Interest may occur as described in Section IV(b) Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) in Research, or for example, a potential relationship that is in conflict with MSU’s Patent Policy, Copyright Policy, or other MSU policies listed in BOT414-Section VII Related Policies, Information, and Attachments.
To ensure that Outside Activities do not conflict with a Covered Individual or Investigator’s Institutional Responsibilities, such activities must be disclosed in the Outside Activity Approval Form (requires MSU login) and receive approval from the dean or head of the major administrative unit. Activities that are defined as Scholarly Activities do not require prior approval however these activities may need to be reported in MSU grant applications, progress reports, or the MSU COI disclosure.
A Covered Individual may engage in Outside Activities up to an average of four (4) days a month during their Duty Period. The totality of all approved Outside Activities and overload pay assignments for the Covered Individual may not exceed a total average of four (4) days a month. A “day” for purposes of the four day per month limit is equivalent to a standard workday (e.g. 8 hour day) of the Covered Individual.
This time limit does not apply to the activities undertaken under a Covered Individual’s approved dual appointment, when the Covered Individual is on an unpaid leave of absence. These activities must be in compliance with MSU’s Dual Appointment Policy.
Parameters for Performing Outside Activities
Covered Individuals and Investigators may request approval to engage in Outside Activities if all of the following conditions exist:
- The Outside Activity will enhance the Covered Individual or Investigator’s expertise in the Covered Individual or Investigator’s discipline or professional area of specialty.
- The Outside Activity will not interfere with the performance of the Covered Individual or Investigator’s Institutional Responsibilities including, but not limited to teaching, research, service, accessibility and mentorship to students, or other contractual obligations to the University or to Research sponsors.
- The Outside Activity will not adversely affect the University’s interests or violate University policies or regulations, including, but not limited to, policies or regulations related to intellectual property, use of the University’s name, logo, letterhead, or other resources (See Section V (10), Use of University Resources), etc.
Required Approval for Outside Activities
- A Covered Individual and Investigator must request and obtain written approval from the Covered Individual’s or Investigator’s chair, school director, or supervisor when applicable and dean/head of the major administrative unit before engaging in an Outside Activity by completing an Outside Activity Approval Form.
- Department chairs, school directors, or supervisors and deans/heads of a major administrative unit (“University administrators”) shall review all Outside Activities requests for approval to ensure the proposed Outside Activities do not violate this policy and are appropriate in relation to the performance of the Covered Individual’s or Investigator’s duties.
- Requests for approval for an Outside Activity must be made through the Covered Individual’s or Investigator’s primary college.
- University administrators to whom the Outside Activity Approval Form is submitted may seek additional information or clarification from the Covered Individual or Investigator regarding the proposed Outside Activity. University administrators may also consult with the Office for Conflict Disclosure and Management, the Office of the Provost, or other applicable offices in determining approval.
- University administrators shall process completed Outside Activity Approval Form in a timely fashion.
- If a request to engage in an Outside Activity is denied, the University administrator shall provide the Covered Individual or Investigator with written reasons for the denial. A Covered Individual or Investigator may not challenge a decision to deny approval for an Outside Activity through the Faculty Grievance Policy unless the Covered Individual or Investigator alleges that the denial is contrary to University, college, department, school, or unit policy or established practice.
- Each university administrator or dean/head of the major administrative unit may consult and collaborate with the Office of Conflict Disclosure and Management if they identify a potential Conflict of Commitment by a Covered Individual or Investigator.
Record keeping and Reporting Requirements
Each dean/head of the major administrative unit shall keep Outside Activity Approval Forms submitted by Covered Individuals and Investigators on file for at least three years.
Additionally, each dean/head of the major administrative unit shall submit annual reports to the Office of the Provost concerning the Outside Activities performed by Covered Individuals and Investigators in that college/administrative unit.
For Academic Specialists
FASA has created “Tip Sheet: Considerations for Consulting and Outside Work for Academic Specialists” that provides specific information for Consulting and Outside Work for Academic Specialists.
Additional Questions and Contacts
Questions may be directed to the Office of Conflict Disclosure and Management at cdm@msu.edu or Faculty & Academic Staff Affairs (FASA) at fasaffairs@msu.edu
FASA Frequently Asked Questions on New Conflict of Commitment Policy
FASA Crosswalk of Changes – Outside Work for Pay Policy
Last edited on February 5 2026