TO: Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, and Department Heads
FROM: Robert A. Brown
DATE: May 25, 2006

            As part of Boston University’s continuing effort to implement current “best practices” for non-profit, tax-exempt institutions, I am pleased to distribute the attached policy on Solicitation and Acceptance of Personal Gifts and Relationships with Vendors.  This policy supersedes the previous policy set forth in the Personnel Policy Manual (at section 402.4) and is effective immediately.

            The new policy is designed to ensure the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and fairness in all dealings with current University vendors as well as those seeking an advantageous relationship with the University.  As part of this effort, the policy provides greater specificity and clarity than the previous version, including a $50 limit on unsolicited gifts and a prohibition on the acceptance of multiple gifts from a single source in any calendar year.

            As noted in the policy, supervisors are responsible for communication and ensuring compliance with the policy within their units.  I will be grateful for your assistance in this regards.  The policy will also be communicated to current and prospective vendors.

            University employees who have questions or concerns about their obligations under the policy should be encouraged to speak with their supervisors or a member of the University’s Compliance Committee consisting of Provost David Campbell, Medical Campus Provost Karen Antman, Executive Vice President Joseph Mercurio, Vice President and General Counsel Todd Klipp, Associate Vice President for Internal Audit William Long, and Associate Vice President for Human Resources Manuel Monteiro.

            I urge you to review the new policy carefully and to do your part to ensure that its standards and guidelines are followed.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter.