{"id":56,"date":"2009-06-05T10:08:16","date_gmt":"2009-06-05T14:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/handbook\/?page_id=56"},"modified":"2026-06-18T14:39:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T18:39:30","slug":"conflict-of-commitment-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/handbook\/ethics\/conflict-of-commitment-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Conflict of Commitment Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"

I. Purpose<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A Boston University faculty member\u2019s primary professional commitment of time and intellectual energy is to teaching, research (including creative work), and service to the University.\u00a0 <\/span>The specific responsibilities comprising this commitment may vary among schools and colleges, and should be based on a shared understanding between the faculty member and the relevant unit head.<\/p>\n

\u201cExternal Professional Activity\u201d means activities engaged in by faculty outside of Boston University \u00a0<\/span>that utilize the expertise or knowledge the faculty member has developed or is developing in carrying out their University responsibilities in teaching, research or service.\u00a0 <\/span>The University recognizes that External Professional Activity is beneficial if it furthers a faculty member\u2019s ongoing professional development and enhances their teaching and research capabilities as well as their reputation and that of the University.\u00a0 <\/span>However, a conflict can arise when a faculty member\u2019s External Professional Activity conflicts with their commitment to the University as, for example, by compromising the amount or quality of their participation in the instructional, scholarly, or administrative work of the University or otherwise affecting (or appearing to affect) their judgment in carrying out University responsibilities.<\/p>\n

The purpose of this policy is to assist faculty members in avoiding conflicts of commitment by clarifying the responsibilities of the faculty member and the expectations of the University with respect to External Professional Activity.\u00a0 <\/span>While this policy applies to the entire University, individual schools or colleges may wish to develop more specific guidelines to take into account their particular circumstances.<\/p>\n

II. Covered Parties<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Except as otherwise indicated, this policy applies to all salaried faculty members.<\/p>\n

III. Permitted Time Commitment for External Professional Activity<\/strong><\/h4>\n

External Professional Activity is generally limited to 20% of the faculty member\u2019s total professional effort during their contract year. Faculty members must ensure that External Professional Activities do not prevent them from fulfilling their primary responsibilities. External Professional Activity that results in the neglect of contacts with students or that creates an undue burden for colleagues is by definition inappropriate.<\/p>\n

The time limitations in this section do not apply during unpaid periods, such as the remaining three months for faculty on nine\u2010month appointments or during unpaid leave.<\/p>\n

In addition, certain types of External Professional Activities must be approved in advance as described in Section VI below, even if they fall within this time commitment.<\/p>\n

IV. Use of University Resources and Consulting<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Faculty may not use University resources (including but not limited to funds, facilities, and equipment), personnel (including students and University employees), confidential information, or indicators of University endorsement in connection with External Professional Activities except in a purely incidental way. This does not preclude faculty from identifying Boston University as their employer in reports, publications, or presentations.<\/p>\n

When entering into consulting agreements, faculty should make clear to the outside entity that their primary duty is to Boston University and their participation is subject to the University\u2019s policies on intellectual property. Agreements that impose restrictions on the freedom to publish University-based work are not permitted. Faculty consulting with external organizations must make clear that they are acting in their individual capacity and not on behalf of Boston University.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

V. Prohibited Activities<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Faculty members who have full-time appointments at Boston University are prohibited from holding a full-time or part-time tenured or tenure-track position at another educational institution, or any position which would be considered a permanent or primary position or constitute more than 20% time at the other institution.\u00a0<\/span>Examples include, but are not limited to, a full-time faculty appointment, which includes teaching and\/or research duties at the second institution or an administrative appointment as a dean at the second institution. This prohibition applies even if the faculty member is on leave status from the University, regardless of the type or status of the leave and whether paid or unpaid. Limited exceptions to this rule, e.g. service to National Science Foundation, require prior approval by the Dean and the Provost and normally have a three-year term limit.<\/p>\n

VI. Activities that Must Be Approved in Advance<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Regardless of the faculty member\u2019s time commitment, the following activities require prior written approval.<\/p>\n

Prior Written Approval by the Dean or Dean\u2019s Designee:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. External Teaching or Course Development
    \n<\/strong>Faculty members are not permitted to teach at other institutions without prior written approval. This policy applies equally to courses taught in person, via the Internet, or by some other method of electronic transmittal. This requirement for pre-approval does not apply to participation in single guest lectures, seminars, or workshops as an invited speaker. When there is any question as to whether an outside engagement falls within the range of allowable activities, a faculty member should first consult with their department chair or dean.A faculty member may not develop a course or substantial parts of a course, including distance-education courses (see also<\/em> the Faculty Involvement in University Digital Courses Policy<\/a>), or develop courseware, for any entity other than Boston University without prior written approval.<\/li>\n
  2. Compensated Appointments at Other Educational Institutions
    \n<\/strong>For those appointments not prohibited by Section V above, a faculty member shall not hold any other type of compensated appointment at any other educational institution without prior written approval.<\/li>\n
  3. Certain Activities with Outside Entities<\/strong>\n