OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES

Eastern Oregon University encourages its faculty members to engage in outside activities which will increase their institutional effectiveness or which provide service to public or private bodies in the State of Oregon or in the nation. All Eastern staff are encouraged to participate in the work of service clubs, fraternal organizations, or other groups which will help to broaden the individual's own sphere of acquaintances and experiences as well as helping to develop closer relations between the University and the community. Some professionally related outside activities are considered to be part of faculty members' institutional duties. Other professionally related activities are considered to be outside of faculty members' institutional duties and are subject to conditions established by statute and by Board of Higher Education Administrative Rules and Internal Management Directives.

The Administrative Rules of Oregon State Board of Higher Education state that, "No full-time employee of the Department or of any of the institutions or divisions shall engage in any outside employment that substantially interferes with duties." Therefore, employees of Eastern Oregon University are expected not to accept or engage in any outside activity which might substantially interfere with their regular duties. Prior to acceptance of any employment involving time or honorarium, the individual concerned is to secure the approval of the President of the University. Full-time faculty members who fail to comply with Board of Higher Education and institutional policies and procedures related to outside employment and related compensation are subject to sanctions as provided in OAR 580-21-320.

Activities that may be part of faculty members' institutional duties:

Teaching, research, publishing, lecturing, advising governmental agencies, serving on advisory boards and memberships in professional societies are considered to be regular work duties provided that:
• the activities are related to the faculty members' professional fields;
• no compensation is received other than royalties from publications or small honoraria typically given for such services; and
• they do not substantially interfere with faculty members' regular duties.

Activities that are outside faculty members' institutional duties:

1. Activities outside faculty members' institutional duties and undertaken on personal time regardless of whether compensated or not, or activities involving participation in non-profit organizations are not subject to Board of Higher Education or Eastern Oregon University policies so long as they do not create a potential conflict of interest or so long as participation in a non-profit organization does not result in compensation.

   If faculty members, while on personal time, engage in outside activities which create a potential conflict of interest, the faculty members must provide written disclosure of the activity using the University's Outside Activity Form. ["Potential Conflict of Interest" is defined as any situation which might lead to an actual conflict of interest.]

2. Activities considered to be outside faculty members' regular duties include, among others: employment; consulting for or providing other services to individuals or firms; serving on board of directors or as officers of for-profit organizations; and engaging in commercial operations or practices.

   Activities which are outside faculty members' institutional duties are encouraged provided that they meet the following conditions:

   1. The outside activities do not interfere with the performance of the faculty members' University duties.

   2. The outside activities take, on average, no more than the equivalent of one working day per seven-day week.

   3. Any use of University equipment or facilities (including offices assigned to faculty members) is approved on the Outside Activity Approval Form in advance by the Provost, Vice President for Student Affairs, or Vice President for Administration and Finance as appropriate. If the faculty member works in a unit which reports directly to the President of the University, approval must be granted by the President.

   If any of the conditions listed below exists, the outside activity must be approved on the Outside Activity Approval Form in advance by the Provost, Vice President for Student Affairs, Vice President for Administration and Finance (as appropriate) or by the President of the University where the faculty member works in a unit which reports directly to the President:
   1. The activity creates a potential conflict of interest.

   2. The activity involves the acceptance of compensation or ownership of equity in the case of a private entity.

   3. The activity includes service in a line management position or participation in the day-to-day operations of a private or public entity whether compensated or not.

   4. The activity includes service in a key, continuing role in the scientific or technical activities of a private or public entity.

   5. Any University equipment or facilities (including offices assigned to faculty members) will be used in the course of the activity.

3. Institutional administrators will consider the following when reviewing written requests to engage in outside activities:
   1. Information provided on the Outside Activities Approval Form and any attachments to it.

   2. Contributions of the activity to the faculty member's primary assignment at the University, the activities support of the academic integrity of the University and any other professional relationships which the faculty member may have within the University or within the Oregon University System.

   3. Prospective non-financial benefits to the faculty member and to Eastern Oregon University.

   4. The average time commitment required by the activity over an academic term. Where the commitment takes an average of more than one day per week there must be a clear written demonstration of extraordinary benefit to the faculty member and to Eastern. In such exceptional cases, the administrator approving the request must document the reason for the approval in writing.

   5. Assurances that the outside activity does not interfere with the faculty members' institutional responsibilities or with those of the faculty members' students.

   6. Appropriateness of the use of institutional facilities and support personnel, if approved, including written documentation that the full cost thereof will be reimbursed to the institutions.

      Faculty members who are dissatisfied with the decision of the Provost, Vice President for Student Affairs, or Vice President for Administration and Finance pertaining to the approval of outside activities may appeal to the President of the University. In all cases the President's determination shall be final.

4. Faculty members must make it clear to outside employers, clients, or agencies (including boards, juries, audiences, etc.) that they are acting as private individuals and do not speak, write, or act in the name of Eastern Oregon University.

5. Faculty members must not use their campus telephone number or address, University business cards, or other University information in commercial listings or other documents, the purpose of which is to draw attention to the individual's availability for compensatory service.

For the implementation of the provisions of the policy on "Outside Activities and Related Compensation" in the area of teaching for Eastern Oregon University on an overload basis, please see Overload Teaching Limitations.

[Responsible for Accuracy: John S. Miller, Provost - Last Verified: 7/27/00]