Consulting, General Policies

Following are section 8.2.18 of the Board of Regents Policy Manual which set forth the standards and guidelines concerning consulting and outside employment. http://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/

Each University System of Georgia (USG) employee shall make every reasonable effort to avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interests. An apparent conflict exists when a reasonable person would conclude from the circumstances that the employee’s ability to protect the public interest, or perform public duties, is compromised by a personal, financial, or business interest. An apparent conflict can exist even in the absence of a legal conflict of interest. USG employees are referred to State Conflict of Interest Statutes O.C.G.A. § 45-10-20 through § 45-10-70 and institutional policies governing professional and outside activities.

Each USG employee has an ongoing responsibility to report and fully disclose any personal, professional, or financial interest, relationship, or activity that has the potential to create an actual or apparent conflict of interest with respect to the employee’s USG duties.

Policy: BOR Policy Manual Section 8.2.18.2.4 Institution Guidelines for Faculty Outside Consulting

Recognizing that teaching, research, and public service are the primary responsibilities of USG faculty members, it is reasonable and desirable for faculty members to engage in additional activity beyond duties assigned by the institution, which are professional in nature and based in the appropriate discipline for which the individual receives additional compensation during the contract year.

Each USG institution shall adopt guidelines governing outside consulting activities of faculty members that shall include the following:

1. Time that faculty may engage in outside consulting during work hours, if any;
   1. If faculty outside consulting is permitted during work hours, the maximum limit is, on average, one day per week.
   2. Unless express permission is granted by the institution President, whose approval authority may not be delegated, twelve-month faculty who earn annual leave must take leave consistent with USG and institutional procedures governing the use of leave when engaged in consulting during the faculty member’s work hours.
2. A determination of what institutional resources may be used for outside consulting work;
3. A plan for reimbursing the institution for non-incidental use of the institution’s personnel, facilities, equipment, and materials consistent with rates charged outside groups or persons;
4. A procedure for obtaining prior approval of the President or President’s designee; and,
5. A procedure for defining and managing conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment regarding outside faculty consulting.

Updated November 22, 2023