505 Conflict of Interest
A special kind of problem may arise when an individual has a consulting agreement or other substantial personal interest in an organization that either manufactures supplies or equipment or provides services of a kind purchased for use at Yale.
Responsibility for the propriety of arrangements in which multiple and possibly conflicting interests exist rests initially with the individual who should recognize that such relationships must not be in conflict with the general interests, policies, and mission of the University; that his or her activities within the University must not be biased by the relationship; and that the relationship must not adversely affect his or her contribution to the University. Any staff with such an interest must provide full information to, and obtain the approval of, the University Officer responsible for his or her school or department for any arrangement in which a conflict of interest is implicit or explicit.
In particular, no arrangement involving purchase of goods or services by a department of the University from an organization in which a member of the department has such an interest may be entered into without the approval of the supervisor of the individual having the potential conflict of interest and the approval of the University Officer responsible for that school or department after full disclosure of the interest.
Requests for clarification of specific situations should be referred to the Office of the General Counsel.
