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SMG Outside Professional Activities

Overview
Pre-Approval Process
Annual Report
Conflict of Interest
Conflict of Commitment
Other Reporting Requirements
Related OPA Information

Overview
While Outside Professional Activities performed by SMG members are often mutually beneficial to the University and the members themselves, and are therefore encouraged, the primary commitment of UC SMG members must be to the fulfillment of their regular University responsibilities. SMG members are required to obtain prior approval before engaging in an activity and report their Outside Professional Activities at the end of each calendar year.

Outside Professional Activities are those activities within the SMG member’s area(s) of professional expertise for which they are employed by the University. Such activities include, but are not limited to: service on state or national commissions, government agencies and boards, committees or advisory groups to other universities, organizations established to further the interests of higher education, not-for-profit organizations, and service on corporate boards of directors.

Activities not regarded as Outside Professional Activities are the following:

Activities unrelated to the SMG member’s area of professional expertise for which they are employed by the University, such as involvement in religious or cultural organizations.
Activities that the approving authority confirms as part of the individual’s job expectations. It is expected that the individual would not receive additional compensation for such activities beyond the individual’s normal University salary.
For an SMG member with an underlying faculty appointment, activities that the approving authority confirms as essential to remaining current in the SMG member’s academic field. It is expected that the individual would not receive additional compensation for such activities beyond the individual’s normal University salary.

Senior Management Group Outside Professional Activities Policy

Pre-Approval Process
All Outside Professional Activities, whether compensated or uncompensated, must be approved by the person or office to whom an individual reports before the SMG member engages in the activity. SMG members should complete the SMG Pre-Approval Form and submit to Ramona Agrela, SMG Coordinator for processing.

Annual Report on Outside Professional Activities
SMG members must file a report each year detailing all Outside Professional Activities (whether compensated or uncompensated) that were performed during the previous calendar year.

Employees who step down from their SMG appointment but remain employed by the University, are subject to this reporting requirement for the calendar year in which they served in a career SMG position.

Employees serving in an acting SMG capacity are not subject to this reporting requirement, unless they also possess a career appointment in an SMG position.

Only activities that occurred once an employee became an SMG member are to be reported.

UCI SMG staff will contact SMG members in late fall requesting submission of a report of all Outside Professional Activities. A sample Outside Professional Activity Report Form is available here.

Conflict of Interest
No SMG member may make, participate in the making, or influence a governmental decision in which he or she has a financial interest as defined by the California Political Reform Act of 1974 (Guide to the California Political Reform Act of 1974; Conflict of Interest Policy and Compendum of Specialized University Policies, Guidelines, and Regulations Related to Conflict of Interest).

Conflict of Commitment
Conflict of commitment is a subjective judgment made either by the SMG member or his/her approving authority at the time approval is requested to pursue an outside professional activity. This subjective judgment shall determine whether or not a conflict is created -- either by the time required to reasonably fulfill the outside professional activity, and/or by an incompatibility between the outside professional activity and the SMG member's responsibilities to the University.

Other Reporting Requirements
SMG members may be required to report on outside professional activities, outside financial interests, or conflict of interests to other UCI offices. Below is an overview of other related reports.

Annual Statement of Economic Interests
SMG members are designated officials pursuant to the UC Conflict of Interest Code. Members are required file an Annual Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) every year and within 30 days of assuming or leaving their position. Compliance of Form 700 is managed by the Administrative Policies Office at UCI.

Academic Personnel
SMG members who hold underlying academic appointments are also required to report outside professional activities. The policy on Conflict of Commitment and Outside Activities of Faculty Members (APM Policy 025) requires all faculty who are members of the Academic Senate to complete an annual report of Category I and II compensated outside professional activities. This policy addresses compensated and uncompensated outside professional and non-professional activities, in an effort to clarify the faculty member's commitment to the University and to set out reporting guidelines. Compliance to APM 025 is managed by Academic Personnel.

Research
SMG members involved in research may also be required to disclose economic interests and report on conflict of interests. The UCI Office of Research Administration manages compliance to the various conflict of interest policies.

Health Sciences Compensation Plan
SMG members who participate in the Health Sciences Compensation Plan are required to submit an annual report describing the previous year’s outside professional activities from which the Plan participant retained income. Additional requirements may be identified by administration. Compliance is managed by UCI School of Medicine Faculty Compensation Office.