Sample Conflict of Interest Questions

Below you will find some sample questions, which may aid in your completion of your conflict of interest form.

• I intend to use outside printing services to develop the layout for a new student services brochure to be issued next semester. My wife runs a printing and design shop that can perform this type of work. Can I direct the business to her? The total job cost is below the University’s minimum bid requirements.

  No. Whether or not the cost of the job is below the bid threshold, there exists a potential conflict of interest since by providing this job to your wife (or other family member or persons living in your household) you might personally benefit. Also, this situation could affect your unbiased judgment in selecting the most qualified print shop for the project. Therefore, you should not negotiate or approve a contract with the shop and you should report this potential conflict of interest.

• I have an outside consulting practice that solicits business from several sponsoring agencies that provide funding awards to Tufts. Do I need to disclose this relationship?

  Yes, this relationship must be disclosed in writing in the Annual Questionnaire to determine if any potential conflict exists between your outside business and Tufts. A University employee or faculty member may not perform work, either in a self-owned business or as an employee of an outside business, which (i) uses confidential information that the employee receives in the course of his or her employment, (ii) could be considered a "quid pro quo" for the contracting party to obtain University business or (iii) directly or indirectly places the University at a financial or competitive disadvantage.

• I am the department FSP (Frontline Support Provider). Last week, my supervisor asked me if I could come over to his house that weekend and upgrade his personally owned computer with the extra memory he recently purchased. I found it hard to say no to his request since I perform the same function for the University. Is this a conflict of interest on his part?

  Yes, this would constitute a conflict of interest. Supervisors may not make such requests. This situation can be compared to one in which a supervisor receives a gift from a vendor. Gifts are forbidden by our policies because they may cause the supervisor to feel beholden to the vendor or give the vendor power to coerce the supervisor. In the case of an employee, receipt of a “gift” of the employee’s time creates the same opportunity for a conflict of interest, where the obligation of loyalty to Tufts becomes secondary to other interests. This is true even if the work is, or appears to be, performed voluntarily; it need not be coerced to be wrong.

• A vendor servicing my department treats me to sporting events. Is this appropriate?

  No, unless the value of the gift (on an annual aggregate basis) is less than $100. University policy prohibits employees from accepting gifts of any kind from vendors in excess of $100 (on an annual aggregate basis).

• A consultant working with the University has offered to let me stay at his vacation home on Cape Cod for the weekend. Should I accept the invitation?

  No. Acceptance of this gift (which is likely to have a value in excess of $100) would give the appearance of impropriety and therefore would be inappropriate for you to accept the invitation.

• A vendor treats me to a meal occasionally. Is this appropriate?

  No, unless the value of the meals (on an annual aggregate basis) is less than $100. This invitation would be interpreted as the vendor trying to influence you. You can accept the invitation and pay for your own meal.

• In attending a conference, a vendor offers to pay for a group dinner or some type of hospitality event. Is this acceptable for me to participate?

  Yes. This is acceptable given that other prospective clients are attending and that it is part of a conference or meeting event.

• A vendor sends me a fruit basket during the holidays each year. What should I do?

  If the value of the gift basket is likely to be in excess of $100, either return the gift or, if it is perishable, share it with your staff or donate it to charity. You should politely inform the vendor that such gifts are prohibited by University policy.