Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County

Human Resource Policy Manual

Section:	Personal Conduct
Subject:	Conflict of Interest
Policy:	Compliance/System
Code:	903
Issued:	8/9/02, revised 5/24/06, 9/2/08
Association Adoption:	6/4/09
Association Effective Date:	6/4/09

Policy Statement - All Association staff members serve the educational and public purposes to which Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) is dedicated. As such, all staff members have a clear obligation to conduct the affairs of CCE in a manner consistent with those purposes and to make all decisions solely on the basis of a desire to promote the best interests of the organization. The nature of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) work requires considerable direct public contact. As educators, CCE staff members represent the outreach component of their land-grant institution, Cornell University. Therefore, staff members are advised not to be involved in any situation in which a conflict of interest or commitment may be perceived, thus jeopardizing public trust. All staff should also refer to Code 908 "Code of Ethics" for more policy information.

All staff members will conduct their relationships with each other and the Cornell Cooperative Extension system with candor and integrity.

Certain employment and other activities can lead to a material conflict of interest, a violation of public trust, and/or conflict of commitment to the individual's responsibilities to the Cornell Cooperative Extension mission. Involvement in other activities may also result in a conflict of commitment to employment duties and responsibilities. All staff with full-time appointments have a primary commitment to CCE and will be sensitive to the possible adverse effects of external activities. It is recognized, however, that some outside activities may enhance the value of Extension programming so long as staff members' primary commitments to CCE are not adversely affected.

Federal legislation requires guidelines be in place to address real or perceived conflicts of interest/commitment.

Conflict of Interest - A conflict of interest may arise when a staff member has the opportunity to influence Cornell Cooperative Extensions business, administrative, educational, or other decisions in ways that could lead to personal gain or advantage of any kind. A staff member is considered to have a conflict of interest when s/he, or any of his or her family or associates (to his or her present knowledge), either has:

an existing or potential financial or other material interest which impairs or might appear to impair the individuals independence and objectivity of judgment in the discharge of responsibilities to Cornell Cooperative Extension; or

may receive a financial or other material benefit from knowledge of information confidential to Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Material Conflicts of Interest - The following list identifies areas of specific concern. Written approval from the staff member's executive director is required prior to engaging in the following activities:

Outside Consulting - Any consulting that is done by an Association staff member should be outside the staff member's assigned job responsibilities and/or CCE's programming within the state or appropriate area. Consulting in areas in which the staff member has programming responsibilities may be done only outside of New York State.

Consulting is done as a private citizen. Therefore, it must be done on the staff member's own time (e.g., vacation or approved leaves of absence without pay and should not detract from her/his duties with the extension association.)

The names of Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University are not to be associated with the consulting work and extension associations supplies and resources are not to be used.

Private Sector - When using a brand name product in programs and services with clientele, staff members should avoid expressing or implying endorsement or promotion of that particular brand. It should be stated publicly that, while extension associations acknowledge support from the private sector, we do not endorse contributors' products or services.

Owning a Business - Ownership or operation of a farm or any other outside business, including e-business, should not, as a result of the staff member's extension association position, compete unfairly with similar private businesses. Staff members who work on personal business ventures should do so on their own time and should not compromise their duties with their extension association.

Participating in Commodity Transactions - Buying, selling, and/or trading livestock, crops, or other commodities should not be engaged in if the extension association staff member's position gives an unfair advantage over others in the commodity market place.

Holding an Elected or Appointed Office - Federal legislation no longer prohibits Cooperative Extension educators from participating in partisan politics. However, partisan and non-partisan political activities should be conducted on one's own time, with one's own resources, and should not use, associate or imply the name of Cooperative Extension with it. Participation in these activities should be reviewed by the Director/Administrator of the State Cooperative Extension system to assure that a conflict in responsibilities does not exist.

NOTE: Local county laws should be reviewed to ensure that other conflict of interest standards are incorporated into the Association's human resource policies.

Potential Conflicts of Interest - In regard to the intent of Cornell Cooperative Extensions mission statement, the following areas are considered potential conflicts of interest.

Providing Expert Testimony - Care should be taken to avoid situations in which CCE appears partial to one side in a court case. Providing expert testimony in court may be construed as a consulting service and should be avoided by staff members. Staff members may, however, suggest other institutions or individuals that are qualified to provide expert testimony.

Taking a Non-educational Advocacy Role - Staff members should avoid representing groups and/or causes that are outside the mission of the CCE. Additionally, when dealing with controversial issues of public debate, staff members should make every effort to remain neutral. Extension educators should ensure that education methodologies are utilized that represent issues in a balanced manner.