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Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs

Policy Clarification Conflicts of Commitment and Interest in Teaching

In March 1996, the University approved a new Policy on Conflicts of Commitment and Interest. While the Policy is intended to guide the outside activities of the academic staff in all areas, clarification of outside teaching is necessary, especially in view of the development of distance learning technologies. In this context, teaching is viewed as an interactive activity between the teacher and student, requiring substantial investment of time and intellect; it includes responding to student questions, designing appropriate assignments and evaluating student responses. While teaching so defined could previously only take place in a classroom setting, the Internet has the potential to extend such teaching across space and time.

Two principles underlie this policy clarification. The first principle separates teaching as unique and primary among the University's tripartite functions of teaching, research and public service. Expectations in teaching are different from those associated with research, service, and other academic activities. Teaching is a fundamental responsibility of faculty members and is quantified in the form of a teaching load at the departmental level. Thus, it is easier to identify actual or potential conflicts of commitment and interest in teaching, whether it be in a classroom, on the Internet, or via satellite.

The second principle relates to the basic responsibilities of the academic staff to the University of Illinois. Acceptance of a University appointment involves a commitment to meet University obligations first and foremost.

Defining principles and policies for conflict of commitment and interest for faculty teaching has become more necessary with development of the Internet and other technologies that permit asynchronous instruction to assist or replace traditional classroom teaching. Nevertheless, this clarification is intended to cover all forms of teaching. It does not relate to the development of courseware but only to participation in actual teaching. The development of courseware, including software for Internet use, is covered by intellectual property policy, as well as under research and scholarly activity within the Conflict policy. This statement is intended to be fully consistent with and complementary to the 1996 Policy on Conflicts of Commitment and Interest.

Outside Teaching

Outside teaching includes all forms of instruction whether in the classroom or via distance learning offered by other entities (including for-profit organizations). This policy clarification is intended for faculty employed full-time during the academic or calendar year. Teaching loads are defined at the departmental level and remaining faculty time and effort is presumed to be spent in research and public service activities. Outside teaching of particular concern is remunerated (or income-generating), in the faculty member's general area of professional expertise and at the undergraduate, graduate or professional level.

University of Illinois teaching loads are different from those at many other colleges and universities, due to the expectations of the faculty in areas of research and public service. Teaching, other than that assigned or approved by the department, likely represents a conflict of commitment. Furthermore, it could be a conflict of interest if it competes with courses offered by the University. In special cases, where the institution would benefit by our faculty participating in courses offered by others, approval should be sought from the unit head and would be expected. Occasionally, the University may contract with another institution to provide instruction, such as a collaboration within the CIC. Such cases are normally contractual between the institutions and comprise part of the faculty member's teaching load. Furthermore, any approval of outside teaching should be renewed on an annual basis.

University policy allows faculty, with prior approval, to consult one day per week. However, teaching is not consulting and not subject, on this basis, to the one day per week privilege.

Policy Clarification

With the exception of occasional guest lectures or seminars, teaching for another entity while employed as a full-time faculty member at the University of Illinois represents a potential conflict of commitment and interest unless such teaching is part of a faculty member's teaching load. Such teaching is prohibited without prior written approval of the unit executive officer. The Policy specifies that all reports of potential conflicts are transmitted through normal reporting channels to the Vice Chancellor for Research on each campus and, if warranted, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Policy also affords academic employees an appeal process when an external activity is denied.

Outside teaching, whether in the classroom or on the Internet, is governed by common principles.

3/24/98

 

 

 

 

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