Indiana University has launched a new working group to further review and refine proposed revisions to IU policy BOT-34: Conflicts of Interest and Commitment. The university initiated the effort after a recent public comment period generated substantive feedback from faculty, staff and other stakeholders.

The proposed revisions aimed to simplify policy language, clarify definitions of external activities and introduce a requirement to pre-approve those activities. The 10-business-day comment window highlighted the need for additional review.

“Feedback during the public comment period brought attention to a wide range of concerns from faculty and staff,” said Susan Popham, University Faculty Council co-chair and associate professor at IU Southeast. “To address these, the Academic Leadership Council Executive Committee has convened a working group with representatives from faculty and staff that aims to produce a clear, effective policy that guides conflicts of interest and commitment processes for the university community.”

Working group members

• Latha Ramchand, IU Indianapolis chancellor.
• Caroline Chick Jarrold, associate dean for natural and mathematical sciences and research in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington.
• Heather Coates, University Faculty Council Research Affairs Committee chair and digital scholarship and data management librarian at IU Indianapolis.
• Mary Dankoski, executive associate dean for faculty affairs and professional development in the IU School of Medicine.
• Chris Darr, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at IU Kokomo.
• Aaron Ganci, associate professor in the Herron School of Art and Design at IU Indianapolis.
• Mark Kelley, professor in the IU School of Medicine.
• Ben Kravitz, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington.
• Chad Lochmiller, University Faculty Council Academic Affairs Committee co-chair and professor in the School of Education at IU Bloomington.
• Krista Longtin, University Faculty Council Academic Affairs Committee co-chair and assistant dean for faculty affairs and professional development in the IU School of Medicine.
• Tanya Perkins, University Faculty Council Academic Affairs Committee co-chair and associate professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at IU East.
• Susan Popham, University Faculty Council co-chair and associate professor at IU Southeast.
• David Wild, professor in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at IU Bloomington.
• Mike Jenson, associate vice president and chief compliance officer.
• Shelley Bizila, associate vice president for research compliance.
• Stephanie Jones, associate director for research compliance.
• Baris Kiyar, associate vice president for procurement.
• Dave Duncan, policy and compliance manager with Human Resources.

Next steps

The group will meet weekly to identify opportunities for refinement and develop recommendations for potential revisions to BOT-34. The review will consider both previously submitted comments and additional feedback received throughout the process.

Faculty, staff and other stakeholders are invited to share questions or comments by emailing policies@iu.edu.