Office for Responsible Outside Interests

What is Significant Use of University Resources?

“Significant Use of University Resources” includes but is not limited to: use of research funding; use of funding allocated for asynchronous or distance learning programs; use of telecommunication and data services beyond ordinary use; use of university computing resources; use of instructional design or media production services; access to and use of research equipment and facilities or production facilities; use of University Assets* such as paid employee time, proprietary information, intellectual property (such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights), logos,

"I will only need to submit a COI when I am notified that the proposal will get funded, not while we are still waiting for a decision, correct?"

An up-to-date COI disclosure (either an Annual Disclosure or Research Certification submitted within the last 364 days) is required at the time of proposal to a federal funding agency.

Additionally, Federal regulations prohibit expenditures on Awards until after the COI review process is complete. Our office desires to see all funded research go forward without delay.

Why do personnel on my IRB protocol have to submit a Research Certification?

The Human Subjects Protection Program requires protocol personnel submit a Research Certification via eDisclosure for each project they are listed on in eIRB.  For sponsored research, the Human Subjects Protection program has mapped IRB protocol roles to the sponsored project personnel categories. This mapping tool can be used to ensure protocol personnel complete Research Certifications: Investigator Mapping.

"Given that so many colleges and academics were taken by surprise by this policy, I strongly recommend that the policy be reviewed by the full Faculty Senate for deliberation, for comparison with peer universities, and for revision."

RII also believes that it was important to get feedback from Faculty Senate and other stakeholders.  As such, the policy underwent multiple stakeholder reviews, including review by Faculty Senate and APPC.  It was presented to the full Faculty Senate at its December 2, 2019, senate meeting and circulated to the Faculty Senate for review prior to implementation on an interim basis in May 2021.  It was also discussed at a January 9, 2020 APPC meeting in which Taren Ellis Langford was present.  (Please know that all suggestions and edits from APPC

"I have been invited by a school district to provide professional development and will be paid for 6 hours of work. Is this a COC or COI?"

Please work with your college to determine if this is outside of your institutional duties and responsibilities.  If this activity meets the definition of an Outside Commitment, it should be disclosed for conflict of commitment review.  The Outside Commitment Decision Tree on our Disclosure Requirements webpage may be of assistance in making this determination.

"If a local teacher or school asks me to assist with a curriculum or teaching project (per my expertise), is this a COC? It seems like it would be a service project. How does one distinguish between service and a COC?"

Please work with your college to determine if this is outside of your institutional duties and responsibilities.  If this activity meets the definition of an Outside Commitment, it should be disclosed for conflict of commitment review.  The Outside Commitment Decision Tree on our Disclosure Requirements webpage may be of assistance in making this determination.

"I have been invited to participate in a small conference. The conference is funded by a grant and the grantee is reimbursing participants for travel expenses. Is this a COC/COI?"

There is not enough information to determine whether this should be disclosed for conflict of interest review.  (e.g., Is it a UArizona grant?  Are you funded by a PHS agency or the Dept of Energy?)  Please contact OROI at coi@arizona.edu or visit our office hours (1st & 3rd Thursday, 2 pm – 3 pm; Connect via Zoom) for assistance.