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Definitions

Academic Supervisor — A person who is or has been the academic supervisor of an undergraduate honours thesis/project, or graduate, postdoctoral or research studies.

Conflict of Interest — A conflict of interest exists in any situation where there is a potential divergence between a Member's personal interests and his or her obligations to the University such that an independent observer would reasonably question whether the Member's behavior or decisions are in any way motivated by considerations of personal interest, financial or otherwise. A conflict of interest may be real, perceived or potential.

Real conflict: At least three prerequisites have to be established before a Member can be said to be in a real conflict of interest. They are:

• the existence of a private interest;
• that it is known to the Member; and
• that it has a connection with his/her university duties or responsibilities that is sufficient to influence the exercise of those duties or responsibilities.

Perceived conflict: A perceived conflict of interest exists when there is a reasonable apprehension, which reasonably well-informed persons could have, that a conflict of interest exists.

Potential conflict: A potential conflict of interest is one that may develop into a real or perceived conflict. The potential for conflict exists as soon as the Member can reasonably foresee that he or she has a private interest that may be sufficient to influence a public duty or responsibility. It may be real or perceived.

A conflict of interest does not necessarily imply wrongdoing as a conflict of interest depends upon the circumstances and not on the character of a Member. In addition, the presence of a real, perceived or potential conflict of interest does not necessarily preclude the involvement of the Member, but it does mean that the conflict shall be disclosed by the Member, and allowed and managed or disallowed, and any decision recorded appropriately.

Family Associate — A person who is related to the Member by blood or adoption, or is or has been related to the Member by marriage or common-law marriage.

Financial Interest and Financial Benefit — The receipt or expectation of anything of monetary value, including pay or salary or other payments for services (e.g., consulting fees, bonuses, speaker's fees, advisory board remuneration, finders or recruitment fees, or honoraria), equity interests (stocks, stock options or the like), security or other ownership interests, and intellectual property rights (e.g., patents, copyrights, royalties or carried interests or options related to such rights).

Member — Any person who teaches, conducts research, studies or works at or under the auspices of the University and includes, without limitation:

• tenure-track, tenure or contractual faculty;
• permanent, temporary or contract staff;
• all students;
• clinical faculty (includes stipendiary and non-stipendiary appointments);
• adjunct faculty in their capacity as researchers, instructors or co-supervisors of students;
• per-course instructors, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants and associates; and
• any other persons while they are acting on behalf of or at the request of the University.

Outside Activity — Any activity outside a Member's work with the University that involves the same or similar specialized skill and knowledge that a Member uses in his or her work with the University and includes, but is not limited to, the ownership and operation of a business, consulting and advisory services.

Personal Associate — A person with whom the Member has or has had in the previous five years, a financial, intimate or other close relationship.

Professional Associate — A person with whom the Member has or has had within the previous five years, a close or substantial professional relationship and includes, but is not limited to, a relationship of mentor, co-author, research collaborator or research investigator or employment supervisor of the Member.

Unit Head — This term includes Heads of Departments, Divisions or Schools, Deans, Directors, Executive Directors, the University Librarian, the University Registrar, Associate Vice-Presidents, Vice-Presidents and the President. For the purposes of this policy, the Unit Head for the President shall be the Chair of the Board of Regents.

University — ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ University of Newfoundland.

Procedures: