As a member of the Rice community, we need your help to uphold high ethical standards at Rice and comply with Rice policies and laws. To that end, as stated in the introduction to Policy 838: Conflict of Interest, “All University employees are expected to perform their responsibilities diligently, legally, honestly, in good faith, in accord with principles of loyalty and fidelity to Rice University, and in furtherance of Rice's mission of education, research, and scholarship.” A crucial part of this mandate is the avoidance of conflicts of interest, and even avoiding the appearance of such conflicts.

So, what is a conflict of interest?

A “conflict of interest” occurs when a Rice employee’s personal, professional, financial, or other interests potentially—or actually—compete with or diminish Rice’s interests or interfere with the employee's performance of Rice duties. This can include indirect conflicts, such as benefits provided to a Rice employee’s immediate family member. It can also include paid or unpaid activities outside Rice.

Here are some examples of potential conflicts of interest:

1. An employee accepting gifts or favors from vendors who do business with Rice. Employees must avoid accepting personal gifts, favors, or hospitality that could influence their decisions or compromise their judgment regarding university matters.

2. An employee participating in the hiring or promotion of a family member or close friend.

3. An employee engaging in outside consulting work that may conflict with their university duties or compete with Rice’s interests.

What should you do if you believe you may have a potential or actual conflict of interest?

Faculty with actual or potential conflicts of interest or commitment should follow the process set out in Policies 216 and 218. Policy 838 also provides guidance for non-research conflicts.

All employees should make a timely, full and truthful disclosure in writing of all relevant facts and circumstances of an actual or potential conflict of interest so that the University can adequately evaluate the conflict and determine the appropriate management plan. The disclosure should be to the employee's immediate supervisor, who may also seek guidance from the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Enterprise Risk, the Office of the General Counsel or other relevant university offices detailed in Policy 838.

Who should you contact if you have a potential conflict of interest?

The Office of Ethics, Compliance and Enterprise Risk at rice.compliance@rice.edu or the Office of General Counsel at 713-348-5237 (or by email to legal@rice.edu). 

If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can call the EthicsPoint Hotline at 1-866-294-4633 or go to www.rice.edu/ethics.