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At its Feb. 11 meeting, the University Faculty Senate approved changes to the University’s research policy and accepted several new academic concentrations.
It also began web casting its meetings, with the proceedings available in archives for viewing at a later date.
Live video streaming of the next meeting will begin shortly before 4 p.m. Monday, March 4, and video minutes of the Feb. 11 meeting are available at the Faculty Senate web site at [http://www.udel.edu/facsen/].
The revised research policy, which was passed without discussion, deals with faculty and professional staff involvement with commercial enterprises that have relationships with the University.
As defined by the new document, “A conflict of interest occurs when there is a divergence between an individual’s private interests and his or her professional obligations such that an independent observer might reasonably question whether the individual’s professional actions or decisions are influenced by considerations of personal gain, financial or otherwise. A conflict of interest depends on the situation, and not on the character or actions of the individual.”
According to Richard D. Holsten, associate provost for research, the revised policy is similar to those in place at other leading research universities and “eliminates certain restrictions imposed on faculty and staff who have, or contemplate having, interactions with outside commercial entities.”
As revised, Research Policy 6-11 establishes general procedures for identifying and managing potential conflicts of interest and creates means for managing conflicts that may arise. Primary oversight is at the college level and decisions may be appealed to the provost’s office. The revised policy may be found at the University Faculty Senate web site [www.udel.edu/facsen/agenda/02-11-02.htm].
In other business, the senators approved three new academic concentrations: ancient Greek and Roman studies in the College of Arts and Science and aerospace and biomedical engineering within the Department of Mechanical Engineering. New honors degrees were approved in the fields of natural resource management, health and physical education and health behavior management.
Senate President James Richards announced that nomination forms are available at the University Faculty Senate web site for the excellence-in-teaching award and the excellence-in-undergraduate-advising award.
Feb. 19, 2002
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