Faculty Start-ups and University Employees

Full-time employees involved in start-up companies must manage potential conflicts of interest and commitment.

Faculty may not:

• 🤝 Represent or negotiate for outside organizations in matters involving the University
• ⚖️ Act on behalf of the University in matters involving organizations in which they have a financial interest
• 🎯 Use their University position for inappropriate personal advantage

Faculty must disclose their involvement in the start-up and undergo a review by the Conflict of Interest Committee (COIC).

External Professional Activities (Policy 152): Dos and Don’ts

Participation in a start-up must adhere to

• ⛔ Must not interfere with normal duties
• 🚫 Must not compete with University services
• 📅 Limited to one day per week during the contract period
• 🗂️ Maintain records of time spent
• 🛫 Absences longer than 10 working days require approval

Strategies to Manage Conflicts

• 🔍 Recognize situations that may create conflicts
• 🗣️ Discuss start-up plans with department/unit leadership
• 🔄 Communicate with the NDSU Research Foundation and COI office
• 🔒 Keep company activities separate from University responsibilities.  Use separate email addresses and phone numbers.

Use of University Resources

University resources may not be used for company activities unless covered by a documented agreement.

Examples

• 🧫 Use of core facilities with agreements and external rates
• 🛠️ Use of University equipment with appropriate agreements and fees

Involvement of Students and Postdocs in Faculty Start-Ups

While involvement may enhance training, students and postdocs are vulnerable populations. Participation must be voluntary, developmentally beneficial, and must not interfere with academic progress.

Considerations

• 📉 Will participation interfere with degree or training timelines?
• 🎓 Will graduation requirements be affected?
• 📝 Will these activities have restrictions on publishing or presentation that could negatively impact publication of the student’s thesis, dissertation, publication work, oral presentations, or other requirements for degree completion?
• 💼 Is the individual supported by funding (fellowship, training grant, etc.) that restricts work with for-profit entities?
• 🤝 Could the advisor–advisee relationship be compromised?
• 🕒 Will full-time enrollment be affected?
• 🌐 Are there visa-related restrictions?

Questions?  Contact the Conflict of Interest Office: ndsu.coic@ndsu.edu or 701-231-8995.