State Conflict of Interest
The Indiana state law is in place to prevent unfair influence over government decisions and ensure public resources are used ethically. A state conflict of interest happens when a public servant (university employees are public servants) or their dependents have a personal financial stake in a contract or purchase made by the government entity they work for. A dependent includes the public servant's spouse, children under 18, and anyone the public servant financially supports for more than half of the year.
Public servants must not knowingly or intentionally:
- Have a financial interest in a government contract or purchase.
- Make a profit from a contract or purchase related to their government entity.
- If they do, it is considered a conflict of interest and could lead to a Level 6 felony.
State COI Disclosure Process
Submit the University's State Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form
The Indiana State Law requires you to disclose in advance any interest in a contract or purchase with Indiana University if the contract or purchase will result or is intended to increase your or your dependent’s income or net worth. If you have such a conflict of interest, you must complete and submit the University’s State Conflict of Interest Disclosure form. Once submitted, your form will be routed to the following offices for review and approval:
- University Compliance and Policy Office
- Dean, Department head, or Director for your unit
- Your campus’s Executive Officer (Provost or Chancellor)
- Vice President and General Counsel
If the dollar value of the transaction exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), after approval by the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel, our office will present the form to the University’s Board of Trustees at the next scheduled meeting.
If the dollar value of the transaction is five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or less, it may be approved by the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel without presentation to the Board.
Once the form is approved, it will be signed by the Board Secretary and sent to the State Board of Accounts. You will receive an email when the form has been formally approved.
