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Conflicts of Interest

You can access an up-to-date version of the University’s Conflict of Interest or Commitment Policy via the University Secretariat's Senate Policies webpage. The policy discusses the following broad topics:

Section 2: Definitions (Section 2) Section 3: Conflict of Commitment
  • Committee Work (3.1)
  • Outside Professional Activities (3.2)
  • Directorships and Membership in Boards (3.3)
Section 4: Conflict of Interest
  • Committees (4.1)
Section 5: Contexts and Circumstances
  • Teaching (5.1)
  • Scholarly Activities (5.2)
  • Service as a Referee (5.2A)
  • Ethical Tradition of the Discipline (5.2B)
  • Recognition of Scholarship (5.2C)
  • Independence in Choosing Licensees (5.2D)
  • Business Interest in Research Field (5.2E)
  • Payment of Research Honoraria (5.2F)
Section 6: Financial and Non-Financial Gain
  • Acceptance of Gifts (6.1)
  • Business Decisions (6.2)
  • Client Solicitation (6.3)

Section 7: Favouritism in Employment

Section 8: Procedures for Resolution and Compliance

For specific details, please consult directly the Conflict of Interest or Commitment Policy, which you can find on the University Secretariat's Senate Policies website.

Conflicts of Interest on Committees

All perceived or actual conflicts are to be disclosed. It is always best to err on the side of caution and ensure that members do not participate on appointments or RTP committees when there is even the appearance of conflict.

Where it is believed that there is a perceived or actual conflict, the unit leader (head) is to make a determination of whether there is a conflict of interest and to make arrangements so that, where there is a conflict, it is avoided or does not persist. Resolutions could include: allowing participation in discussion but not voting; allowing voting but not participation in discussion; prohibiting any participation on the matter (including attendance).

If the attempt to resolve the conflict fails, then the council or committee adjudicates the matter. Also, if the disclosure occurs in the context of a meeting, the committee adjudicates the matter.

Attention should be given to careful recording and documentation of these situations by the retention and filing of oral and written disclosures, for example in the unit leader’s files or in the minutes of a committee meeting.

For specific details, please consult directly the Conflict of Interest or Commitment Policy, which you can find on the University Secretariat's Senate Policies website.

If you have any questions regarding this topic or a related matter, your first point of contact is Renée Wintermute, the University Secretary.

Note: This site is a living document, the goal of which is to improve, in some small way, the working lives of University of Windsor faculty. We are eager to collaborate with the campus community to better this service over time. If you can identify any knowledge gaps, missing resources, or outdated or erroneous information on this site, please contact Iva Gentcheva, Director, Office of the Provost and Faculty Recruitment, without hesitation.