PIs, project staff, buyers, and other SDSU and/or SDSU Research Foundation employees have a primary responsibility to avoid conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest exists if certain outside business or other interest may adversely affect motivation or performance. The test criteria for determining a conflict of interest includes not only whether an individual is actually improperly influenced but also whether the situation lends itself to improper influence. Even with a conscientious person, a conflicting interest may unconsciously influence, and the mere existence of that interest may cause the propriety of acts to be questioned.

Purchases shall not be made from companies where PIs, project staff, buyers or other SDSU and/or SDSU Research Foundation employees have an economic interest. Such purchases may have at least the appearance of wrongdoing and should therefore be avoided. SDSU Research Foundation’s purchasing staff may make random checks of company ownership to ensure integrity is maintained in all purchasing practices.

Buyers will recertify compliance annually at time of performance evaluation.

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