Use of Students in Outside Employment

• Background and reasons for the Policy:   The Code of Ethics for Public Officials preclude public employees from accepting other employment which will impair the employee's independence of judgement or otherwise create a conflict of interest.

• Purpose of Policy:   To provide guidance on the employment of students by faculty and staff for work external to the University.

• Expected Institutional Outcome:   Compliance with the Code of Ethics.

• Applicability of Policy:   All employees.

• Policy Statement:   Pursuant to Connecticut General Statute Section 1-84(b) of the Code of Ethics for Public Officials, a state employee may not accept other employment which will impair his/her independence of judgement as to his/her official duties or employment.  Furthermore, in accordance with Connecticut General Statute Section 1-86 and the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies Section 1-81-29, a state employee with a potential conflict of interest must inform his/her supervisor who shall assign the matter to another who is not subordinate to the individual with the conflict.

Potential conflicts may occur when a University employee hires a student in any non-University supported activity. Therefore, employees who choose to employ students in any non-University activity must disclose the intent to do so in writing, prior to employing the student.  This disclosure should be made in writing to the Department Head/Dean or the appropriate University official.

The student has on-going recourse to the Provost who will consult with the Dean of the Graduate School (for graduate students) or the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (for undergraduate students) in order to address any grievances that may arise during the term of the employment.

Failure to comply constitutes a violation of the State ethics code and University policy and is subject to disciplinary procedures of both.

• Responsibilities: All employees.

Last update:  June 23, 2008