POL-U2100.04 Faculty Policy on Compensated Professional Activities

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Effective Date:

April 14, 2023

Approved by:

President Sabah Randhawa

Who does this policy apply to?

This policy applies to all University faculty members and research employees with research, creative activity, and publication as a central part of their official University duties.

This policy does not apply to use of University resources by a faculty member or research employee engaged in outside work as described in POL-U5400.18 Faculty Policy on Outside Work Including Consulting
 

Overview

There is no overview for this policy.

Definitions

Compensated Professional Activity

An activity performed by University faculty members or research employees who are expected to produce, publish, and disseminate research and scholarship, or engage in creative activities, as described in, and as part of, their official University duties.

Department Heads

Academic department chairs and deans, directors of academic units, and others who have direct oversight responsibility for compensated professional activities by faculty members and research employees within their areas.

Faculty (or Faculty Member)

A University employee who holds a faculty position as described in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Western Washington University and United Faculty of Western Washington.

Official University Duties

An employee’s duties or job description within the specific scope of employment defined by the University, collective bargaining agreement, contract, statute, or state Constitution.

Outside Work

A faculty member providing professional expert advice related to their scholarly, technological, scientific, and creative expertise to outside entities or individuals, including any other outside work, consulting, or self-employment activity performed by a faculty member, whether compensated or not, which is entirely outside of their official University duties.

Research Employee

A University employee who holds a faculty position as defined above and who is expected to engage in research, technology transfer, approved consulting activities related to research and technology transfer, or other incidental activities, as described in their official University duties.

Policy Statements

1. University Allows Compensated Professional Activities for Performance of Official University Duties

The Washington Legislature enacted 2022 Wash. Laws Ch. 173 ("Higher Education Faculty – Ethics") which amended the state ethics laws, in particular RCW 42.52.010, RCW 42.52.200, 42.52.220, and 42.52.360.  As amended, the law allows the University to permit compensated professional activities by faculty members or research employees while using University resources when those activities are a central part of their official University duties. Such use of University resources does not undermine public trust and confidence, is often deemed valuable by a variety of communities beyond the University, inspires the professional development of faculty members or research employees, and will advance the mission and strategic plan of the University.

A faculty member or research employee may be compensated beyond the University for compensated professional activities performed as part of their official University duties in compliance with applicable University policies (including this policy).

2. Governance of Compensated Professional Activities

As part of their official University duties, compensated professional activities by faculty members or research employees are governed by the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement and Faculty Handbook, and applicable University policies (including this policy), RCW 42.52 Ethics in Public Service, and WAC 292-110-010 Use of State Resources. 

Consistency and clarity between these governing resources supports faculty members’ and research employees’ responsibility for compliance as described in Section 3 below.

3. Faculty Members and Research Employees are Responsible for Compliance

Faculty members and research employees engaged in compensated professional activities are responsible for compliance with the Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement and Faculty Handbook, and applicable University policies (including this policy), RCW 42.52 Ethics in Public Service, and WAC 292-110-010 Use of State Resources.

4. Acceptable Use of University Resources

With respect to RCW 42.52.360(2)(c)(ii), acceptable levels of use of University resources by faculty and research employees engaged in compensated professional activities include:

  1. Faculty may use University resources to produce, publish, and disseminate research and scholarship, or engage in creative activities, as described in their official University duties.
     
  2. Research employees may use University resources to engage in research, technology transfer, approved consulting activities related to research and technology transfer, or other incidental activities, as described in their official University duties.
     
  3. Both faculty and research employees may use University resources such as, but not limited to, email, databases, other library resources, consumables, etc., to disseminate their compensated professional activities.  Use of University resources for this purpose is beneficial to the University and the state.

Exception: This section does not apply to use of University resources by a faculty member or research employee engaged in outside work as defined above. See POL-U1500.09 Faculty Policy on Outside Work, POL-U5400.17 Professional Staff Policy on Consulting and Other Outside Compensated Professional Activities, and POL-U1500.08 Using University Resources.

5. University Ethics Advisor Available for Consultation

Department heads, faculty members, and research employees may consult with the University Ethics Advisor to help ensure compliance with this policy and state ethics laws.

6. State Executive Ethics Board Enforces Ethics Laws

The Executive Ethics Board is responsible for enforcing the state ethics laws, in particular, RCW 42.52 Ethics in Public Service, and WAC 292-110-010 Use of State Resources, with respect to the compensated professional activities of faculty and research employees.

Policy Information