Review Process
The Conflict of Interest Committee (COIC) is an academic committee acting under authority from the Chancellor to review potential financial conflicts of interest and make recommendations to the Vice Chancellor for Research for acceptance, acceptance with conditions, or disapproval of the gift, grant or contract. Such a review and recommendation must be completed before the University accepts the funding. The COIC will notify the faculty member in writing about its findings and actions.
Appeal Process
If a faculty member whose conflict has been reviewed does not agree with the Committee's recommendation and the Vice Chancellor’s decision, then the faculty member may contact the COI Coordinator and request an appeal. Typically, the appeal process involves an appearance before the Committee by the faculty member to answer questions and/or to provide additional information to the Committee.
Meeting Schedule
Meetings are held once a month. The submittal deadline for positive disclosures is 9 working days prior to the meeting.
Confidentiality Statement
The Conflict of Interest Committee (COIC) meetings are private. COIC members attend monthly meetings to discuss all investigators identified on a proposal who disclose the existence of an outside interest when submitting the applicable disclosure form(s). COIC members shall keep in confidence all meeting materials (i.e. proposals, publications, financial disclosures, gift documentation, consulting agreements, meeting minutes, correspondence, and other supporting documents) and proceedings, including any discussion and action taken in those meetings. All COIC members are aware that any corresponding documents related to committee business may contain sensitive information related to individuals involved in research projects. Printed materials for committee members, electronic communications and supplemental materials containing sensitive information are destroyed upon completion of the meeting.
Members also recognize that their confidentiality obligation survives expiration of their membership on the COIC.
Public Records Requests
While this information will be kept confidential, this information may be released or transmitted to the sponsor, including federal agency representatives, and according to the California Public Records Act and the Freedom of Information Act, may also be released to the public, upon request. These records will be retained for 3 years after termination of sponsored project or until resolution of any action by the sponsor, whichever is greater. The Office of Record is the Office of Research.