Discloser FAQs
1. I received an email about completing a disclosure. Which disclosure should I complete?
Academic staff with paid appointments need to complete the Report of Non-University Activities (RNUA).
Anyone – whether they are academic staff, civil service staff, a student, or a consultant — who is working on a project funded by a sponsor with additional financial conflict of interest requirements, must complete the Sponsor Specific Questionnaire.
Both disclosures are in the START myDisclosures system.
2. I completed an RNUA in July when I was hired, do I have to repeat the process in September?
Yes. RNUAs are submitted on an academic year basis. The academic year runs from August 16-August 15 of the following year.
3. Do I need to report my spouse’s job?
You only need to report an immediate family member’s activities when they are reasonably related to your University responsibilities. For example, if you were an events director for your department and oversee contracts for caterers and your spouse owns a catering company, you would need to disclose that activity.
4. How do I calculate the time spent on outside non-university activities for the RNUA?
There is a time calculating tool at https://phstraveldisclosure.research.illinois.edu/TimeCalculatingTool.aspx.
5. I’m having technical problems completing a disclosure – who do I contact?
Contact the COI office for assistance.
Common Misconceptions
1. If I spend less than one day per week on non-University activities, I don’t have to report it on the RNUA.
False. All non-University activities need to be reported, regardless of the amount of time spent on the activity.
2. I only work on my non-University activity on nights and weekends, so I don’t have to report or request time on the RNUA.
False. State law and University policy require academic staff to request time to spend on non-University activities for the current academic year and to report the actual time spend on those activities in the previous academic year.
3. I earn less than $10,000 a year through my non-University activity, so I don’t have to disclose it.
False. The University’s Policy on Conflicts of Commitment and Interest does not have a de minimus threshold for reporting. All outside activities need to be reported, regardless of the amount of income.
4. I talked to one of my colleagues and they said I don’t have to report X, Y, Z…
Always check with the COI office to make sure the advice you receive from your colleagues aligns with policy.
5. I get 20% of my time to engage in non-University activities.
False. The University recognizes a guideline that in general, spending one day per seven-day week on non-University activities does not present a conflict of commitment. However, the academic staff member must report the activity, request the time to engage in the activity, and receive approval from their UEO.