Research Policy Handbook

4.3

Consulting and Other Outside Professional Activities by Members of the Academic Council and University Medical Line Faculty

Policy Authority

Senate of the Academic Council

Now in Policy Details

Establishes limits on the amount of time that may be spent on outside consulting activities by Stanford faculty, and describes procedures for implementing this policy. 2003 clarification relates to consulting and outside management responsibilities.

On September 7, 2010, the University Provost implemented a requirement for faculty to provide the summary of Stanford University Requirements for Consulting Activities and Agreements whenever entering into a consulting or non-disclosure agreement. You can also find the document in the Related Items section below under the Documents tab.

1. Principles and General Standards

This policy is applicable to all members of the Stanford faculty (Academic Council and University Medical Line) including faculty members serving as University officers. (See the Stanford Faculty Handbook for policies governing those with adjunct, visiting and acting faculty appointments and the School of Medicine Faculty Handbook, Chapter 3, for policies governing Clinician Educators.) 

The purpose of this policy is to state the limits on consulting and related activities and the reasons for those limits.  

Consulting is defined as a professional activity related to the person's field or discipline, where a fee-for-service or equivalent relationship, including a relationship with the potential to produce a financial gain, exists with a third party. Consulting is a form of Outside Professional Activity (as defined in 4.1), and is distinct from certain types of activities as described below.

Consulting and other Outside Professional Activities (as defined in 4.1) can provide an important means of continuing education for the faculty, as well as currency and experience in aspects of their professional fields outside the context of the University itself. These activities can also provide a mechanism for the transfer of knowledge from the University to the public. Though such attributes of Consulting may make faculty better scholars and teachers, the nature of the Consulting process has in it the potential for diversion of faculty from their primary activities and responsibilities. Therefore, the basic principle of this policy is that there must be limitations on the time that a Stanford faculty member may spend on Outside Professional Activities. The limits set forth below are intended to strike a balance between those activities and Stanford Responsibilities (as defined in RPH 4.1), in order to safeguard the interests of both faculty and the University.

Although the policy applies across the University, it cannot address specifically every instance of Consulting and other Outside Professional Activities. In cases of doubt, the primary guide should be the intention to promote the interests of the University as a place of education, learning, and research. Whenever uncertainty exists, it is the faculty member’s obligation to obtain prior consent from the appropriate University officer.

2. Outside Professional Activities

A. Consulting

There are many types of Consulting relationships and fee arrangements, and the precise form entered into may vary. The principle is that, in Consulting, a person agrees to use his or her professional capabilities to further the goals and interests of a third party, in return for an immediate or prospective gain.

Activities or titles that constitute line management or significant managerial responsibility are not permitted.  To avoid implying a line management role, terms such as “officer” or “vice-president” must not be used; on the other hand, the terms “Advisor” or “Consultant” may be used, e.g., “Chief Scientific Advisor”, or “Chief Technical Consultant”. Details of permissible titles and activities in Consulting are set forth in RPH 4.1 Policy on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment.

B. Publication

Publication and scholarly works undertaken as part of a faculty member’s Stanford Responsibilities do not count towards the number of permissible Consulting days. Scholarly communications in the form of books, movies, television productions, art works, etc., though frequently earning financial profit for a faculty member and for another party (e.g., publisher), are not viewed as Consulting. To attempt to distinguish between types of books, to assess the roles of book publication in different disciplines, or to challenge the historical relation between authorship and manuscript ownership would be fraught with danger and confusion. These reservations apply equally to the other types of scholarly communication cited above.

Publication and scholarly works undertaken as part of a faculty member’s Outside Professional Activities count towards the number of permissible Consulting days. If a faculty member is listed as an author on any publication resulting from performance of Consulting services, a disclosure should be included in the work stating that the work was done as a paid consultant and was not part of the individual's Stanford duties and responsibilities.

Faculty may not publish articles or other forms of scholarly communication under their own names in the course of their Outside Professional Activities that are written in whole or material part by employees of the outside entity (i.e., “ghost written”).

C. Professional Service

Professional Service is defined as a form of Outside Professional Activity that is remunerated by no more than a modest honorarium or equivalent and involves services to:

a. United States (US) national commissions, US governmental agencies and boards; peer review panels and speaking engagements for agencies or state and local governmental entities within the US

b. US based philanthropic organizations or charities, US professional societies, US academic journals, visiting committees or advisory groups to other US universities, and analogous domestic bodies

Professional Service is not undertaken for personal financial gain. Therefore, it does not fall within the definition of Consulting under Stanford policy.

Professional Service does not count towards the number of permissible Consulting days.

Federal regulations related to PHS-funded research consider income provided for service to some foundations and professional societies to be Consulting and reporting is required under PHS and NSF Requirements Regarding Financial Disclosures and Agency Notifications in RPH. See 4.2 PHS and NSF Requirements Regarding Financial Disclosures and Agency Notifications.

In addition, even activities such as pro bono work, U.S. government service in the public interest, and any outside employment unrelated to the faculty member's University responsibilities (therefore not Consulting), should be managed so they do not take precedence over a faculty member's primary commitment to the University. 

D. "Moonlighting"

Faculty may pursue a variety of endeavors for financial profit that are not directly related to the faculty's Stanford Responsibilities, but only if it does not detract in a significant way from their full-time commitment to Stanford. These efforts are part of the faculty member's private life and do not come under University regulation or this policy.  Faculty in the School of Medicine must adhere to policies on Moonlighting when it involves providing clinical care.

3. Number of Permissible Consulting Days

Consulting is permitted provided the faculty member's full-time obligation to the University is met. The maximum number of Consulting days permissible for a member of the Academic Council or the University Medical Line Faculty on a full-time appointment is 13 days per academic quarter. This limit strikes a balance that protects Stanford's teaching and research objectives; it is not derived from accounting principles. University holidays are included in each 13-week academic quarter from which the 13-day consultation limit is derived. A limited amount of “averaging” of Consulting time among full-time quarters is permissible if, on occasion, a faculty member plans to consult for more than 13 days in one quarter but no more than 39 days for three academic quarters (the Guidelines for Policy Implementation, below, deal with averaging in more detail). Thirteen days of Consulting per quarter, or 52 days for four quarters of active duty, is intended to be a liberal allocation, yet one that is fair to the University. In addition to this general policy on consulting, there may be restrictions in other University policies or in policies of individual schools or academic units (e.g., those that currently apply to full-time faculty members in clinical departments of the School of Medicine.)

4. Responsibilities of Faculty Members

The responsibility for adhering to the limit on Consulting days, and other aspects of this policy, lies first with the individual faculty member. Faculty members should resolve any questions or ambiguities with their department chairperson or dean before the fact, so that they do not run afoul of the University policies. The University has the right, and indeed the obligation, to ensure excess Consulting does not occur and to seek reimbursement from the faculty member for salary and benefits covering time spent on Consulting beyond the limits provided for by this policy, especially in cases where amounts are significant and the faculty member did not seek prior approval and follow the advice given, as prescribed in RPH 4.1. Faculty members have an obligation to report fully the level (i.e., number of days) of their Consulting activities when asked to do so by the University so that it may be determined whether the principles set forth herein are being adhered to.

To reiterate, all Consulting and Outside Professional Activities may only be pursued after the full-time commitment to Stanford has been fulfilled. Furthermore, faculty must disclose their financial interests and commitments to outside entities that are related to their institutional responsibilities for research/scholarship, teaching/education, administration or clinical care as required by the RPH 4.1 Policy on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment and RPH 4.2 PHS and NSF Requirements Regarding Financial Disclosures and Agency Notifications.

NOTE: Faculty entering into an agreement for Consulting, employment, or an appointment with an external entity must provide that entity with the Stanford Rider (see Stanford University Required Addendum to Consulting or Related Agreement - Attachment A to this policy).

5. Policy Implementation

A. General

Faculty must ensure that Consulting activities do not detract from the prestige of the University or the professional stature of the faculty member.

B. Averaging

Full-time Academic Council members who expect to consult for more than 13 days in any one academic quarter, but not more than 39 days in the academic year, should so inform their department chairperson or dean on a prospective basis. A reasonable amount of “averaging’’ over the quarters of the academic year (or the full year, if the person is at 100 percent time for all four quarters) ordinarily is acceptable, although particular circumstances, such as teaching loads or the terms of support under grants or contracts, will need to be taken into account. Averaging of consulting time from quarters of less than full-time service to quarters of full-time service is not permitted.

C. Consulting During Periods of Part-Time University Employment

The 13-day limit should be pro-rated for those members of the Academic Council holding part-time appointments, using the following formula: [13 x F] + [(1-F) x 6 x 13], where F is the fraction of full-time duty, 13 represents the average number of weeks per quarter, and 6 represents the maximum number of days per week which are likely to be devoted to professional activities during the period of off-duty time. Thus, a faculty member holding a 75% appointment is permitted up to 29-1/4 days of consulting per quarter.

D. Consulting During the Fourth Quarter or During Periods of Leave Without Salary

Faculty members on nine-month appointments with no salary supplement for the fourth quarter (usually, but not always, the summer quarter) are not subject to the 13-day limit during that quarter. Nor does the limit apply to faculty members on leave without salary. The 13-day limit should be prorated on the basis of one day per calendar week of duty time for those on leave without salary for less than a quarter.

If the faculty member receives a 3/9 salary supplement for the fourth quarter the regular 13-day consulting limit shall apply. If the appointment is for less than 3/9 time, one of two conditions applies: (a) the appointment specifies a particular calendar period as “on duty,’’ in which case the regular consulting policy applies during that period and there is no limit during the remaining time; or (b) the appointment is at part-time for all or part of the quarter, in which case Section 5.C. above applies.

E. Consulting While on Sabbatical Leave

The purpose of sabbatical leave is to permit faculty members to take time off from normal University duties to advance their scholarly interests so that they may return to their posts with renewed vigor, perspective, and insight. A faculty member on sabbatical leave receiving full-time University salary may consult up to the regular 13-day limit per quarter during the period of sabbatical. A person on sabbatical receiving less than full-time University salary may supplement income up to the full-time equivalent salary, and in addition, may devote up to a maximum of 13 days per quarter to consulting.

F. Hourly Consulting

Consulting effort is sometimes carried out by the hour and not by the day. In such cases, a total of 130 consulting hours is permitted per full-time academic quarter. Stipulation of this total, as opposed to an hour-to-day conversion formula, permits faculty members added flexibility in carrying out consulting while still protecting the primary interests of the University. The figure 130 does not derive from accounting principles, but stems from subjective judgments about the length of average faculty work days, the work days of businesses employing consultants, and the desire to accommodate legitimate needs of some University faculty. For those individuals who consult on both a daily basis and an hourly basis during one academic quarter, a formula of one consulting day equals 10 consulting hours should be used in calculating total consultation time.

G. Use of University Facilities or Services

The facilities and services of the University may not be used in connection with Outside Professional Activities (excluding Professional Services), except in a purely incidental way.

H. Conflicts of Interest and Commitment

Faculty are required to disclose Outside Professional Activities and Financial Interests as defined and regulated in RPH 4.1 Policy on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment.

6. Attachment A: Stanford University Required Addendum to Consulting or Related Agreement

Print Attachment A to RPH 4.3

 

STANFORD UNIVERSITY REQUIRED ADDENDUM TO CONSULTING OR RELATED AGREEMENT

  1. This Addendum to the Consulting Agreement (“Agreement”) between  ______ (“Entity”) and ______  (“Consultant”) sets forth additional terms and conditions that are required in connection with Consultant’s employment by Stanford University (“Stanford”).
  2. Entity understands and agrees that Consultant is an employee of Stanford, and that Consultant’s primary professional responsibility is to Stanford, including to its education, research, and scholarship programs. Entity further understands and agrees that Consultant’s services under the Agreement may not restrict or hinder his/her ability to conduct current or foreseeable research or teaching assignments with Stanford, nor limit Consultant’s ability to publish work generated at or on the behalf of Stanford, nor infringe on Consultant’s academic freedom.
  3. The parties understand and agree that Consultant must comply with Stanford policies related to, among other things, conflicts of interest and commitment, patent and intellectual property, and scientific or research misconduct, and that such compliance takes priority over, and shall supersede, any obligations Consultant may have to Entity under the Agreement. For example, if Consultant is employed full-time by Stanford, his/her consulting activities are limited to 13 days per academic quarter, and she/he may not have outside managerial responsibilities or any title that implies such management responsibilities regardless of consulting duties, even while on sabbatical leave. Additionally, Consultant may not have principal investigator responsibility for research outside of Stanford, and outside activities may not include the extension of Stanford research into the consulting activity, such that a third party receives early or exclusive access to Stanford research results.
  4. The parties understand and agree that any listing of Consultant on any publication resulting from Consultant’s activities for Entity must include the following disclosure: “Dr./Professor/Title [Name]’s contribution to this publication was as a paid consultant and was not part of his/her Stanford University duties or responsibilities.” Entity and/or Consultant must also make such disclosure at any speaking activities related to the services provided by Consultant under this Agreement.
  5. Entity understands and agrees that Consultant’s activities may be bound by the policies of governmental and funding agencies as applicable, including policies and regulations relating to outside professional activities and conflicts of interest. The parties further understand and agree that such governmental requirements supersede any obligations that Consultant may have to Entity under the Agreement.
  6. The parties understand and agree that Consultant may not use any confidential or proprietary information in the performance of Consultant’s obligations to Entity that Consultant may have acquired through his/her employment, business or research activities at Stanford.
  7. Entity understands and agrees that Stanford owns all right, title and interest in all  potentially patentable inventions conceived, or first reduced to practice, in whole or in part, by Consultant in  the course of Consultant’s Stanford activities, or with more than incidental use of Stanford resources, and that such intellectual property is and must be assigned to Stanford. In addition, title to copyrightable works developed by Consultant with significant use of Stanford resources is also assigned to the Stanford. Entity further acknowledges that Consultant does not have the authority to assign or otherwise transfer rights in any of Stanford’s inventions.
  8. The parties understand and agree that Consultant’s services to Entity may not make more than incidental use of Stanford facilities, supplies, equipment, or other resources, and that Consultant’s obligations to Entity may not involve any Stanford students, employees, post-doctoral trainees or any other Stanford personnel other than the Consultant.
  9. Entity understands and agrees that it shall not use the names, logo or marks of Stanford or any of its affiliates, faculty, staff, employees, students or volunteers in connection with Consultant or Consultant’s services, without prior written permission from Stanford. Entity shall not represent or imply that Stanford endorses Entity or any of its products or services.
  10. The parties understand and agree that in the event Consultant’s appointment is with the Stanford School of Medicine, Consultant must also comply with Stanford Interactions with Industry Policy, which precludes Consultant from, among other things, participating in any Entity activities that are designed solely or predominantly for sales and marketing purposes, participating in “Speaker’s Bureaus,” or publishing articles under his/her own name that are written in whole or material part by Entity’s employees (also known as “ghost writing”).
  11. Entity understands and agrees that Consultant will serve as a consultant in the capacity of an individual, and not as an agent, employee or representative of Stanford. Any confidential or other information provided to Consultant by Entity will be deemed received only by Consultant as an individual and not by Stanford and any obligations pertaining thereto will apply only to the Consultant and not Stanford.
  12. The parties understand that Stanford makes no representations or warranties about the work that is being provided by Consultant, which is his or her responsibility alone. Stanford does not provide any insurance or indemnity for the services provided by Consultant to Entity.
  13. The parties understand and agree that Consultant is required to comply with all applicable laws, including privacy laws and Stanford’s anti-bribery policy. Entity, on behalf of itself and all of its representatives, understands and agrees that it cannot make, offer, request or receive any payments in violation of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, and any other applicable anti-corruption laws.
  14. The terms of this Addendum are incorporated by reference into the Agreement. To the extent any terms of this Addendum conflict with any of the terms of the Agreement, the terms of this Addendum shall be deemed to supersede. This Addendum cannot be changed except by a written document signed by both parties and approved by Stanford’s Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research.

 

Entity

 

Consultant

By: ___________

Name:___________

Title: ___________       

Date: ___________       

                                                

By: ___________                                            

Name:__________

Title: ___________       

 Date: ___________