Approved by Board of Trustees
Effective Date: December 10, 2019
Responsible Division: Business and Finance
Responsible Office:  Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management
Responsible Officer:  Assistant Vice President for Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management

I. Purpose

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU or University) has a fiduciary responsibility to fulfill its overall mission in compliance with applicable policies, laws, regulations, rules, contracts, grants, and donor restrictions. As the University pursues its mission, it is committed to conducting its business in an ethical and law-abiding fashion; it will maintain a business culture that builds and promotes compliance consciousness.

The University is also committed to the core values of honesty, integrity, respect for diversity, engagement in the community, and commitment to non-violence. As part of the University’s core values, employees are expected to promote the best interests of students; treat others with respect and civility; conduct University business with the highest level of ethical standards and integrity; utilize University resources in a manner that avoids waste, fraud, and abuse; and maintain a culturally rich and diverse environment in which to work and learn. This policy sets forth standards of conduct to support these core values and, in so doing, to protect the reputation, credibility, financial well-being, and legal obligations of the University.

II. Scope

This policy applies to all employees of the University whether employed full-time, part-time, or temporary, and includes student workers where appropriate.

III. Policy

All employees of the University are expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty and integrity in the performance of their employment duties. Accordingly, the following are general standards of conduct related to an employee’s duty to the University.

A.  Employees must comply with Policy 12 Conflict of Interest. Employees must refrain from using their position at the University, or any privileges obtained through employment at the University, in a manner that would unduly influence or result in a personal advantage to the employee or to the employee’s immediate family members. Employees shall not have any personal interest, financial or otherwise, or directly or indirectly engage in a business transaction or professional activity that conflicts with the proper performance and responsibilities of their duties in the course of University employment, or that provides the appearance of such conflict. As provided for in Policy 12 Conflict of Interest, employees must disclose information on the nature and extent of any financial interests in entities that do business with the University.

B.  Employees must comply with Policy 71 Preventing and Reporting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse, and should become familiar with the reporting process.

C.  Employees must comply with Policy 814 Outside Employment, Extra Compensation, and Dual Services Agreements as concerns employment outside of, and in addition to, the employee’s responsibilities at the University.

D.  Employees shall not accept any compen