School of Medicine & Public Health – Conflicts of Interest in Student-Related SMPH Health Professions Programs Committees and Assessment

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Policy Number:
SMPH-8075
Old Policy Number:
80.75
Responsible Office:
SMPH Office of Academic Affairs

School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

Conflicts of interest, real or perceived, may arise when members of School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) health professions programs committees participate in decision-making processes involving a student or applicant with whom they have a personal, professional, or academic relationship. Conflicts may also arise when faculty members assess students in academic or research endeavors. This policy addresses potential conflicts of interest for members of student-related SMPH committees and for individuals assessing students and defines those instances where committee members must recuse themselves from official proceedings and/or decline to assess students.

Definitions:
Academic relationship
An academic relationship may exist if a committee member has:
  1. served as a formal mentor to the student or applicant;
  2. evaluated or assessed the student or applicant for reasons other than those necessary for the work of the committee, and that evaluation or assessment is relevant to the issue at hand; or
  3. provided the student or applicant with advice on personal matters.
Assessment
The process used to measure progress over a given period of time. Assessment may be formative, such as feedback, or summative.
Committee member
A participant on any committee concerning program student admissions, promotions, grievances, appeals, or other student-related matters. Committee members may include SMPH faculty, staff, and students; honorary/adjunct faculty; and members of the community.
Conflict of interest
When a committee member has an academic, personal, or professional relationship with a student or applicant being evaluated by that committee. Current or past associations other than those noted above may constitute a conflict of interest and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the chair of the relevant committee.
When a faculty member has a personal or professional relationship with a student, a conflict of interest exists regarding the assessment of that student.
Personal relationship
A relationship in which a reasonable person may perceive a conflict of interest including but not limited to relationships in which the committee member or assessor is the spouse, partner, parent, sibling, child, or other relative of a student or applicant or other relative.
Professional relationship
A relationship in which:
  1. a committee member or assessor has provided healthcare services to a student or applicant, or
  2. there is or was a direct reporting relationship between a committee member or assessor and a student or applicant.
Policy:

  1. Committee Membership

    1. On an annual basis, committee members will attest in writing that they have reviewed and agree to the Conflict of Interest Agreement for SMPH Student-Related Committee Members.

    2. In accordance with the agreement, committee members will recuse themselves, at a minimum, from voting or decision-making with respect to any student or applicant if the committee member has a conflict of interest

  2. Assessment

    Faculty members and other assessors shall not knowingly assess students with whom they have a personal or professional conflict of interest

Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Dean, School of Medicine and Public Health
Policy Manager:
Director of Education Accreditation and Compliance
Contact:
Director of Education Accreditation and Compliance -- Megan Heneke, megan.heneke@wisc.edu, (608) 265-4811
Effective Date:
05-01-2017
Date Issued:
05-01-2017
Revised Dates:

11-01-2019, 2-1-2023, 10-28-2024

Retrieved:
12-03-2024 18:16:27