MEMORANDUM

TO:	Study Abroad Faculty
FROM:	Kathleen Fairfax, Director, Office of Study Abroad
DATE:	August 21, 2007
RE:	Conflict of Interest in Study Abroad

Recently, the New York Times reported on efforts by the New York State Attorney General to investigate relationships between colleges and study-abroad providers. Follow-up articles were printed in the Chronicle of Higher Education. The focus of the scrutiny is on relationships and practices “that are too cozy with schools” and that unfairly impact or are not disclosed to study abroad students and their families.

The Office of Study Abroad is committed to being as transparent as possible with respect to our study abroad financial arrangements. In meeting that commitment, I am asking all faculty involved in study abroad to carefully review any financial transactions or other business dealings on any study abroad programs which you direct. Financial transaction or business dealings that might pose a conflict of interest should be disclosed pursuant to the Faculty Conflict of Interest Policy. That Policy specifies that “a conflict of interest exists when a faculty member’s financial interests or other opportunities for tangible personal benefit may compromise, or reasonably appear to compromise, the independence of judgment with which the faculty member performs his/her responsibilities at the University.” Disclosure is especially important in the event of a contract between MSU and an outside company or organization in which you hold a significant financial interest, even when you are not initiating or taking an active role in assessing or negotiating the contract. When the interest meets or exceeds certain standards established by state law, such a contract must be approved by the Board of Trustees.

For more information regarding this situation, see Study Abroad Financing: Q&A regarding practices at MSU.

I greatly value your hard work and dedication in leading quality study abroad programs for our students. I appreciate your willingness to help us be as transparent as possible in all of our financial arrangements for study abroad. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or the Interim Faculty Conflict of Interest Information Officer, Dr. Terry May (432-7140).