/Institutions/University-of-Texas-Rio-Grande-Valley/json/som/policies-local.json

/Institutions/University-of-Texas-Rio-Grande-Valley/json/som/policies.json

EAA061 Admissions Committee - Conflict of Interest Policy

Policy Number: EAA061
Policy Title: Admissions Committee - Conflict of Interest Policy

Preamble:

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine (UTRGV SOM) encourages faculty, staff and students to engage in appropriate professional, business or other interactions with public and private entities. However, such activities can create conflicts of interest, or the appearance of conflicts of interest, that have the potential to threaten the integrity of UTRGV SOM admissions processes and other areas such as research, scholarship, instruction, evaluation and administrative functions. To ensure that its reputation and admissions processes are not compromised by even an appearance of inattention to this matter, UTRGV SOM Admissions Committee (AC) adheres to the following policy that addresses the reporting and management of actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Definitions:

Conflict of Interest: A conflict of interest exists when an Admissions Committee member, screener, reviewer, interviewer, or other is in a situation where relationships with an applicant or applicant’s family competes with interests or loyalties of the AC member with the objective conduct of the admissions process. A conflict of interest may exist in such situations (but not limited to) as the following, in which the AC member, screener or other:

1. Is related to the applicant; or,
2. Is or has been in a significant teaching, clinical, or social relationship with the applicant or applicant’s family; or
3. Has a personal or financial interest in the applicant, their family, or the outcome of the selection process.

Policy:

It is the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine policy that Admissions Committee members, screeners, reviewers, interviewers, and all others involved in the admissions process report all real or perceived conflicts of interest immediately upon learning of the real/perceived conflict of interest.

Responsibility:

The Chair of the Admissions Committee, the Director of Admissions, members of the Admissions Committee, and others involved in the screening and interviewing of applicants are all responsible for maintaining the fairness and objectivity of the admissions process.

Members of the UTRGV SOM Admissions Committee must recuse themselves from screening, interviewing, voting, or making decisions regarding any student or applicant if they have a conflict of interest. The chair or designee of the Admissions Committee will require a member to recuse themselves if they are made aware of or perceive that a conflict of interest exists. In the event a committee member is not certain whether a conflict of interest exists, the Admissions Committee Chair or designee will serve as the final decision-maker to determine Appowhether there is a conflict of interest. As a general rule, this policy applies to all standing committees of the Admissions Committee, as well as to any subcommittees or task forces that have student-related responsibilities.

Procedures:

•An annual mandatory orientation prior to the start of the interview season for each new and returning Admissions Committee member is required.

•Members receive a comprehensive admissions committee handbook containing Admissions Committee and college-related documents and information regarding all other relevant policies and procedures.

•New and returning members may not participate in any admissions-related activities until orientation/training are successfully completed.

•Members sign and return a Conflict-of-Interest Form.

•All screening, interviewing and final review forms have a recusals radio button to report conflict of interest.  

•Admissions Committee members are encouraged to report any Conflict-of-Interest issues encountered during the admissions process to the Chair of Admissions.

•Records of recusals and identified failures to report are kept in the Office of Admissions, Student Affairs, along with Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Forms.

 

A member who fails to disclose a conflict of interest will be referred to the Dean or designee for review of membership status on the Admissions Committee.