R122-2. References

2.1. Utah Code §63G-6a-2304 (General Government, Utah Procurement Code: Gratuities – Kickbacks – Unlawful use of position or influence)

2.2. Utah Code §67-16-1(State Officers and Employees)

2.2. Utah Code §76-8-105 (Receiving or Soliciting a Bribe by a Public Servant)

R122-3. Definitions

3.1. Board member:  “Board member” means an individual member of the Board of Higher Education.

3.2. Substantial interest:  “Substantial interest” means the ownership, either legally or equitably, by a Board member, the Board member’s spouse, or the Board member’s minor children, of at least 5% of the outstanding capital stock of a corporation or a 5% interest in any other business entity.  

R122-4. Duties and Responsibilities

4.1. Compliance with Utah Statutes:  Board members must comply with all state laws, with particular attention to those that govern conflicts of interest and their service as public officials as noted in the references of this policy.

4.2. Duty to Submit Disclosure Statement 

4.2.1. Board members who are officers, directors, or employees or who are owners of a substantial interest in any business entity that is or may be involved in any transaction with the Board of Higher Education (including UHEAA and UESP) or any other Utah institution of higher education (as defined in Utah Code Ann. §53B-2-101) shall disclose such facts in a sworn disclosure statement as set forth in Section 5 of this policy before participating in their official capacities with respect to any such transactions and annually thereafter.

4.2.2. Board member shall not receive or agree to receive compensation for assisting any person or business entity in any transaction involving a Utah state agency, including the Board of Higher Education (including UHEAA and UESP) or any other Utah institution of higher education (as defined in Utah Code Ann. §53B-2-101), without first disclosing such facts in a sworn, written disclosure statement as set forth in Section 5 of this policy.

4.3. Duty to Not Use Official Position for Personal Economic Gain: Board member shall not use or attempt to use their official positions to further substantially their personal economic interest or to secure special privileges or exemptions for themselves or others.

4.4. Duty to Recuse Oneself on a Matter Involving a Substantial Interest: Board member shall recuse themselves from the discussion and vote on a matter that involves any business entity as to which they are officers, directors, or employees or in which they own a substantial interest.

R122-5. Procedures for Submitting Disclosure Statement 

5.1.What to Submit: The disclosure statement must be made in writing and under oath. The disclosure statement shall be in the form attached.

5.2. When to Submit: 

5.2.1. For disclosure statements required by Section 4.2.1., the disclosure statement as provided by the Commissioner’s office must be submitted before the Board member participates in his or her official capacity with respect to such transactions or within thirty (30) days of the adoption of this policy and annually thereafter.   The Board member shall submit another disclosure statement whenever his or her position or ownership interest in the business entity changes significantly.

5.2.2. For disclosure statements required by Section 4.2.2., the disclosure statement must be submitted within ten (10) days after the date of any agreement between the Board member and the person or business entity being assisted or within ten (10) days of the receipt of compensation, whichever is earlier.

5.3. Where to Submit:  The disclosure statement must be completed and submitted to the Board Secretary.  The Board Secretary shall then file the disclosure statement with the following offices as appropriate:

5.3.1. the Commissioner’s Office;

5.3.2. the state Attorney General’s Office; and

5.3.3. the agency head of the agency with which the transaction is being conducted if the disclosure is required by Section 4.2.2.

5.4. Review of Statements:  The submitted disclosure statements will be reviewed by the Conflict of Interest Committee, which includes the Board Chair, Vice Chair, and two other Board members as selected by the Chair and Vice Chair as part of the determination of Board member Committee assignments. The disclosure statements of the Board Chair and Vice Chair will be reviewed by the other Board members on the Conflict of Interest Committee.

5.5. Public Document:  The disclosure statement is public information and shall be available for examination by the public.

R122-6. Records of Proceedings

6.1. Minutes: The minutes of the Board of Higher Education and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain the names of those Board members who abstain from participation in their official capacities in transactions involving business entities where they have a position or own a substantial interest and have not filed a disclosure statement as required by this Conflict of Interest Policy.  The minutes, however, are not required to record the names of those Board members who have filed disclosure statements or any information contained in those disclosure statements.

R122-7. Boards of Trustees 

7.1.  Disclosure Statements: Institutional boards of trustees shall adopt similar standards of conduct for their respective Board members including conflict of interest policies within 120 days of enactment of this policy.

Approved 03/28/2014