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Outside Consulting Activities

The Board of Regents has adopted the following statement of policy regarding outside activities.

Recognizing that teaching, research, and public service are the primary responsibilities of faculty members in the University System of Georgia, it shall be considered reasonable and desirable for faculty members to engage in consulting activities, which are defined for purposes of this policy as any additional activity beyond duties assigned by the institution, professional in nature and based in the appropriate discipline for which the individual receives additional compensation during the contract year.

Reasonable consulting and other remunerative activities related to one's profession support the University's mission of service to the region. When such activities occur during hours when the faculty or staff member has University responsibilities, prior written approval shall be obtained from the administrative supervisor. This written approval should be forwarded to the Office of the Academic Vice President for inclusion in the permanent file. When such arrangements occur at other times, a quarterly report is requested in the Professional Activity Report. Faculty are expected to guard against both conflicts of interest and detrimental effects upon their primary obligations to the University.

Faculty should be aware that special written approval is needed when consulting activities are compensated by another state agency whether or not the consulting activities occur during hours of University responsibility. Obtaining this approval is a three step process:

  1. The chief executive officer of the entity desiring to obtain services of a full-time State employee of a separate entity shall certify in writing the need for services and the ratio­nale for this means of service provi­sion to be in the best interests of the State as opposed to employment of individuals not presently employed by the State.
  2. The chief executive officer of the entity employing the individual whose services are being requested shall certify in writing that the person being requested to perform services may do so without any detrimental effect upon present duty assignments, and as deemed appro­priate comment upon the appropriateness of the arrangement relative to the best interest of the Senate or State.
  3. After having accomplished (1) and (2) above, the entities shall, by agreement, establish the procedures under which the employee shall perform the additional services. "The agree­ment shall specify the means of employment, either as a part-time employee or as a consul­tant, the compensation, and other pertinent details and conditions of the employment relationship. The agreement shall be termina­ble at any time by either of the departments, agencies, commissions, or authorities." (House Bill No. 1123) (Board of Regents' Policy Manual, Section 802.1602).