The University of Texas at Arlington

Section 5-2601 Service on Outside Boards

It is recognized that the President and other Executive Officers of The University of Texas at Arlington, as well as other employees, administrators, faculty and staff of the University may be asked to serve on the boards, councils of other governing or advisory bodies ("outside boards") of various business, civic, professional, social and religious organizations, both for profit and not-for-profit, and in compensated and non-compensated positions. Such service is generally deemed to be in the best interest of the University because it broadens the experience of the individuals involved and exposes the University to a larger audience of business, civic, professional, social and religious leaders.

Section 5-2602 Standards for Outside Board Service

The primary responsibility of Executive Officers, faculty and staff members of the University is the accomplishment of the duties and responsibilities of their respective positions. In evaluating whether to accept a position on an outside board, an individual should first assure that such a position would not create a conflict of interest and that fulfillment of the responsibilities of such a position would not impose an unreasonable time requirement.

Section 5-2603 Approval

1. Following the adoption of this policy, and prior to accepting any new position on an outside board, whether for profit or not-for-profit and whether compensated or non-compensated, the person wishing to accept such position shall first discuss the position with the approving authority to evaluate any potential conflict of interest prior to requesting approval.
   
   

   Person Seeking Approval	Approving Authority
   Presidents	Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
   Vice Presidents	President
   Deans	Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
   Faculty Members	Deans
   Staff Members	Appropriate Vice President



2. Offices of the State of Texas or the United States
   
   Before a non-elective state officer may hold another non-elective office under the State of Texas or the United States, such non-elective state officer must obtain a finding by the Board of Regents that such additional office is of benefit to the State of Texas or is required by state or federal law, and that there is no conflict with that non-elective state officer's original office. (reference Regents' Rules and Regulations, Rule 30103).
   
   
3. External Nonprofit Corporations and External Entities Benefiting the System and UT Components
   
   This policy is also subject to Regents' Rules and Regulations , Rule 60305 and Rule 60306 relating to service on the board of an external nonprofit corporation or an external entity that has as its primary objective the provision of funds or services for the furtherance of the purposes and duties of the University or the UT System.

Section 5-2604 Accounting for Outside Board Service

1. Uncompensated Board Service
   
   Recognizing the benefit to be derived by the University from outside board service, and after thorough consideration of the time commitment that might be involved, time spent on uncompensated service on non-religious boards, other than for reimbursement of usual and customary expenses, shall be deemed to be service to the University and need not require the use of a person's own time.



2. Compensated Board Service and Service to a Religious Organization
   
   Service on any outside board, whether for profit or not-for-profit, for which the President, an executive officer or faculty and staff member is compensated, and any service to a religious organization whether or not compensated, must be on such person's own time, and if such service occurs during normal office hours, then such person must use vacation time, compensatory time or other leave while providing such service. Any such service should be without cost to the University.

Section 5-2605 Reporting

1. A UT Arlington executive officer, faculty or staff member who serves on any outside board, shall file a report with the President within sixty (60) days of the adoption of this policy and thereafter annually in September of each year. Such report shall list each outside board on which any such person serves, and with respect to each such board, shall include the following information:
   
   
   1. The number of hours normally required by such service, either monthly, quarterly or annually;
   2. Whether such service is compensated or not compensated; and
   3. Whether such service is protected by one or more policies of directors and officers liability insurance, and whether any such insurance coverage provides for general indemnification or only costs of defense.
   
   
2. If, during any year, a person covered by this Section joins one or more additional outside boards, the report provided for herein shall be supplemented within thirty (30) days of joining such additional board or boards. In addition, such report shall include the time requirements associated with any teaching commitments of any non-faculty person filing the report.

Section 5-2606 Exceptions

1. Extension of Professional Position
   

   It is anticipated that Presidents, other executive officers, faculty and staff members of component institutions will be asked to serve on particular outside boards because of their University related areas of expertise or the offices or positions they hold. Such service is of particular value to the University, and is actively encouraged because of the recognition it provides to the University and the UT System, and the additional information, exposure, understanding and insight the individual will receive. Such service is deemed to be service to the University and need not require the use of a person's own time and it is excluded from all portions of this policy other than the conflict of interest provisions and reporting requirements.

2. Personal
   

   The provisions of this policy do not apply to service on the board of a municipality, local religious congregation; neighborhood association; local, private or parochial school; youth sports or recreation league; affinity group such as the local orchid society or model train collectors club; and other similar outside boards the service on which is primarily personal rather than professional in nature, and does not require the expenditure of time away from University responsibilities.

3. Family-Owned Businesses
   

   The provisions of this policy do not apply to service on the board of a family owned business in instances in which such service is incidental and does not require the expenditure of time away from University responsibilities.

Section 5-2607 Risks of Liability

Presidents, executive officers, faculty and staff members should be aware of the potential risk of liability associated with outside board service, whether on the boards of for profit or not-for-profit entities and whether or not compensated, and should evaluate those risks and the need for appropriate insurance and indemnification. Such persons should also be aware that statutory limitations on liability of state officials and employees may not apply and that indemnification by the University and insurance coverage provided by the University or the System may not apply or may be severely limited.