Conflicts Policy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Do I have to fill out the annual survey? I am certain I have no conflicts.
XYES! Cornell University Policy requires that all employees, including faculty, must complete a survey annually.
- Do I have to indicate that I receive a salary/stipend from WCMC?
XNo! Financial arrangements outside of WCMC are what you must disclose.
- If my position at WCMC does not involve any research activity, must I still complete the annual survey?
XYes! The annual survey requirement applies to all persons who hold appointments at WCMC or are employees of WCMC. There are types of conflicts that do not involve research.
- I have no change in my external activities since I reported last year. Must I still complete this annual survey?
XYes! University Policy requires reporting every year. For the first round of electronic reporting, you will have to complete the annual survey and enter each entity with which you have an external financial relationship. In subsequent years, your survey will retain every entry previously disclosed. Entities cannot be deleted but they can be marked "active" or "inactive" depending upon the current status.
- Will I receive a response from the Conflicts Management Program (CMP) regarding my disclosure?
XIf you have disclosed a possible conflict of interest or commitment and a determination is made that further information is required or that there are special procedures you must follow in view of the possible conflict, you will receive a letter from the CMO. If you fully complete the annual survey and indicate no possible conflicts, you will receive email notification that you are complaint for this reporting period and no further action is required.
- What should I do if I do not understand how to fill out the annual survey to communicate my specific situation?
XIf your situation is such that completing the annual survey is difficult or does not provide a clear and accurate picture of your situation, you should feel free to forward a written description. There is no limitation on length. The annual survey is provided to facilitate the process of reporting and evaluating the reports. Do not allow adherence to the annual survey to cause you to provide an incomplete or misleading disclosure. If you have any questions, you may always contact the Conflicts Management Program by telephone at (646) 962-8199, by interoffice mail at Box 6, or by email.
- What happens if I disclose a potential conflict of interest or commitment?
XThat depends on the specific details of the disclosed potential conflict. The procedures for handling disclosures as well as Weill Cornell Medical College's Conflict Policy are provided in the booklet, available on this website.
- When the annual survey asks about the financial interests of my family, what is meant?
XThe term "family" is meant to include spouse (affectional partner and/or significant other), siblings, parents, children, and any other blood relative if the latter resides in the same household. In some circumstances, you may feel that it is appropriate for you to include other persons as "family". Feel free to do so and forward an explanation (see Q6) as you feel appropriate for the situation.
- Is it necessary for me to disclose all of my external financial activities, even those unrelated to my work for the WCMC?
XThe policy requires disclosure of all activities/relationships, which could be or give the appearance of a conflict of interest or commitment. Investments in mutual funds or similar situations in which you do not have control over the specific investments generally need not be reported. If a problem should arise in the future, your having reported the activity/relationship offers some protection to you and to the institution in terms of how people may interpret the problem. A failure to report an activity/relationship may be interpreted as a desire to hide the activity because you feel there is something undesirable about it. No one is criticized for "over-reporting."
The most recent Conflicts Policy Booklet can be found here.