In this issue
ASaP
Auxiliary Services and Programs
Budget & Planning
Business Services
Card Services
PMO
Project Management Office
Also this month
Meet the business-savvy, fish-collecting art major, and Assistant Director of Parking Operations, Beth Tindel
Get to know KSU's own world-renowned Chef, Gary Coltek, Assistant Director, Culinary Services
Guest Columns
"Measures of Success"
by Dean Joseph D. Meeks, College of the Arts
"Why I am Against Any Bailouts" by Dr. Douglas Moodie, Professor, Coles College of Business
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Understanding Gratuities
by Donna Bertrand
What do employees of KSU need to know about gratuities? The acceptance of a benefit, reward, or consideration where the purpose of the gift is to influence an employee in the performance of his/her official function is a felony. A gift includes lodging, transportation, personal services, a gratuity, subscription, membership, trip, loan, extension of credit, forgiveness of debt, advance of deposit money, or anything of value.
The following are not considered gifts:
- Food or beverage consumed at an occasional meal or event, provided the value is reasonable under the circumstances but in no event exceeds $100 per person.
- Food, beverages, and registration at group events to which substantial number of employees of the University are invited.
- Food, beverage, or expenses afforded employees, relatives or others that are associated with normal and customary business or social functions or activities.
- Actual and reasonable expenses for food, beverages, travel, lodging and registration provided to permit participation in a meeting, demonstration, or training related to official or professional duties if participation has been approved in writing by the President of the University or his designee.
- Promotional items generally distributed to the general public.
- Textbooks, software, and instructional materials to be reviewed by teaching faculty.
- An award plaque, certificate, memento, or similar item given in recognition of the recipient’s civic, charitable, political, professional, private or public service or achievement.
- Legitimate salary, honoraria, benefits, fees, commissions, or expenses associated with the recipient’s non-public business, employment, trade or profession.
- Gifts from a person or entity who is neither a lobbyist nor a vendor.
- Consulting fees, honoraria, or financial benefits from sponsors or foundations, received in conformance with the University policies.
- Gifts to or from the University Foundations or other separately incorporated, charitable entities.
If you receive a gratuity and are not sure if it should be accepted, please contact procurement at procurem@kennesaw.edu and a procurement officer will assist you.
Appearance of Conflict of Interest
An employee shall make every reasonable effort to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. An appearance of conflict exists when a reasonable person will conclude from the circumstances that the employee’s ability to protect the public interest, or perform public duties, are compromised by personal interest. An appearance of conflict can exist even in the absence of a legal conflict of interest.
General
- Every employee shall make a due and diligent effort to determine whether he/she has a conflict of interest or appearance of conflict before taking any action.
- Every employee shall continually monitor, evaluate, and manage his/her personal financial and professional affairs to ensure the absence of conflict of interest and appearance of conflict.
- Apparent conflict of interest may exist if an employee of KSU contracts with a friend or family member or with a company in which the friend or family member has a significant interest.
Editor's Note: This article is a reprint of an article that appeared in the February 2007 edition of the Business Services Newsletter.
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