The members of the Oregon State University Board of Trustees are public officials of the State of Oregon. Under Oregon law, service as a University trustee is a public trust. As one safeguard of that trust, public officials are required to comply with the ethical standards set forth in the Oregon Government Ethics Law, ORS Chapter 244.
All trustees, upon confirmation of appointment, and periodically thereafter, are to be made aware of the requirements of the Oregon Government Ethics Law or subsequent versions thereof. It is the Board’s intent that this policy, or others adopted in furtherance of its purposes, be viewed and utilized as elaboration and guidance and that the statutory requirements set forth in Oregon law are the ultimate binding authority to which trustees must adhere.
As provided in the Oregon Government Ethics Law:
- Trustees may not use or attempt to use their position as trustees to obtain a financial benefit, if the opportunity for the financial benefit would not otherwise be available but for the trustee’s position as a trustee. The financial benefit prohibited can be either an opportunity for gain or to avoid an expense. Not only are trustees prohibited from using their position as trustees to receive certain financial benefits, but trustees are also prohibited from using or attempting to use their position as trustees to obtain financial benefits for a relative or a member of the trustee’s household. Also prohibited is the use or attempted use of the trustee’s position to obtain financial benefits for a business with which the trustee, a relative, or a member of the trustee’s household is associated.
- Trustees may not use or attempt to use confidential information gained in the course of or by reason of their position as a trustee for personal gain. This prohibition applies both during and after a trustee’s term of office.
- Trustees may not accept gifts from any source with an economic interest, distinct from that of the general public, in any matter subject to a decision or vote by the Board, except for gifts with an aggregate value of less than $50 per year. A gift is anything of economic value provided without consideration of equal value, including the full or partial forgiveness of debt, which is not provided to others who are not trustees on the same terms. This prohibition applies to trustees, as well as to their relatives and members of their households.
- Trustees must disclose actual and potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from the matter at issue, as more fully discussed in the Board’s Policy on Trustee Conflicts of Interest and Recusal.
- Beginning in 2015, trustees are required to file an Annual Verified Statement of Economic Interest with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission by April 15 of each year.
Trustees are to consult with the Chair of the Board and/or counsel to the Board for guidance where appropriate. Any formal opinion should be requested from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
Document History:
- Adopted by the Board of Trustees March 13, 2014