Conflict of Interest Knowledge Center
Clemson University faculty and staff are expected to avoid conflits of interest and conflicts of commitment that have the potential to directly and significantly affect the University's interest.
All faculty and staff are required to complete conflict of interest training annually, which includes an annual disclosure of any conflicts of interest or commitment. Disclosures are completed in InfoEd.
Conflict of interest training, which should take about 15 minutes to complete, is designed to help you identify, avoid and, if necessary, disclose conflicts of interest. Faculty and staff are encouraged to engage in appropriate outside relationships, participate in sponsored research and consult widely. These activities benefit not only the participants but also the University itself and the larger public. Because some relationships and activities might carry potential conflicts of interest for Clemson faculty and staff, conflict of interest training helps you to determine what must be disclosed, reviewed and managed in order to avoid risk for you and the University.
New in 2026: Additional Disclosure Required
South Carolina Law (Section 59-101-700) now requires employees of South Carolina public institutions of higher education to disclose any business with which they are associated outside of their university employment. Employees are required to disclose these outside business activities, regardless of if they believe it creates a conflict of interest.
What are outside business activities?
The law defines “businesses with which [the employee] is associated” as a business, trade, profession, membership, appointment, elected position, or other commercial activity conducted for compensation outside of an employee’s official institutional duties.
Examples include:
- Another job outside of your position at Clemson
- Ownership of a business
- Paid participation in a board
Completing this disclosure
Faculty and staff should disclose any outside business activities in the same manner they disclose conflicts of interest through InfoEd.
You will be asked to provide the business’s name and a general description of the work or services you perform.
Review the frequently asked questions below for additional information.
3 Easy Steps
Step 2
Complete Conflict of Interest training. If appropriate, disclose any conflicts of interest or outside business activities.
Step 3
Access InfoEd to complete your disclosure (if you have a potential conflict of interest or an outside business activity).
Questions about Training
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I am out on approved extended leave. Must I take the conflict of interest training?
No, you are not required to take this training during your approved extended leave. Upon your return to Clemson, you will receive alerts of training and a due date for any required training. These alerts are provided through the University’s training management system, Workday Learning.
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I did not complete my required training by the deadline and now I cannot log in. What do I do?
Call the CCIT Service Center at 864-656-3494 for assistance. You will be given a 3-day grace period to complete your required training.
There can be a delay in synchronizing access to all University applications (e.g., Office 365 Email) after an account has been locked. If, after 10 to 15 minutes, you cannot connect to the University network and applications, please call the CCIT Service Center at 864-656-3494 for further assistance.
Should you still have incomplete training after the three-day grace period, you will not be able to log in.
Questions about Outside Business Activities
Faculty, staff, and student employees must submit an annual response about business activities outside their Clemson University positions. This disclosure is required by South Carolina law. Reporting an activity does not, by itself, mean that it creates a conflict of interest.
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Who must submit a response?
All Clemson faculty, staff, and student employees must submit a response, even if they have no outside business activities to disclose.
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What activities should I disclose?
Disclose any business with which you are associated, including compensated business activities outside your university position. You must respond whether or not you believe an activity creates a conflict of interest.
For examples of outside business activities, visit the Clemson Conflict of Interest Knowledge Center.
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Do compensated ownership or board roles count?
Yes. Disclose ownership of a business or service on a board when you are compensated for that role.
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What information will I be asked to provide?
You’ll be asked for the business’s name and a general description of the work or services you perform.
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Does disclosing an activity mean I have a conflict of interest?
No. The disclosure is required whether or not you believe an activity creates a conflict. Reporting an activity is not, by itself, a finding that you have a conflict of interest.
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Does the disclosure prohibit me from doing outside work?
No. This disclosure requirement does not prohibit outside business activities. Other state laws and university policies may still apply.
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When do I need to submit my response?
Submit it by November 10, 2026, the deadline for this year’s required annual training.
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How do faculty and staff submit their response?
Faculty and staff will submit the disclosure as part of the annual Conflict of Interest Training course in Workday Learning.
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What if I already completed the training but missed the disclosure?
If you completed the training but did not complete the disclosure, or submitted it without listing your outside business activities, you may complete the disclosure through InfoEd.
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Should I update my disclosure during the year?
Yes. Update your disclosure during the year if your circumstances change.
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How will student employees submit their response?
Student employees will receive direct instructions about how to complete the disclosure. Their supervisors will also be informed of the requirement.
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How will my information be handled?
Disclosure information will be stored securely and treated confidentially.
