On the other hand, because consulting arrangements and publication of books involve a faculty member's personal effort, contracts for publications and payment of related royalties, or limited consulting arrangements are not subject to sharing of income with the University, although they still must be reported. Whenever an outside commitment provides for intellectual or tangible property rights in the way of patent ownership or licensing to an organization other than the University. Whenever an agreement is being considered that restricts the faculty member's public reporting of the existence of the agreement or information developed by the faculty member under the agreement. Occasionally it may be difficult to distinguish between academic research goals and commercial research goals. In the case of a relationship with a commercial organization, the faculty member must ascertain whether there are requirements for confidentiality that might compromise his or her fundamental rights of academic freedom or those of other faculty members or of students or of the University.
Academic freedom means, in part, unhindered discussion and publication of results of research.
Whenever a faculty member's relationship to an outside party might appear to influence either the conduct of the University's business with the outside party or the conduct of research within the University. Consideration must be given to whether there is a perception of outside financial incentives being used to direct research activity away from avenues that might lead to more substantial scientific discoveries or to the accomplishment of academic goals. Consulting arrangements between faculty members and outside institutions are distinct from research projects. Research projects require a contract with the University. The Office of Research Administration must be made aware of compensation provided under a consulting agreement which will co-exist with a research grant or contract from the same industrial sponsor.