Human Resources

60.06         Acceptance of Personal Gifts by Employee                                Issued: May 15, 1998

1.     Background

        It is the practice of some vendors (current or prospective) to offer personal gifts to
        University employees. While such a gift may be totally innocent, it can give the appearance
        that it is not.  To the extent possible, employees of the University must be innocent in both
        fact and appearance. Thus, in the best interest of the University, employees should not
        accept gifts from vendors.

2.     Procedures

        2.1   Whenever a vendor offers to give an employee a personal gift of any kind, the
                 individual should politely decline the offer. Depending upon the item in question, it
                 might be appropriate to suggest they make their donation to the University.

        2.2   If an item is received through the mail, it is not necessary that the University go through
                the added expense of paying to mail the item back. Instead, alternative actions should
                be taken. If the item is money, it should be forwarded to the Development Office for
                depositing as an unrestricted gift to the University. If it is non-cash, the item may be
                given to someone who has no contact with the vendor or it may be discarded.  

Contact:     Director of Human Resources