COI FAQs

Since January 2009, the VP&S COI Policy specifically addresses two critical areas particularly relevant to VP&S: clinical care and medical education, while reinforcing the general principles set forth in University policies. The policy is updated annually.

The policy is posted at the CUIMC COI Policy and Resources page.

No. This policy adds to the existing University COI policies set forth in the Faculty Handbook. These other University policies address issues including COI in research, self-dealing, and other areas.

This policy is overseen by the Vice Dean of Academic Affairs at VP&S, Dr. Anne Taylor. Additional oversight comes from the VP&S COI Committee on Education and Clinical Care. Oversight is coordinated with the existing process for oversight of research COI under the CU Executive VP for Research and the CUIMC COI Committee on Research (chaired by Dr. Henry Spotnitz). Close coordination exists amongst the administrative leadership.

No. Each CUIMC school has its own policy. Questions on the COI disclosure form are designed to be consistent with all of the CUIMC policies on COI in Education and Clinical Care. In contrast, the University policies on COI in research and other areas apply to all of CUIMC.

Disclosure is required for renewal of annual faculty appointment. Failure to comply with mandatory policies will prompt formal review by the CUIMC COI Review Committee on Education and Clinical Care, with recommendations to the Dean, and may lead to sanctions up to and including non-renewal of appointment.

The disclosure form is filed in RASCAL, under the module, "Conflict of Interest."

You must answer all of the primary questions (yes or no). Several of the questions have sub-parts; if you answer “No” to the primary question, no sub-part will arise. For each “yes” answer, you must answer each sub-part and provide additional information, as prompted on the form. Definitions of the terms used in the form are posted on the RASCAL COI module.

You need to answer “Yes” to all relevant questions within each section of the form. Even if you have already disclosed the information in the Research section, outside financial interests must again be disclosed in the C/E section.

No. Disclosure is required for all professional business activities, whether they occur on-campus or elsewhere.

No, you do not need to disclose salary or other payments received for clinical services on behalf of Columbia.

You will be asked if you are employed by another entity and to name it.

No. Most Faculty and Researchers from all of the four CUIMC schools (VP&S, Dental, Nursing, Public Health) will only need to submit one annual COI form for CU/CUIMC. For clinical Faculty, NY-P (or other hospitals) may also require filing a hospital-specific COI disclosure form. Individuals conducting human subjects research will continue to be required to file a protocol-specific disclosure in addition to the annual disclosure.

Information disclosed in connection with the VP&S Policy will be reviewed by the VP&S Office of Academic Affairs and by the CUIMC COI Review Committee on Education and Clinical Care for appropriate action. Correspondence and Committee decisions will be archived in RASCAL. Information pertaining to other conflict of interest policies will be handled in accordance with existing COI procedures.

The CUIMC Review Committee on COI in Education and Clinical Care reviews disclosed information and relevant correspondence. Faculty or Researcher responses to this Committee are deemed acceptable by fulfilling these criteria:

- Responses to questions posed by the Committee are clear, complete and timely;

- There is clear separation between the disclosed commercial interests and his/her professional duties in education and clinical care.

- Compliance with recommendations by the CUIMC COI Review Committee on Education and Clinical Care is demonstrated.

Starting in 2012, some information disclosed on the annual COI form regarding education and clinical care will be available on a publicly accessible CUIMC website. Faculty and Researchers will be able to preview the information and make corrections to their form prior to submission. This decision was based upon the fact that pharmaceutical and devices companies are making such information public, that legislation may, in the near future, require public disclosure of financial relationships and the increasing prevalence of this practice by peer institutions.

As of 2012, some disclosed information may be made publicly available through a publically accessible website. This decision was based upon the fact that pharmaceutical and devices companies are making such information public, that legislation may, in the near future, require public disclosure of financial relationships and the increasing prevalence of this practice by peer institutions.

Yes, that aspect of the policy has not changed. Commercial income from oneself or one’s spouse will be reviewed for possible conflict for that Faculty’ or Researcher’s educational and clinical duties. The exact amount of spousal commercial income over $50,000 annually does not need to be disclosed.

For RASCAL technical assistance, you can email rascal@columbia.edu or call the Rascal Helpline: 212-851-0213.
 If you have never logged into RASCAL, you may be presented with a Personal Information page to complete. Fill in the required fields (marked in red) and save.

Fees for medical-legal expert consultation must be disclosed.

• Equity holdings, stock and stock options, royalties or license fees must be disclosed– see definitions on the disclosure form.
• Directorship or executive positions in a Business must be disclosed.
• Mutual funds do not require disclosure or review if they are managed by a third party, if the Faculty or Researcher or members of his/her immediate family do not make investment decisions for the fund.
• Income from academic/governmental/non-profit service functions, such as serving in an advisory capacity and giving non-commercially supported presentations, does not need to be disclosed.
• Income from personal activities that are completely unrelated to a Faculty or Researcher’s professional activities or identity does not need to be disclosed.

Commercial support for travel expenses, if for legitimate professional activities, do not require disclosure. Commercial support of travel should be reasonable and of a modest standard (i.e., not lavish). Travel must be in accordance with Columbia’s Travel and Entertainment Policy.

Slides, materials or data should be independent of commercial influence, except where prescribed by law (e.g. FDA requirements for the presentation of materials or data relevant to approval of drugs and/or devices prepared by commercial entities). Presentations using commercial sources must indicate those slides, tables, data or other materials that are provided by commercial entities or their agents. 
Faculty and Researchers are expected to convey that their presentations reflect their own work and views, and do not represent views held by Columbia University or its affiliates. Use of the Columbia name, logo or images in presentations or associated materials is prohibited, except to identify Faculty and Researchers by their University title, and cannot be used for co-branding.

Participation in engagements where a Columbia University Faculty or Researchers gives a presentation that is designed and/or approved by a sponsoring commercial entity or its agent concerning the company’s products or services (formerly referred to as membership in a “Speakers’ Bureau”) is generally prohibited. 

Faculty and Researchers are prohibited from speaking for industry if the arrangement has one or more of the following characteristics:

• A commercial entity (or its agent) dictates or controls content, or has final approval of a presentation;
• Faculty and Researchers are expected to act as an agent or spokesperson for a commercial entity (or its agent) for the purpose of marketing;
• The sponsor (or its agent) creates the presentation and expects the use of their language for the presentation.

If you have any questions regarding filing or the CUIMC Conflict of Interest policy, please contact us at: ps-coi@cumc.columbia.edu.