In the appointment of its faculty and staff, the university seeks those persons most qualified to fulfill the institution’s vision, mission and strategic objectives.  An applicant’s qualifications and suitability prevail and shall be the deciding factor in the selection and appointment of successful candidates.  Accordingly, members of the same family may be selected for positions within the university when it has been determined that they are the most qualified candidates for the positions, subject to compliance with university guidelines, review of appointments and resolution of conflicts.*

 
Policy

 
The university permits the employment of relatives provided that no relative participates in making recommendations or decisions affecting the appointment, retention, tenure, work assignments, promotion, demotion, salary, or working conditions of the other.  Even when employees have no part in making recommendations or decisions affecting their relatives, employees, spouses, significant others and children working in the same department are strongly discouraged.  Written descriptions of how these relationships will not conflict or be perceived negatively by others must be provided by the supervisor/director to the appropriate Senior VP for review and approval

 
Definitions

 
Relatives include the employee's spouse or significant other, the spouse's parents, step-parents, children, siblings and their spouses, and the employee's parents, step-parents, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, first cousins, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, and their spouses. This nepotism policy also applies to include roommates and other persons with whom the employee may have economic and emotional ties.

 
Action

 
Employees must inform supervisors and both must inform Human Resources of potential or existing situations concerning employment of a family member.  As long as there are no problems or conflicts, existing situations may continue.

 
Policy Violations

 
Employees or supervisors who fail to report potential or existing situations concerning employment of a family member or supervisors who fail to prepare the appropriate supporting records or allow an inappropriate situation to continue will be subject to disciplinary action ranging from censure to termination of employment, depending upon the severity of the offense.

  

 
*Note:  With the exception of student workers in unrelated work areas, because of the nature and sensitivity of duties involved and potential conflicts of interest, the university will not employ relatives of employees in Human Resources, the University Police Department, Payroll or Accounts Payable.  Additionally, relatives of Vice Presidents and Associate Vice presidents may not be employed within the division in which that Vice President works or oversees.  Relatives of the President may not be employed within the university.