Travel Expenses
I have been asked to make a speech at a conference concerning a project that I have been working on in my department. The conference is in California and the organizer of the conference has offered to pay the cost of my airfare, hotel, meals and conference fees, and pay me a stipend of $500. Can I accept this?
Answer:
If you are actively participating in the conference (e.g., giving a speech, presenting a paper), and your participation serves UConn business, you may accept reimbursement for necessary expenses such as:
- Coach-class airfare
- Standard hotel lodging (for nights before, during, and after the event)
- Meals
- Conference fees
You may not personally accept an honorarium or stipend. Reimbursement of necessary expenses must be reported within 30 days to the Office of State Ethics by completing the required disclosure form:
Attending/Hosting Events
A vendor invited me to a customer appreciation event. Can I attend?
Answer:
Yes, as long as:
- A vendor representative is present at the event, and
- The total value of food and beverage you receive from that vendor remains under $50 per calendar year
May I personally spend $250 to pay for a holiday luncheon for my staff?
Answer
Yes, provided that the per-person cost does not exceed $99.99.
Outside Employment & Conflicts of Interest
Do I need to report a second job or consulting work I do outside of UConn?
Answer:
Faculty and members of AAUP must follow the University’s Faculty Consulting policy, which requires pre-approval for certain types of consulting activities.
Check out this interactive decision tree and https://consulting.uconn.edu/ for further guidance on your outside employment.
Use of University Resources
Can I use my UConn Teams account or work laptop for a side project or volunteer work?
Answer:
No. University resources - including equipment, software, email, and accounts - must only be used for official UConn business.
Violations of the State Code of Ethics
I believe that someone I work with is doing something that violates the State Code of Ethics. What should I do?
Answer:
Giving and Receiving Gifts
What is considered a “gift” under the State Code of Ethics?
Answer:
A “gift” is:
- Anything of value (e.g., money, tickets, meals, services).
- Personally received.
- Without equal or greater payment in return.
What is a “Major Life Event” under the Gift Rules?
Answer:
Recognized major life events include:
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Marriage
- Retirement from State service
- Funeral or death
- Religious adulthood ceremony (e.g., bar/bat mitzvah)
Our department wants to give our Department Head a gift. Is that allowed?
Answer:
Yes, as long as:
- The gift value does not exceed $100 (even if it’s a group gift)
- It is paid for with personal - not University - funds
My supervisor recently adopted a child. Can I give them a gift?
Answer:
Yes. Under the "major life event" exception, gifts up to $1,000 are permissible.
Who am I not permitted to accept a gift from as a UConn employee?
Answer:
You may not accept gifts from:
- Vendors/contractors doing or seeking business with UConn
- Registered lobbyists with the State of Connecticut
- Contractors pre-qualified by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS)
At a conference, can I accept a round of golf or show tickets from the sponsor?
Answer:
No. These are not considered “necessary expenses” and exceed the $10 token item rule.
I received a water bottle and pen at registration. Is that okay?
Answer:
Yes, if:
- The total value is under $10
- You have not received more than $50 in total from that vendor in a calendar year
A vendor sent a large fruit basket to our office. Can we accept it?
Answer:
Yes, as long as the value per person is under $10.
A vendor sent me an expensive tablet. What should I do?
Answer:
You must either:
- Return the gift
- Donate it to a charity (you cannot take a tax deduction)
- Transfer it to UConn as University property (for institutional use)
Gift Rules Summary Table
| Gift Type | Allowed? | Limit | Conditions |
| Vendor gift (token item) | Yes | <$10/item, <$50/year | Vendor rep must be present |
| Event meal from vendor | Yes | <$50/year total | Vendor rep must be present |
| Training on a product purchased by the University from the vendor | Yes | Training must be offered to all customers | |
| Gift for major life event | Yes | Up to $1,000 | E.g., wedding, adoption, funeral |
| Group gift to supervisor or subordinate | Yes | Max $100 (total) | Must use personal funds |
| Personal gift to supervisor or subordinate | Yes | Up to $100 per person | Must use personal funds |
| Gift from registered lobbyist | No | Not allowed | |
| Travel reimbursement from event/conference organizer | Yes | Necessary expenses only | Must report within 30 days to the Office of State Ethics, unless the reimbursement comes from the State of CT, another state government, or the federal government. |
| Personal honorarium for speaking | No | Not allowed | May be directed to a University account and used for future University business
Exceptions exist for faculty who are participating based on their expertise or prominence in their field (and not because of their UConn role) under the Faculty Consulting Policy |