Case Study: Professor Busy Takes a New Turn

Professor Busy is an associate professor who manages several research activities with external funding from Federal and other governmental agencies. She serves as an advisor to several graduate students and has no trouble attracting talented students because of her cutting-edge research and contacts with industry. Professor Busy often serves as an expert for the Federal government in the area of water quality. She also works as a consultant for a private firm, NewTurns, that manufactures water filtration systems. The relationship with NewTurns has existed over several years, and Professor Busy recently accepted a position on the Board of Directors with the company. On her previous year's REPA, Professor Busy disclosed her Board membership and several consulting agreements. Her consulting agreement with NewTurns resulted in additional income of $12,000 last year.

NewTurns would like Professor Busy to become involved in the development of a prototype for a new product because it is an extension of some of Professor Busy’s basic research. As you understand the contract, it would be executed by the University with Professor Busy as the principal investigator. The contract would extend over two years, and would provide opportunities for several graduate students.

This situation has come to your attention when Professor Busy routed the Proposal Routing Form (PRF) to you for approval of a possible research contract with NewTurns.

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