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An Educational
Computer Based Training Program
Political Activities & Contributions
Gifts & Gratuities
The University of Texas at Tyler
General Compliance Training
U.T. Tyler Compliance Program
The U.T. Tyler Compliance Program is
intended to demonstrate the absolute
commitment of the University to the highest
standards of ethics and compliance with all
applicable laws, policies, rules, and
regulations. Ethical conduct and compliance
are personal responsibilities, and each
employee will be held accountable for his or
her conduct.
Political Activities
 What are they?
 Can I?
 Can’t I?
 How do I find out more?
Political Activities
What are they?
 Supporting or opposing
legislation (orally or in
writing),
 Lobbying,
 Participating in a political
campaign as a candidate or
directing a candidate’s
campaign, or
 Contributing to a political
campaign or candidate.
Political Activities
Can I?
Yes! You can:
 Participate in political activities on your own time.
 Contribute to political candidates/campaigns with
your personal money.
 Coordinate with U.T. Tyler’s V.P. of Student
Affairs and External Relations when providing
information to elected officials.
 Ask your supervisor if you are unsure
about any specific issue.
Political Activities
Can’t I?
No, as a U.T. employee you should not:
 Participate in political activities on work time or to
the extent that the participation interferes with your
duties and responsibilities as a state employee.
 Use equipment, supplies or services of U.T. Tyler
for political activities.
 Use U.T. Tyler funds to make contributions to a
candidate or campaign.
Political Activities
How do I find out more?
 Regent’s Rules and Regulations
http://www.utsystem.edu/bor/rules/30000Series/30103.p
df
 U.T. Tyler’s policies regarding political
activities.
 Ask your supervisor or your institution’s
designated compliance director. U. T.
Tyler’s Compliance Director is Mary Barr
at ext. 7151.
Gifts and Gratuities
 What’s OK?
 Frequently Asked Questions
 What’s not OK?
 How Do I Find Out More?
Gifts and Gratuities
What’s OK?
You may accept a gift that is not in consideration of
any official action, unsolicited, and is:
Valued less than $50 or less than $20 if from a
lender (cash not acceptable),
Made outside of U.T. official business, or
A governmental item (issued by a governmental
entity that allows the use of property or facilities,
e.g. U.T. parking passes or tickets to athletic events
on U.T. property.)
Gifts and Gratuities
What’s OK? *
Examples:
 Caps
 Beverages
 T-Shirt
 Pen
 Souvenirs
 Plaques
* Unless solicited or given in consideration of an official action!!!
Gifts and Gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if someone I deal with in an official
capacity (not a U.T. employee) offers to buy
my lunch?
A: It’s okay as long as it’s not solicited or in
consideration of any official action. U.T.’s
‘rule of thumb’ is a limit of no more than $50
value per person per day – or no more than
$20 if from a lender.
Gifts and Gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if someone offers me tickets to a game or
a show? Can I accept the tickets?
A: It’s okay as long as it’s not solicited or in
consideration of any official action. If the value
of the tickets is greater than $50, a
representative of the entity/organization paying
for the tickets must be present at the event (you
must be their guest).
Gifts and Gratuities
What’s not OK?
 Cash or other negotiable
instruments (in any
amount),
 Any gift (even of minimal
value) given in “thanks
and appreciation” or in
consideration of official
action, or
 Gifts valued at more than
$50 or $20 if from a
lender.
Gifts and Gratuities
How Do I Find Out More?
 Regents’ Rules and Regulations Series 30104
http://www.utsystem.edu/bor/rules/30000Series/30104.p
df
 U.T. Tyler’s policies regarding gifts and gratuities.
 Ask your supervisor or your institution’s
designated compliance director. U.T. Tyler’s
Compliance Director is Mary Barr at ext. 7151.
UT Tyler Disciplinary Procedures
 Failure to follow compliance guidelines
may result in disciplinary action including:
departmental counseling, formal
disciplinary action, suspension or
termination.
Test Your Knowledge
Following are several
questions to test your
knowledge of the
information presented.
Answer all questions
correctly to receive credit
for the training.
Question #1
The term “political activities” includes supporting
or opposing legislation in writing only, not orally.
TRUE
FALSE
REVIEW
Question #2
You should coordinate with U. T. Tyler’s V.P.
for Student Affairs and External Relations when
providing information to elected officials.
TRUE
FALSE
REVIEW
Question #3
It is only OK to use U.T. Tyler equipment,
supplies, and services for political activities...
ON PERSONAL TIME
IT’S NEVER OK
REVIEW
Question #4
Is it OK to accept unsolicited gifts valued
under $50, or under $20 if from a lender, that
are NOT given in consideration for any official
action?
YES
NO
REVIEW
Question #5
Which of the following gifts can be accepted?
CASH GREATER THAN $50
CASH LESS THAN $50
A SMALL ITEM IN “THANKS AND
APPRECIATION” OF AN OFFICIAL ACTION
NONE OF THE ABOVE
REVIEW
Question #6
During the training, references were provided on where
to find and who to contact for more information on:
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
AND CONTRIBUTIONS
ONLY
GIFTS AND GRATUITIES
ONLY
BOTH OF THE ABOVE
REVIEW
Congratulations… you have
completed your training over
Political Activities & Contributions,
Gifts & Gratuities
The University of Texas at Tyler
General Compliance Training
Political Activities and Contributions,
Gifts and Gratuities
Hyperlinks...
 Regent’s Rules and Regulations Ethics Policy, &
Political Activities
http://www.utsystem.edu/bor/rules/30000Series/30103
%202004%2012%2010%2001.pdf
C
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The Training Post
An Educational Computer Based Training Program