Conflict of Interest Prevention

A conflict of interest (COI) occurs when an employee’s personal interests could interfere with their professional responsibilities. At California State University (CSU), all employees are required to follow the Political Reform Act of 1974 and CSU Conflict of Interest Code designed to prevent such conflicts.

The Political Reform Act of 1974 prohibits public employees—including all CSU staff and faculty—from making or trying to influence decisions if they know they could benefit financially. The law applies to all CSU employees, whether or not they are required to file an annual statement of economic interest (Form 700).

The CSU Conflict of Interest Code identifies:

  • Which positions must disclose personal financial information
  • The disclosure categories assigned to each position
  • The types of economic interests that must be reported (such as investments, real estate, income sources, or gifts)
  • Employees in positions designated by the code are required to participate in avoiding conflict of interest training upon assuming office and every two years thereafter.

Employee Responsibilities

Every CSU employee is responsible for:

  • Understanding and complying with the Political Reform Act and the CSU Conflict of Interest Code.

    The conflict-of-interest code lists the position titles of those employees or officials (and their designated position) in the organization who are required to provide personal financial information, assigns disclosure categories to these positions, and indicates the types of economic interest which must be reported (i.e., investments, interests in real estate, or sources of income or gifts).

  • Filing an annual disclosure form (Statement of Economic Interests – Form 700) if in a position designated by the code. The purpose of this form is to alert employees to their personal interests that might be affected while they are performing their official duties. Disclosure also helps inform the public about potential conflicts of interest.
     
  • Recusing themselves from participating in decisions in which they have a personal financial interest.

Even in cases where no actual conflict exists, employees should avoid situations that could appear to be a conflict of interest. Maintaining transparency and integrity is essential to upholding public trust in the CSU system.

Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700)

The Political Reform Act requires certain state employees and officials who serve in positions designated in an agency’s conflict-of-interest code to file a statement of economic interests (Form 700). Most "designated positions" at Cal State LA involve some level of fiscal responsibility—for example, the authority to purchase items using state funds.

If you have been notified that you are in a designated position (e.g., procurement card holder, department chair, program manager, etc.) and/or are required to complete a Form 700, your statement is due:

  1. Within 30 days of assuming office,
  2. By April 1 of each year, and
  3. Upon leaving the designated position.

Form 700 is accepted only through the CSU’s eDisclosure system; paper forms are no longer accepted. The system will notify you when your form is due.

What is the purpose of Form 700?

  • The Form 700 process helps identify and prevent potential COI by making employees aware of situations that may impact their decision-making.
  • It guides employees in determining whether they have a reportable financial interest using the CSU Disclosure Categories for their specific Designated Position.
  • And most importantly—it’s required by state law and enforced by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

What must be disclosed on Form 700?

In general, on Form 700, a designated employee or consultant must disclose the following financial interests that they hold in a reportable source or that they received from a reportable source:

  • Business position (e.g., director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or management), whether paid or not
  • Income of $500 or more
  • Gifts totaling $50 or more
  • Investments valued at $2000 or more
  • Real property interests (required only for individuals assigned to Disclosure Categories 1 or 3)

A reportable source refers to any entity that, within the past two calendar years, has done business with the University in the area(s) where the designated employee or consultant has decision-making authority or influence.

For a more detailed explanation, please review the Form 700 Filing Instructions, which outline common financial interests that must be reported and those that do not need to be disclosed.

  1. Watch: Form 700 – Figuring Out What to Report (Log-In Required)
    A 10-minute video from the CSU Chancellor’s Office that explains what information needs to be disclosed.
  2. Watch: Form 700 Overview for Filers
    A 5-minute video by SouthTech that provides an overview of how to use the CSU’s eDisclosure system to complete and submit Form 700 electronically.
  3. Check Your Email: You will receive an email from SouthTech Hosting with details about your filing requirements and a secure link to file your Form 700 through the CSU eDisclosure system.

In compliance with state law and the CSU Conflict of Interest policy, each CSU campus identifies positions that are most likely to be involved in university decision-making. These are known as designated positions.

Together, the lists of designated positions from all CSU campuses make up the CSU Conflict of Interest Code, which is published and maintained by the CSU Chancellor’s Office. This code is reviewed and amended as needed. The most recent amendment became effective on January 7, 2024.

In compliance with state law and CSU policy, employees and consultants in designated positions must complete ethics training:

  • Within six (6) months of entering their designated position
  • Every two years thereafter

This required training is offered online through CSU Learn. (Log-In Required)

How to Take the Online Training: You will receive an email notification from CSU Learn with a direct link to access the training. Alternatively, follow the steps below:  

  1. Log in to the MyCalStateLA Portal using your campus credentials
  2. Under the Quick Launch menu, click CSU Learn
  3. On the dashboard, go to the Assigned Learning section (bottom left)
  4. Select the 'Avoiding Conflicts of Interest' course
  5. Click 'Register/Register Again'
  6. Click 'Start' to launch the course

Gifts to Agency

An agency accepting a payment pursuant to FPPC Regulation 18944 and 18950.1 must complete Form 801 for each payment received regardless of the amount.

Includes

  • A payment for an official’s travel expenses for the purpose of
    facilitating the public’s business in lieu of a payment using agency
    funds; and
  • a payment that would otherwise be considered a gift or income
    to the benefiting official, but is instead accepted on behalf of the
    agency.

An employee accepting admission tickets and passes as pursuant to FPPC Regulation 18944.1 must complete Form 802. The form identifies persons that receive admission tickets and passes and describes the public purpose for the distribution.

Exception

The Form 802 is not required for admission provided to a school or university district official, coach, athletic director, or employee to attend an amateur event performed by students of that school or university.

RESOURCES

This webpage and the resources below are intended to help designated employees and consultants understand the general reporting requirements for Form 700. However, it is the responsibility of each individual to ensure they fully understand what is required in their specific situation, as they must certify the accuracy of their Form 700 under penalty of perjury.

For specific guidance, designated employees and consultants should contact the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)—the state agency responsible for enforcing the Political Reform Act of 1974.

Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)

California State University (CSU)

California State University, Los Angeles