Consulting Work

Consulting Work - the Consulting Days Policy

The School of Information recognizes that consulting work can greatly enhance a faculty member’s productivity as a teacher and scholar.  

Accordingly, each instructional faculty member is permitted to consult up to an average of four days per month while he or she maintains a 100% University appointment, regardless of the source of funds for the appointment.*  Per the LEO contract lecturer's are not prohibited from consulting (see page 135 in LEO contract). 

This pertains to the academic year (September through May), and is extended to the summer months if faculty have summer appointments, whether for research, teaching, or administration. As a result of stricter standards on accountability to both the Federal and State governments, the School requires annual certification from faculty regarding their consulting activities. 

All full-time faculty members must obtain approval from the appropriate University authority when contemplating outside employment during the academic year. At UMSI, the first step should be to contact the Associate Dean of Faculty.  Please also see the Provost Office Faculty Resource page and click on the link titled "Faculty Handbook" and navigate to section 7.C.3 "Consulting/Work Outside the University" (or click here to go directly). 

*Please note that due to federal regulations, consulting days may not be available for certain visa statuses. Please consult with your unit administrator or the Associate Dean for Faculty prior to making consulting arrangements.

UMSI Consulting Policy

Faculty are allowed to consult 36 days maximum during the academic year (September through May). It does not matter when you choose to take these 36 days, whether on weekends or holidays; if you are paid to consult, it counts. If you have an appointment during the summer, you will need to adhere to the 4 days per month during the time of the summer appointment. Thus, faculty need to pay attention to two separate limits on consulting: 36 days from September 1 to May 31, and an additional limit of 4 days a month during the summer term, if on a University appointment during those months. 

Example calculation. If you are on a normal 100% appointment during the academic year and the months of June and July, and no appointment in August, you are allowed to consult 36 days during the period September 1 to May 31 and an additional 8 days during the period June 1 to July 31. These days can be any days or combinations of days during these periods. Since you are not on a University appointment in August, there are no limits except your own time and capacity. 

If you are consulting more than the permitted amounts, you will need to discuss with the Associate Dean for Faculty, and you may need to reduce your appointment accordingly. In all cases, it is understood that consulting activities are a privilege, not a right, and must not interfere with the fulfillment of the faculty member’s duties to the University.