Giving and Receipt of Gifts and Benefits Policy
Responsible officer: Vice-Chancellor
Designated officer: Director, Financial Services
Council approval: C04/18, 13 April 2004
Last amended:
Related documentation:
- Code of Conduct
- Financial Management Practice Manual
- University of the Sunshine Coast Foundation Constitution
- The AVCC Code of Practice for Australian University Philanthropy
Overview
The University's Code of Conduct provides guidance for officers and employees of the University in the conduct of their duties. The Code has, as its basis, five fundamental ethical principles:
- Respect for the law and system of University governance
- Respect for persons
- Integrity
- Diligence, and
- Economy and efficiency.
To assist officers and employees to ensure that their duties are carried out impartially and with integrity, this policy has been developed to provide guidance in instances where gifts or benefits are to be given or received.
Application
This policy applies to the giving and receipt of gifts and benefits by all officers and employees of the University.
The University of the Sunshine Coast Foundation (the Foundation) has been established by the University as its fund raising and alumni relations arm. The Foundation is governed by a Constitution and operates within the parameters established under the AVCC Code of Practice for Australian University Philanthropy.
Gifts given and received by the University rather than an individual officer or employee are managed by the Foundation and are excluded from the operation of this policy although the principles of impartiality and integrity apply.
Policy
If there is no benefit to the University from giving or accepting a gift or benefit, it should not be given or accepted.
Giving and receipt of gifts or benefits must be in accordance with the principles for acceptance or non acceptance of gifts or benefits contained in this policy and associated procedures.
The procedures for the giving and receipt of gifts and benefits distinguish between nominal and reportable gifts and benefits.
A nominal gift or benefit is one with a fair value of less than A$250.
A reportable gift or benefit is one with a fair value of A$250 or more for each significant gift given to or received from the same donor in the course of a financial year where the aggregate value of those gifts is A$250 or more.
Any gift accepted by an officer or employee would normally remain the property of the University, however, the University may allow the officer or employee to retain the gift in accordance with this policy and associated procedures.
All gifts of cultural or historical value would normally remain the property of the University.
The University will make available the principles outlined in this policy and associated procedures to all suppliers and potential suppliers of goods and services.
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