Designated Officials
Page at a Glance:
How do Designated Officials disclose financial interests and assets?
What happens if I am required to submit Form 700 and do not?
What is the UC Designated Officials Conflict of Interest course?
Who are Designated Officials?
The Political Reform Act requires certain government employees to disclose their personal assets and economic interests. The Conflict of Interest Code lists the job titles of those employees holding positions at the University requiring disclosure of personal financial information. These employees are known as Designated Officials. The University assigns disclosure categories to these positions, and indicates the types of economic interests, which must be reported, such as investments, interests in real estate, and sources of income or gifts.
Designated Officials are individuals who are in positions, which make decisions or participate in the making of decisions, which may foreseeably have a material effect on their personal financial interests. Designated Officials are prohibited from participating in University decisions when personal financial interests may be affected by those decisions. Designated Officials must disqualify themselves from participating in a University decision when a financial conflict of interest is present.
How do Designated Officials disclose financial interests and assets?
If you are a Designated Official, you must disclose your financial interests and assets on Form 700. Disclosure statements are required on an annual basis and when an individual assumes or leaves a position categorized as a Designated Official.
The University of California Conflict of Interest Coordinator located in the Office of the General Counsel sends the annual Form 700 to all Designated Officials. The UCSD Conflict of Interest Coordinator mails Form 700 directly to all UCSD employees who assume or leave a position categorized as a Designated Official. The University of California Conflict of Interest Coordinator is the University official responsible for receiving statements and placing them on file as public records.
The University of California provides detailed filing instructions for Form 700. Designated Officials should review these instructions prior to filing their disclosure statements.
The UCSD Conflict of Interest Coordinator is available to assist Designated Officials with the filing requirements and with completing the Form 700.
When must Designated Officials submit Form 700?
Designated Officials are required to file as follows:
Assuming Office Statements:
All UCSD employees assuming designated positions must file statements of financial interest within 30 days after assuming the designated positions, or if subject to Regental confirmation, 30 days after being nominated or appointed.
Assuming Office Statements must disclose any reportable investments, interests in real property and business positions held on the date of assuming office or, if subject to Regental confirmation or appointment, on the date of nomination, and income received during the 12 months prior to the date of assuming office or the date of being appointed or nominated, respectively.
Annual Statements:
All designated employees must file statements no later than April 1.
Annual statements must disclose any reportable investments, interests in real property, income and business positions held or received during the previous calendar year.
Leaving Office Statements:
All persons who leave designated positions must file statements within 30 days after leaving office.
Leaving Office Statements must disclose reportable investments, interests in real property, income and business positions held or received during the period between the closing date of the last statement filed and the date of leaving office.
Where do Designated Officials submit Form 700?
The cover page must be signed and dated and sent with the completed Form 700 with original signature to:
UC Conflict of Interest Coordinator
1111 Franklin Street, 8th Floor
Oakland, CA 94607-5200
What happens if I am required to submit Form 700 and do not?
Sanctions for Violations of the Disqualification Provisions of the Act:
The Act provides that violators are subject to administrative, criminal, and civil sanctions. In addition, persons violating an agency’s conflict of interest code are subject to disciplinary action. (Gov. Code, § 91003.5.) Persons violating the Act:
May be subject to monetary penalties imposed by the Fair Political Practices Commission;
May be enjoined or compelled to comply with the provisions of the Act in an injunctive action brought by any person living in California;
May be liable in a civil action; or
May be prosecuted for a misdemeanor and, if convicted, fined
What is the UC Designated Officials Conflict of Interest course?
The University of California has developed a Conflict of Interest Course for Designated Officials designed to help individuals identify and understand conflict of interest situations that may arise during the course of their University employment. This course was developed through UCOP with a UC vendor, Workplace Answers. The course can be taken on any computer with Internet access. The University of California requires that all Designated Officials complete the course. The course will remain available online throughout the year.
Designated Officials can access the course by sending an email to ucethics@ucop.edu or log in directly through the Web portal by entering in an employee ID and last name.
The UCOP Ethics Team welcomes and encourages comments about this course. Please send feedback about to ucethics@ucop.edu.
