CVTEA accreditation policies and procedures

Last update to this section: January 2024

III. CVTEA Conflict of Interest Policy

CVTEA members and AVMA staff owe a duty of loyalty to the organization, and in carrying out the affairs of CVTEA, must exercise their best care, skill and judgment, act honestly, prudently and in good faith and must not use their positions with CVTEA or knowledge gained there for personal benefit. CVTEA members and AVMA staff have an obligation to conduct business within guidelines that prohibit actual conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest. The purpose of this policy is to provide general direction so that CVTEA members and AVMA staff can seek guidance and clarification on issues that may raise conflict of interest concerns.

A conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest occurs when a CVTEA member or AVMA staff has a personal interest or relationship which may affect the exercise of their unbiased judgement in decisions concerning CVTEA accredited or applicant programs or the development of accreditation standards and policies. The duty to avoid such conflicts and the appearance of a conflict may extend to a relative of a CVTEA member or AVMA staff.

Conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest may include the following activities and relationships:

  • Graduate of a program or institution being evaluated
  • Current or past employment by the program or institution being evaluated
  • Current or past employment with a competitor of the program or institution being evaluated
  • Current or past ownership or financial interest in the program or institution being evaluated
  • Current or past service as an officer or board member of a program or institution being evaluated
  • Current or past service (within the past 10 years) as a consultant to a program or institution being evaluated
  • Current or past compensation arrangement with a program or institution being evaluated.
  • Current or past member of the advisory committee or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) (within the past 10 years) of the program being evaluated.
  • Has a close personal or familial relationships with key personnel in the program or institution being evaluated
  • Has reason to believe other conflicts of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest exists.

Additional Considerations

AVMA Staff will not conduct a visit to any institution with which they had an employment relationship or any institution that has a corporate affiliation with an institution with which they have had an employment relationship.

CVTEA members and AVMA staff will not consult with CVTEA programs or institutions for one year following their service to CVTEA, to include alumni service when applicable.

Administration of Conflicts of Interest

It is the policy of the CVTEA that the existence of any of the interests described above shall be disclosed on a timely basis to the Chair of the Committee and before any action is taken on the program or institution with which a conflict has been disclosed. Disclosures should be made to the Chair of the Committee. If the conflict of interest includes the Chair, the disclosure is made to the CVTEA Vice-Chair. Timely disclosure of such interests and relationships is an ongoing responsibility of CVTEA members and staff.

The Chair of the Committee or Vice-Chair, as applicable, shall determine whether a conflict exists. A member or staff who has a conflict of interest will recuse from the matter and will not be present during or participate in any discussion, action, or vote on the matter. The member or staff’s recusal will be recorded in the minutes of the Committee meeting during which discussion and/or action took place.

Violations of the Conflict of Interest Policy

Failure to disclose an actual or potential conflict of interest in accordance with this Conflict of Interest Policy is a violation of the AVMA Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary or correction action.

Annual Disclosures Statements

Each CVTEA member and staff is required annually to sign a statement affirming that the member or employee affirms:

  1. Having received a copy of the Conflict of Interest Policy, and
  2. Having read and understood the Policy.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FOR AVMA CVTEA

Committee Members and AVMA Staff

I have read and agree to abide by the AVMA CVTEA Conflict of Interest Policy. To the best of my knowledge, I have no conflicts as described in this Policy.

_________________________
Signature/Date

_________________________
Name (please print)

– OR –

I have read and agree to abide by the AVMA CVTEA Conflict of Interest Policy. To the best of my knowledge, I have no conflicts as described in this Policy, except those noted below or on the attachment to this form.

_________________________
Signature/Date

_________________________
Name (please print)