Annual Report and Disclosure of Non-University Activities
External activities that enhance academic staff members’ professional skills or constitute public service can benefit the University as well as the individual. However, because such activities can lead to conflicts of commitment or interest, they must be measured and monitored. The reporting of non-university activities (RNUA) process provides a mechanism for the academic staff to annual disclose these external activities.
The following links can be used by all academic staff, unit executive officers, and primary reviewers to complete the mandatory annual Reports of Non-University Activities.
The RNUA annual schedule, frequently asked questions (FAQ), and START myDisclosures application can be accessed at the following links:
For the purpose of the RNUA disclosure procedure, the UIS Primary Reviewers and Division Heads are assigned the responsibilities of the Unit Executive Officers (UEO) as described in the RNUA procedures.
RNUA Schedule 2025 (linked above)
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 08/16/2025 | Campus Deans, Directors and Department Heads, and System Office Unit Directors notified of upcoming RNUA process and schedule |
| 09/15/2025 | Employees notified of RNUA submission deadlines |
| 09/29/2025 | RNUA submission deadline |
| 10/20/2025 | Unit-level review deadline |
| 11/10/2025 | Second level of review deadline |
RNUA Guidelines for New Employees
The RNUA process is designed to at least annually provide a mechanism for all faculty, academic staff members, and postdoctoral research associates to disclose their non-University activities. However, employment with the University may begin anytime during the calendar year. In general, you should complete your RNUA within 30 days of your University start date. University guidelines have been developed to assist new hires in complying with the reporting requirements established by state law, federal regulations, and University policy. These guidelines are available at the following links:
How To Complete the RNUA
UIS requires all faculty to report their non-university activities using the university’s electronic disclosure system START myDisclosures. Below, you can find both instructions on how to complete the RNUA:
Guidance for What to Disclose
This list provides guidance on Outside Activities requiring approval and disclosure, but is not an all-inclusive list. Activities should be disclosed regardless of financial interest, amount of time, or if there is funding or payment associated with the activity.
| Activity Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Employment, Appointments, and Affiliations outside the University of Illinois (UI) System. (Includes companies, start-ups, hospitals, foundations, government, agencies, research facilities, for-profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, or other entities not part of, owned, or operated by the UI System) | Honorary, visiting, adjunct, and guest appointments/affiliations. Research or scholarship not processed through a university agreement. Operating or directing a lab or research program, or other activities that receive in-kind support. Elected or appointed positions. Appointments or affiliations cited on grants, publications, abstracts, or presentations. |
| Board service, Management, and Fiduciary responsibilities outside the UI System. | Holding a board of directors' position. Holding a management position. Fiduciary responsibilities requiring legal action in the best interest of an entity or individual other than the UI System. |
| Consulting and Expert Witness outside the UI System | Consulting. Expert witness. Scientific advisor. Scientific presentations, talks, and lectures at companies. Product endorsements. Project design, management, implementation, reporting, or other analysis. Freelance work. |
| Equity, Divestiture, and Cash-Out | Investments that relate to University Responsibilities |
| Travel | Travel paid by entities that are not exempt from reporting (see COCI policy) |
| Honoraria | Honoraria related to your University Responsibilities |
| Teaching or Continuing Education outside the UI System If you are a student or learner at the activities, disclosure is not required | Teaching at a school, university, hospital, agency, company, or organization. Participating in continuing education activities organized by a school, university, hospital, agency, company, or organization. |
| Intellectual Property not disclosed to or managed by a UI System Office of Technology Management (OTM) Disclosure is not required for academic copyright, as defined in University General Rules, Article III, Section 4 | Protection of patents, licenses, options, copyrights, etc. Interactions with non-UI System organizations not organized by a UI System OTM. Interactions may be compensated or not and include time spent discussing, consulting, planning, marketing, developing, analyzing, or reporting related to a non-UI System organization engaging in intellectual property licensing or optioning. |
| Foreign Government Talent or Recruitment Programs | Talent or recruitment programs affiliated with governmental bodies and universities outside the United States |
| University student or personnel involvement When students or university personnel are conducting University business on campus, disclosure is not required. | When outside activities include University students or personnel to work for a disclosed entity. University students or personnel assist in consulting work. |