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maintain the knowledge and skills required to maintain an appropriate level of competence and <br /> remain current on laws and regulations associated with their field or profession,but do not require <br /> them to serve as an officer, chair, or committee member to any organization. <br /> la:) A McNeese Financial Aid employee is asked to chair a task force and a committee for <br /> NASFAA. The responsibility of the chair is to organize the national conference for over 3,000 <br /> conference attendees. This requires coordination through telephone conferences and one trip to <br /> Washington, D.C. Lodging and transportation are provided by NASFAA for the trip to D.C. in <br /> preparation of the national conference.NASFAA makes the arrangements directly with the hotels <br /> and/or airlines and no funds are provided directly to the employee or the University. <br /> Question la) <br /> Does the institutional membership and the fact that the complimentary travel is paid on behalf <br /> of the University and not the employee while on University time constitute a violation of La. <br /> R.S. 42:1111(A)?Is an affidavit of disclosure required? <br /> The Board concluded,and instructed me to inform you,that under the facts provided,the McNeese <br /> employee would not be prohibited from receiving the complimentary accommodations of lodging <br /> and transportation provided by NASFAA. La.R.S. 42:1111(A)prohibits a person from receiving <br /> anything of economic value,other than compensation and benefits from the governmental entity,for <br /> the performance of the duties and responsibilities of his office. The accommodations are made by <br /> a national association that does not have nor is seeking to have a contractual or business relationship <br /> with the University.Since the employee is traveling in his capacity as a member of the task force and <br /> committee,the lodging and travel received by the employee is not derived from a prohibited source, <br /> the McNeese employee's acceptance of accommodations is not prohibited.Further,an affidavit does <br /> not need to be filed in this instance. <br /> lb) A McNeese Financial Aid employee was elected to serve as the President of the SWASFAA <br /> association.As President,the responsibilities are to travel to the various regions to preside over the <br /> meetings of the association,give presentations at these meetings and to serve on the NASFAA Board <br /> of Directors.During these travels,payment for lodging is paid by the employee and simultaneously <br /> reimbursed by the SWASFAA for a portion of the lodging and the remainder is reimbursed by the <br /> University. <br /> Questions lb) <br /> Does the institutional membership and the fact that the complimentary travel is paid on behalf <br /> of the University and not the employee while on University time constitute a violation of La. <br /> R.S. 42:1111(A)? Is an affidavit of disclosure required? <br /> The Board concluded,and instructed me to inform you,that under the facts provided,the McNeese <br /> employee would not be prohibited from receiving the complimentary travel provided by SWASFAA. <br /> 2 <br />