Editorial: Records should be open

Friday, Sept. 28, 2007 | 7:30 a.m.

Professors frequently author studies that become important references. The studies are often used by governments in making public policy. And they are often cited by private companies in touting their products.

So naturally the question arises: How reliable are the studies? One way of determining that is to research whether the studies' authors had any conflicts of interest.

To guard against such conflicts, UNLV requires its faculty members to complete two forms. One discloses any outside work they may be doing. The other discloses whether that work represents a conflict with their university duties.

Excellent, except ... What if hardly anyone is bothering to complete the forms and what if no one is checking to ensure they do? And what if the forms, once completed, are a big secret?

Las Vegas Sun reporters Jeff German and Steve Kanigher have revealed that just such laxity and secrecy prevails at UNLV. In July they requested copies of the forms and learned that no one at the university was collecting them.

The six UNLV colleges from which the forms were requested employ 437 faculty members. When administrators responding to the Sun's request directed the respective deans to produce the reports, only two conflict-of-interest forms and 10 employment forms were forthcoming.

A stronger, subsequent request this month produced "thousands" of pages, according to Neal Smatresk, the university's executive vice president. But up to that point, he had to admit that the university had no idea how many faculty members earn outside income and how many might have conflicts.

Once all of the forms are collected, however, the next hurdle will be to overcome their secrecy. The forms are now placed in the faculty members' confidential personnel files.

The Board of Regents is expected to discuss the disclosure issue at its Nov. 29-30 meeting. The board should ensure that completion of the forms will be enforced, and that the forms become public records.