U of Minn. approves outlines of new ethics policy

A sweeping conflict-of-interest policy that would apply to nearly all employees of the University of Minnesota has crossed an important hurdle.

The regents unanimously approved on Friday the guidelines of the new policy. The university administration will now fill in the final details.

Several regents asked to get updates as the detailed policy is written and that the final version be brought before them. School administrators agreed.

The policy is two years in the making and is unusual nationally in its scope and flexibility.

It will allow the university to put stricter rules on employees with the most risk of conflict of interest problems while putting a lighter burden on others.