Using OATS
Sign into your OATS account to request prior approval for an APM 025 Category I outside professional activity (OPA), request prior approval to involve students in an OPA, document and report time engaged in APM 025 Category I and II OPAs, and complete your Annual Report of Outside Professional Activities.
The approval routing for your request is based on your title and department. You will receive email notifications, updating you on the status of your request. You can also return to your OATS portal to review the progress and decision.
Requesting Prior Approval to Engage in a Category I OPA
The OATS activity form will facilitate your request for prior approval to engage in an APM 025 Category I OPA. The request will route to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost for final decision.
Requesting Prior Approval to Involve Students in an OPA
This requirement applies to students that the faculty member has, or expects to have, academic responsibility (instructional, evaluative, or supervisory). It applies regardless of whether the faculty member is compensated for or has a financial interest in the activity. Involvement of students means any substantive activity in which the student participates, whether the student is compensated or uncompensated.
Enter Activities and Report Time
Once a Category I OPA has been approved, you can report the hours you engage in that activity throughout the reporting period. You can also enter and report hours on your Category II activities throughout the reporting period.
Based on your responses to certain prompts on the activity form, OATS will determine if your OPA is Category I, II, or III. A Category I OPA will move through the appropriate approval route. A Category II OPA will remain in your OATS record for you to return to and report the hours you engage in the activity.
If, based on your responses, OATS determines that your activity is Category III, a message will appear confirming that your activity is Category III and therefore does not require prior approval or reporting. However, if you indicated that you will be involving a student in your Category III activity, OATS will prompt you to complete the Student Involvement Form which will route to the Department Chair and then to the Dean. (See above "Requesting Prior Approval to Involve Students in an OPA" for more details on this prior approval requirement.)
Annual Certification
After the close of the reporting period (June 30), you will receive a notification to complete your Annual Report of Outside Professional Activities. This annual certification will be due by the end of September.