13.21 / Gifts to Employees

Effective: April 15, 2011Last Revised: August 08, 2019

  1. Purpose

    The purpose of this statement is to provide guidance regarding limitations and restrictions imposed by the State of Kansas regarding gifts to state employees.

  2. Preamble

    The State of Kansas imposes limitations and restrictions on gifts to state employees. This policy statement is intended to provide guidance on those limitations and restrictions, as interpreted and construed by the Governmental Ethics Commission.

  3. Policy

    1. University employees may be given a gift1 by the University if it is valued at less than $40 and if the gift is given at a ceremony or public function.

    2. No cash or cash equivalent, i.e., gift cards,2 may be given as a gratuity, gift or other favor to a University employee from any fund source.

    3. Gifts from personal friends may be given/exchanged when it is obvious that the gift is not being given because of the employee's official position with the University.

    4. Questions regarding interpretation of this policy and the applicable state statutes should be directed to the General Counsel's Office.

    1 A "gift" would not include employee recognition awards given as a part of the total compensation package.

    2 A "gift card" would not include a coupon or certificate redeemable for one specifically identified item, e.g., a ham or turkey.

  4. Implementation

    This policy shall be included in the WSU Policies and Procedures Manual and shared with appropriate constituencies of the University.

    The Director of Financial Operations and Business Technology shall have primary responsibility for publication, dissemination and implementation of this University policy.

(See also Payments to University Employees for Services or Recognition with Monies Held by the Wichita State University Foundation or the Wichita State University Board of Trustees at Section 13.03 of this manual.)