NEW SYSTEM: Full Launch of UPDATED Employment Disclosure Process in SmartSheet by May 15, 2026
From May 7, 2026 through May 15, 2026, all schools and colleges have onboarded to Smartsheet from Qualtrics.
The Qualtrics questionnaire has retired. The transition to Smartsheet features time-saving automations and access to real-time tracking for clearance status. If you haven't already, please review the system demonstration as well as the user guide instructions.
SmartSheet Migration Timeline
All units will be migrating the Employment Disclosure Questionnaire process over from Qualtrics to Smartsheet. The table below outlines the general timeline of the migration.
| School/College | Date of Transition |
| College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences | 5/8/2026 - (Already transitioned) |
| College of Biological Sciences | Already transitioned |
| College of Engineering | 5/8/2026 - (Already transitioned) |
| Continuing Professional Education | 5/8/2026 - (Already transitioned) |
| College of Letters and Science | 5/12/2026 - (Already transitioned) |
| Graduate Studies | 5/14/2026 - (Already transitioned) |
| Graduate School of Management | 5/14/2026 - (Already transitioned) |
| Library | 5/14/2026 - (Already transitioned) |
| School of Education | 5/14/2026 - (Already transitioned) |
| School of Law | 5/14/2026 - (Already transitioned) |
| School of Medicine | Already transitioned |
| School of Veterinary Medicine | Already transitioned |
| Office of Research | 5/18/2026 - (Already transitioned) |
| Office of the Chancellor and Provost | 5/26/2026 - (Already transitioned) |
Overview of Migration
Congrats on transitioning to SmartSheet! This new system is intended to make the Employment Disclosure Questionnaire more seamless and user friendly.
All users should have already received a "ready-go" email with a user guide and demo video. A paid-license account is NOT required for anyone using the dashboard. You should have been granted a guest account. If you do not yet received this access to SmartSheet, please reach out to [email protected] and copy your Dean's office.
BREAKS IN SERVICE
As of October 28, 2025, a new Employment Disclosure Questionnaire is not required for academic appointees that have a break in service if ALL of the following are true:
- they have cleared the employment disclosure process within the last 12 months
- they are returning to the same academic series*
- they are returning to the same school or college (or unit, if applicable)**
If any of these statements are false, a new Employment Disclosure Questionnaire will be required for their upcoming employment term.
*For these purposes, Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs), Teaching Assistants (TAs), Readers, Associate Instructors (AIs), and Tutors are considered the same academic series.
**To learn if a candidate has previously been cleared, please confirm with your Dean's office, Academic Personnel colleagues.
Effective January 1, 2025, the University of California, Davis, will comply with Senate Bill 791 and Assembly Bill 810.
Recent California legislation (SB 791 and AB 810) requires misconduct disclosures, and in some cases outreach to prior employers, when considering candidates for vacant academic appointments. This legislation and its implementation by the University of California aims to improve the climate and safety of all UC campuses.
To comply with these laws:
- All candidates will receive the required job ad posting language (see below) either in the ad posting itself, or sent directly to candidates not going through an open recruitment.
- All academic applicants will be required to sign an "Authorization of Release" form.
- All final candidates will be required to complete the Employee Disclosure Questionnaire.
As of January 1, 2025, all academic hiring must follow the appropriate procedures detailed below. Note: Recruitments opened/posted before January 1, 2025, should continue under the prior (unmodified) procedures.
CA Senate Bill 791 (SB 791)
California Senate Bill 791 (SB 791)
On October 7, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 791 into law, which requests the University to:
- Require applicants to disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions issued within the last seven years from the date of submission of an employment application determining that the applicant committed sexual harassment.
- Permit applicants to disclose if they have filed an appeal with the previous employer, administrative agency, or court, if applicable.
The University intends to apply the requirements of SB 791 to all employees and volunteers during the hiring process.
CA Assembly Bill 810 (AB 810)
California Assembly Bill 810 (AB 810)
On September 27, 2024, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 810 into law, which expands SB 791 with the following requirements for applicants to tenure-track/tenured appointments:
- In the event the applicant reaches the final stages of the application process, the applicant will be required to sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s previous employers to the UC location concerning any allegations of misconduct. This authorization will permit the UC location to evaluate the released information with respect to the criteria for a potential appointment.
- UC will use the signed release form to make a reasonable attempt to obtain information from the previous employer concerning any allegations of misconduct.
The University intends to apply the process outlined in AB 810 to the following appointments: Tenure-track/tenure faculty (Professor series) and potential security of employment/security of employment faculty (Professor of Teaching series). AB 810 also applies to Athletic Head Coach, Athletic Assistant Coach, Athletic Trainer, or Supervising Athletic Trainer positions.
Definitions
Employment Disclosure Requirements Definitions
Misconduct is defined as:
- Any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at a candidate’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the previous employer.
As of June 2025, the definition of misconduct has been revised to remove the terms "dishonesty" and "unethical conduct."
Decisions include:
- Final Administrative Decisions: A written determination by a previous employer as to whether a candidate committed Misconduct. Examples of a final administration decision include but are not limited to a determination by a decisionmaker (employer or state or federal agency) following a final investigative report and the subsequent hearing, or the imposition of employment discipline or corrective action related to the candidate’s Misconduct; OR
- Final Judicial Decisions: A final determination of a matter submitted to a court regarding the candidate’s Misconduct that is recorded in a judgment or order of that court.
Appeal is defined as:
- A request for a review of a Decision, as defined above. This could be through any previous employer’s applicable appeal process or an appeal of a Judicial Decision through the applicable appeals process. Examples include filing a grievance, using an appeal process defined by policy, or filing an appeal with the appropriate judicial body or agency.
A pdf of these definitions can be found here: https://aadocs.ucdavis.edu/employment-disclosure-requirements-definitions.pdf
Required Language to Provide to All Applicants
UC locations are required to insert the following statement, definitions, and links in UC Recruit*:
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" (AOR) into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.
*This language and updated AOR have been added to UC RECRUIT so that it will be included in all new recruitments as of June 2025.
Required Language to include in Conditional Offers (Tentative Offer Letter)
“By signing this letter, the undersigned represents that they are not currently the subject of any disciplinary proceeding (investigations, hearing, etc.) at any and all academic institutions, places of employment, academic/professional societies, and/or professional licensing bodies, nor that they had in the past seven (7) years been formally disciplined at any of the following: any and all academic institutions, places of employment, academic/professional societies, and/or professional licensing bodies. If there are questions about this attestation, please contact Sandi Glithero ([email protected].) Note: The candidate may append a statement of explanation regarding any information or materials shared.”
Last updated May 2026.
Institutional Reference Check
For tenure track and Professor of Teaching candidates (a complete list of these titles can be found here), Academic Affairs, for the previous 7 years, will contact the current or previous institutions for any records related to disciplinary investigations or disciplinary action. Academic Affairs will limit its inquiry to substantiated findings of misconduct and associated discipline related to teaching, research, service and (if applicable) clinical care. In accordance with the signed authorization, the campus is entitled to this information, even if confidential, including any materials that have been sealed or agreed to be withheld pursuant to a prior agreement or court proceeding.
In order to protect a candidate’s privacy, all information received in connection with the Reference Check process will be treated as confidential and retained in accordance with UC policy. Should the candidate be offered and accept the position, any information received shall be securely maintained and held in the campus Academic Affairs Office and only shared with those with a business need to know at the department, school, or college level.
Disclosure Questionnaire Process
Workflow for SB 791 / AB 810 Process
https://aadocs.ucdavis.edu/policies/flowchart-of-sb791-and-ab810-process.pdf
For academic non-tenure track/non-security of employment candidates hired by an Open Recruitment:
Step 1: Candidate applies to UC Recruit and must complete and include Authorization to Release Information Form with their application in order for their application to be considered complete. Employment Disclosure Requirement Process language is automatically included in all recruitments processed in UC Recruit. If completed outside UC Recruit, please include the required language in your job posting/advertisement (Provided at this link: https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/employment-disclosure-requirements).
Step 2: Finalist for the position is identified.
Step 3: Hiring Department or Dean’s Office use the following link: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1EUo203DUBzuosK to complete the survey providing information on final candidate to be issued the Employee Disclosure Questionnaire. The survey will require the following documents to be uploaded:
- The signed Authorization of Release form
- The candidate’s C.V./Resume
Step 4: Academic Affairs receives the completed survey via [email protected]. Academic Affairs will complete the internal steps needed to:
- Provide Employee Disclosure Questionnaire to the required candidate
- Process received responses including any required consultation
- Communicate outcome to appropriate Department/Dean’s Office contact
*NOTE: If candidate does not respond and complete the survey within 7 days, the candidate will not be cleared. If the department remains interested in the candidate, a new survey will need to be completed via: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1EUo203DUBzuosK.
Step 5: Once process is completed, Academic Affairs will notify the appropriate Department/Dean’s Office contact of the outcome via email from [email protected].
Step 6: If cleared, offer is issued.
Step 7a: If appointment is Redelegated, the Dean's Office ensures the clearance has been received prior to issuing offer.
Step 7b: If appointment is Non-redelegated, Dean's Office ensures the clearance has been received prior to submitting the appointment for review.
Step 8: Appointment process is started.
For academic candidates hired by an Open Recruitment for the following faculty titles:
- Ladder Rank Assistant Professor through Professor
- Assistant Professor of Teaching through Professor of Teaching
- Acting Professor of Law through Professor of Law
Step 1: Candidate applies to UC Recruit and must complete and include Authorization to Release Information Form with their application in order for their application to be considered complete.
- Employment Disclosure Requirement Process language is automatically included in all recruitments processed in UC Recruit. If completed outside UC Recruit, please include the required language in your job posting/advertisement (Provided at this link: https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/employment-disclosure-requirements).
Step 2: Finalist for the position is identified.
Step 3: Hiring Department or Dean’s Office uses the following link: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1EUo203DUBzuosK to complete the survey providing information on final candidate to be issued the Employee Disclosure Questionnaire. The survey will require the following documents to be uploaded:
- The signed Authorization of Release form
- The candidate’s C.V./Resume.
Step 4: Academic Affairs receives the completed survey via [email protected]. Academic Affairs will complete the internal steps needed to:
- Provide Employee Disclosure Questionnaire to the required candidate
- Process received responses including any required consultation
- Communicate outcome to appropriate Department/Dean’s Office contact
*NOTE: If candidate does not respond and complete the survey within 7 days, the candidate will not be cleared. If the department remains interested in the candidate, a new survey will need to be completed via: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1EUo203DUBzuosK.
Step 5: Once process is completed, Academic Affairs will notify the appropriate Department/Dean’s Office contact of the outcome via email from [email protected].
Step 6: If cleared, offer is issued.
Step 7a: If appointment is Redelegated, the Dean's Office ensures the clearance has been received prior to issuing offer.
Step 7b: If appointment is Non-redelegated, Dean's Office ensures the clearance has been received prior to submitting the appointment for review.
Step 8: Appointment process is started.
For academic candidates hired by a Waiver/Exemption (This does not pertain to Recall Exemptions for retired UC Davis academics) (This does pertain to Target of Excellence hires):
Step 1: Candidate is identified.
Step 2: Hiring Department sends to the candidate:
- Employment Disclosure Requirement Process language which can be found at the following link: https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/employment-disclosure-requirements.
- The Authorization to Release Information form
Step 3: Hiring Department or Dean's Office initiates recruitment waiver/exemption and must upload with the request:
- The completed Authorization to Release Information form.
- Documentation that the candidate received the Employment Disclosure Requirement Process language.
Step 4: Once the recruitment waiver/exemption is approved, Hiring Department or Dean’s Office uses the following link: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1EUo203DUBzuosK to complete the survey providing information on final candidate to be issued the Employee Disclosure Questionnaire. The survey will require the following documents to be uploaded:
- The signed Authorization of Release form
- The candidate’s C.V./Resume.
Step 5: Academic Affairs receives the completed survey via [email protected]. Academic Affairs will complete the internal steps needed to:
- Provide Employee Disclosure Questionnaire to the required candidate
- Process received responses including any required consultation
- Communicate outcome to appropriate Department/Dean’s Office contact
*NOTE: If candidate does not respond and complete the survey within 7 days, the candidate will not be cleared. If the department remains interested in the candidate, a new survey will need to be completed via: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1EUo203DUBzuosK.
Step 6: Once process is completed, Academic Affairs will notify the appropriate Department/Dean’s Office contact of the outcome via email from [email protected].
Step 7: If cleared, offer is issued.
Step 8a: If appointment is Redelegated, Dean's Office ensures the clearance has been received prior to issuing offer.
Step 8b: If appointment is Non-redelegated, Dean's Office ensures the clearance has been received prior to submitting the appointment for review.
Step 9: Appointment process is started.
For Non-recruited Postdoctoral Scholars, student academic employee titles, or Interns and Residents:
Step 1: Candidate is identified.
Step 2: Hiring Department sends to the candidate:
- Employment Disclosure Requirement Process language which can be found at the following link: https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/employment-disclosure-requirements
- The Authorization to Release Information form
Step 3: Hiring Department or Dean’s Office uses the following link: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1EUo203DUBzuosK to complete the survey providing information on final candidate to be issued the Employee Disclosure Questionnaire. The survey will require the following documents to be uploaded:
- The signed Authorization to Release Information form
Step 4: Academic Affairs receives the completed survey via [email protected]. Academic Affairs will complete the internal steps needed to:
- Provide Employee Disclosure Questionnaire to the required candidate
- Process received responses including any required consultation
- Communicate outcome to appropriate Department/Dean’s Office contact
*NOTE: If academic does not respond and complete the survey within 7 days, the candidate will not be cleared. If the department remains interested in the candidate, a new survey will need to be completed via: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1EUo203DUBzuosK.
Step 5: Once process is completed, Academic Affairs will notify the appropriate Department/Dean’s Office contact of the outcome via email from [email protected].
Step 6: If cleared, offer is issued.
Step 7: Dean's Office ensures the clearance has been received prior to issuing offer.
Step 8: Appointment process is started.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
The below frequently asked questions (FAQs) aim to address common questions and concerns related to the misconduct disclosure requirement and institutional reference check under California SB 791 and AB 810, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe and professional environment at the University of California and were updated as of 2/12/2025.
(1) What is California SB 791 and AB 810?
California SB 791 is a legislative bill that mandates applicants for academic or administrative positions to disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions issued within the last seven years determining that they committed sexual harassment.
California AB 810 is a legislative bill that mandates applicants for tenure-track and tenure positions to sign a release form that authorizes, in the event the applicant reaches the final stages of the application process, the release of information by the applicant’s previous employers to the UC location concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct in order to permit the UC location to evaluate the released information with respect to the criteria for a potential job placement. The bill further requires the UC to use the signed release form to make a reasonable attempt to obtain information from the previous employer concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
(2) How do these new laws impact the UC?
In response, the University will implement these bills by:
- Requiring all proposed hires to disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions issued within the last seven years from the date of submission of an employment application determining that the proposed hire committed misconduct, including sexual harassment (through the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire and the Authorization to Release Information form).
- Proposed hires will also be permitted to disclose if they have filed an appeal with the previous employer, administrative agency, or court, if applicable.
- Requiring all proposed hires in the Professor series or Professor of Teaching series to sign a release form (Authorization to Release Information) that authorizes the release of information by the proposed hire’s previous employers to the UC location concerning any allegations of misconduct in order to permit the UC location to evaluate the released information with respect to the criteria for a potential job placement. The release form is required for all employees if the UC location wishes to follow-up with a prior employer.
- Requiring all locations to use the signed release form (Authorization to Release Information) to make a reasonable attempt to obtain information from the previous employer concerning any allegations of misconduct for all proposed hires in the Professor series or Professor of Teaching series regardless of the proposed hire’s responses in the misconduct disclosure questionnaire.
(3) When is this effective?
The University of California is implementing SB 791 and AB 810 effective January 1, 2025. This means all academic recruitments opened on January 1, 2025, and thereafter, are subject to the misconduct disclosure requirements, and authorization release and prior employer follow-up where applicable. The standards of misconduct disclosure requirements will not be applied to recruitments that opened prior to January 1, 2025 at UC Davis. Locations had the discretion to determine whether to apply the standards of misconduct disclosure requirements to recruitments that opened prior to January 1, 2025. These updated interim guidelines apply to new recruitments posted after April 18, 2025; however, locations have the discretion to determine whether to apply the updated guidelines to open recruitments.
Not all academic recruitments are processed within UC Recruit, such as search waivers and exemptions (e.g., volunteers). In those situations, effective January 1, 2025, all proposed hires are subject to the misconduct disclosure requirements, and authorization release and prior employer follow-up where applicable.
(4) Why do we require the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire from all proposed hires?
Requiring the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire ensures a safe and respectful environment for all students, faculty, other academic appointees, and staff. It helps the institution identify individuals with a history of sexual harassment, thereby protecting the community and maintaining a professional and safe working and learning environment.
(5) Who needs to comply with this requirement?
Proposed hires for academic or administrative positions at the University of California must comply with this requirement. This includes positions at all levels, ranks, and steps for all academic series appointees. At a minimum, the proposed hire will be required to submit the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire . For some recruitments, this may be required earlier in the recruitment process (e.g., shortlist or interview stages).
(5a) Does this include volunteers and Contingent Workers (CWRs)?
Yes, the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire is required as part of onboarding volunteers and contingent workers.
(5b) Does this include reappointment in the same title series?
No, the academic appointee is not required to complete the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire at the time of reappointment in the same academic series. This may also apply to some appointment via change in title actions. Please consult with Academic Affairs to confirm by emailing [email protected].
(5c) Does an academic appointee who has a break in service need to complete a new Employee Misconduct Questionnaire?
A new Employment Disclosure Questionnaire is not required for academic appointees that have a break in service if ALL of the following are true:
- they have cleared the employment disclosure process within the last 12 months,
- they are returning to the same academic series*, and
- they are returning to the same school or college (or unit, if applicable)**.
If any of these statements are false, a new Employment Disclosure Questionnaire will be required for their upcoming employment term.
*For these purposes, Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs), Teaching Assistants (TAs), Readers, Associate Instructors (AIs), and Tutors are considered the same academic series.
**To learn if a candidate has previously been cleared, please confirm with your Dean's office, Academic Personnel colleagues.
(5d) Does this include a change of series from one academic series to another at the same UC campus (i.e., postdoctoral scholar to assistant specialist)?
Yes, if the academic appointee was not previously required to complete the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire at the time of appointment in their previous academic series. However, shifts between the academic student title (TA, GSR, AI, Reader, Tutor) appointments within the same college/school, do not require a new Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire.
(5e) Does this include moving from a WOS position to a paid position in the same series, for example, from an Adjunct WOS to a paid Adjunct?
Yes, if the academic appointee in the WOS position was not previously required to complete the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire at the time of appointment in the WOS title.
(5f) Does this include employees who are transferring from a different UC campus?
Yes.
(5g) Does this include FTE transfers within a UC campus? Can the UC require misconduct disclosure from a current UC employee as part of the new normal hiring process?
While not required by law, it is recommended that each hiring unit (department) exercise their due diligence when hiring from even within the same campus. Hiring units (departments) can require the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire from all proposed hires even if the proposed hire is a current UC employee. Please consult with Academic Affairs via email at [email protected].
Some examples could include:
- An academic who is receiving a Joint/Joint (WOS) appointment in a different department.
- An MSP employee who is additionally being appointed to a volunteer academic title
(5h) Does this include a current academic who is taking on a leadership (administrative) role or a current academic nominated to an Internal Endowed appointment?
The Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire is not required for current academics taking on a leadership (administrative) role or current academics nominated to an internal Endowed appointment.
(5i) Does this include Recall appointments?
The Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire is not required for academics recalled to the UC Davis campus in the same department as their original appointment. While not required, it is recommended that each hiring unit (department) exercise their due diligence when recalling academics from another campus and/or from a different school/college or department. Hiring units (departments) can require the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire from all proposed recall appointments.
(6) What types of decisions need to be disclosed?
Proposed hires must disclose any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at a candidate’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination as defined by the previous employer. This includes decisions from educational institutions, employers, courts, or other relevant bodies.
(7) How recent must these decisions be to require misconduct disclosure?
Only decisions issued within the last seven years from the date of application submission need to be disclosed.
(8) How does the candidate submit their misconduct disclosure? Who will see it?
Each candidate will receive an email from [email protected] that will provide them with a link to complete the Employment Disclosure Questionnaire. Candidates responses will be received via Qualtrics managed by Academic Affairs, as the only office that will receive this information and will share it only on a need to know basis.
(9) Where will the completed misconduct disclosures be stored and how long will they remain in our archives?
In order to protect a candidate’s privacy, the misconduct disclosure form and any information pertaining to prior misconduct must be treated as confidential and retained per local procedures.
If the proposed hire is hired by the University, the misconduct disclosure form, and any information pertaining to prior misconduct received from a prior employer, shall be retained in a file separate from the personnel file but retained in accordance with the disposition of records for personnel files.
If the proposed hire is not hired by the University, the misconduct disclosure form, and any information pertaining to prior misconduct received from a prior employer, shall be retained in a file separate from the recruitment records but retained in accordance with the disposition of records for recruitment files.
(10) What happens if a candidate fails to disclose such decisions?
Failure to disclose required information can result in disqualification from the recruitment or appointment process, or termination of employment if the omission is discovered after hiring. It is crucial for maintaining integrity and trust in the hiring process.
(11) How will the disclosed information be used?
The disclosed information will be reviewed as part of the overall assessment of the proposed hire's suitability for the position. It will be handled with confidentiality and used solely for the purpose of evaluating the proposed hire's qualifications and ensuring the safety of the academic community.
(12) Who is involved in the decision-making process if a proposed hire discloses prior misconduct?
Academic Affairs leadership will evaluate the disclosure responses. Based on the findings, additional consultation may involve the campus Title IX Officer and the Dean/Department Chair for the relevant recruitment.
(12a) Will disclosure of prior misconduct automatically disqualify a proposed hire?
Not necessarily. The disclosed information will be reviewed as part of the overall assessment of the proposed hire's suitability for the position.
(13) How will a department know a candidate is cleared for hire?
The Dean’s Office contact will provide them with the clearance email received from [email protected]. The department contact that had completed the Hiring Department Survey will also be provided the clearance email. The full process is outlined on our website under “Disclosure Question Process” at the following link: https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/employment-disclosure-requirements.
(13a) Is the clearance email required to be included in the appointment dossier?
Please do not include the Employment Disclosure Process clearance email in the appointment dossier. Where applicable, appointment checklists have been updated to reflect this guidance (see https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/forms-and-checklists). However, we expect that deans' offices are ensuring that any academic candidate is cleared before being appointed.
(14) What steps does the University take to ensure fairness in this process?
The University is committed to fair and equitable hiring practices. Each misconduct disclosure will be reviewed in context, considering the severity of the incident, the proposed hire's actions since the decision, and other relevant factors. The goal is to balance transparency and accountability with fairness and rehabilitation.
(15) Where can proposed hires find more information or seek clarification about this requirement?
Proposed hires can find more information on this website throughout the entire page and FAQs: https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/employment-disclosure-requirements or email [email protected].
(16) Where can hiring departments find more information or seek clarification about the process?
Departments can find more information on this website throughout the entire page and FAQs: https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/employment-disclosure-requirements or email [email protected].
(17) Will this delay our recruitments?
Delays should be minimal with the active engagement of the proposed hire(s) in the misconduct disclosure process. We will consider the timeliness of decisions and communication to avoid significant delays in hiring while also ensuring the safety of the academic community. Dean’s offices can be the point of contact for questions on the status of any of their recruitments and can connect with Academic Affairs for additional status information as needed.
(18) How does this requirement align with the University’s commitment to a safe and inclusive environment?
By enforcing this requirement, the University of California demonstrates its commitment to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone. It helps ensure that individuals with a history of misconduct, including sexual harassment, are identified and assessed appropriately, upholding the values and integrity of the academic community.
(19) Is every candidate required to complete the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire?
No. Only those proposed hires the University of California has determined meet the minimum employment qualifications may be required to complete the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire. At a minimum, all proposed hires must complete the Employment Misconduct Disclosure Questionnaire.
(20) Is every proposed hire required to complete the Authorization to Release Information form?
The Authorization to Release Information Form is a required part of the application materials for all academic recruitments; and, if not included, the application will be considered incomplete and not be reviewed further.
(21) What happens if a specific title code seems to be missing from the dropdown menu in Smartsheet?
If the title code is not listed in Smartsheet or on this list of academic titles, reach out to [email protected].
(22) A list of updates can be found below.
5/26/2026 - The Employment Disclosure Questionnaire has transitioned from Qualtrics to Smartsheet.
1/14/2026 - FAQ 5b regarding reappointments in the same title series has been amended to add "...as long as they have already completed the disclosure process for that position."
1/07/2026 - The Employment Disclosure Process has been added to the Target of Excellence webpage.
11/26/2025 - The Break in Service policy language has been updated to clarify areas effected. The new language in bullet three now reads "...they are returning to the same school or college (or unit, if applicable)**"
11/26/2025 - A new FAQ (see FAQ 13a) regarding management of clearance emails in the appointment dossier has been added.
11/17/2025 - The Authorization of Information Release form has been updated
11/03/2025 - A new policy regarding breaks in service went into effect on 10/28/25. (See FAQ 5c, and 11/3/25 email from AVP Binnie Singh)
10/31/2025 - A Candidate CV/Resume is no longer required for Student Academic positions. Under the Disclosure Questionnaire Process, the requirements for hiring Non-recruited Postdoctoral Scholars, student academic employee titles, or Interns and Residents - Step 3, has been updated. (See 11/3/25 email from Binnie Singh).
6/30/2025 - Definition of misconduct has been revised to remove "dishonesty" and "unethical conduct." (See more under "Definitions" tab, and in 7/7/25 email from AVP Binnie Singh)
- A new policy regarding summer breaks in service went into effect on 6/30/25. (See more under FAQ 5c, and in 7/7/25 email from AVP Binnie Singh)
- Employment Disclosure Questionnaire has been shortened to 2 questions.