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[regular]

I currently work full-time as an Admission Counselor at a two-year, public college.  Just recently, in addition to my full-time work, I started a part-time college admission and financial aid consulting business, which I run out of my home office.  To avoid a conflict of interest, within the confines of my consulting business, I do not work with students who have any interest in attending a two-year college.

Do you consider this a conflict of interest?  If so, could you please explain your rationale.  If you do not consider this a conflict of interest, likewise, could you please explain your rationale?  Either way, could you provide any resources discussing this particular issue, one way or another?

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[cj405]

To avoid a conflict of interest, within the confines of my consulting business, I do not work with students who have any interest in attending a two-year college.

This passes my sniff test.  My rationale is above.

As long is this is OK with your employer and clients, I can't see why it would matter to anyone else.

[dale1]

@regular:

I expect NACAC has ethical standards that are published.  Please check those out.

[chronanon]

I predict there's no way that flies with your college's HR department. 

[adminanon]

I predict there's no way that flies with your college's HR department. 

Chime. Not to mention the possibility of it violating state laws (depending on the state and how/if it regulates what public college employees may do for outside work), not just college-level HR policies. And if somehow it gets into the press or even just becomes widely known around campus, it's not going to look good no matter the boundaries you've laid out here.

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/07/29/ethics discusses the larger issue of admissions people consulting on the side.

http://www.nacacnet.org/AboutNACAC/Policies/Documents/SPGP.pdf is dated 2009, but should give you some NACAC input on the matter.

[higheredguy]

I predict there's no way that flies with your college's HR department. 

I agree. If I was your boss I would ask you to quit the side gig or find a new bread and butter.

[csaosomeday]

Not only does NACAC have a code of ethics, but so does IECA (http://www.iecaonline.com/) which is the main organization for educational consultants.  If neither of them are troubled by your business and your HR office clears it, I would suggest listing something like "follows all IECA and NACAC ethical guidelines" on your materials to make it clear that you are on the up and up.