OPACS
Frequently Asked Questions about this Tool
This page addresses possible questions about the operation of this new online reporting and certification application (called Outside Professional Activities Certification System, or OPACS).
The answers on this page are intended to help you in quickly, easily, and accurately filing your required annual report on and certification of compliance with the Faculty Policy on Conflict of Commitment and Interest.
If you have questions about the annual Conflict of Commitment and Interest certification process, including the meaning of a particular OPACS question, see the FAQ about the reporting and certification process.
Each school dean has authorized a senior administrator (including Department Chairs in the Schools of Engineering and Medicine) to monitor this reporting process and to review submissions within that school. In the Schools of Engineering and Medicine, Department Chairs will review submissions within their department. Designated administrators in the Dean of Research Office may also review reports for the purpose of ensuring that this policy is implemented with reasonable consistency across the University. A very few other University offices have access to these reports for legal or auditing purposes, but will not normally review disclosures.
2. If I make a mistake in entering a response, how do I correct it?
You may correct any response up until you use the OPACS application's "Submit" button to file your annual report and certification. While you are using the application, if you need to correct a response to a prior question, use the application's "Back" button.
3. If I can't finish my on-line report in one session, how do I suspend it and resume again?
You can close your browser to suspend and save your reporting session at any time, and the application will retain all the information you have entered up to that point. When you log in again, the application will take you to the question you were answering when you closed your browser.
4. Can I retain a copy of my responses?
Once you have submitted your annual report and certification, the OPACS application will save that information as a pdf file, and make it available to you for viewing or printing. In addition, while you are completing the form, you may print any individual page by using the "Print" function within your browser.
5. Can I review my responses before I submit the survey?
You may review and change your responses at any time before you click the "Submit" button by using the application's "Back" button. As noted above, avoid using your browser's Back button. Once you've submitted your report and certification, it cannot be changed by means of this application. In this situation, contact the cognizant officer in your School (see Help page) to modify your report or to make an ad hoc disclosure.
6. What happens when I click the "Submit" button?
When you click Submit, you signify your certification of your responses regarding compliance with the Faculty Policy on Conflict of Commitment and Interest. The OPACS application will store the responses electronically in an unalterable time- and date-stamped Adobe Acrobat file. This file will represent the University's original and permanent historical record of your certification. Once you've submitted your report and certification, it cannot be changed by means of this application. In this situation, contact the cognizant officer in your School (see Help page) to modify your report or to make an ad hoc disclosure.
7. I've already submitted my certification. Can I go back into the application now to get a copy of what I submitted?
Yes, you can. Click on https://opacsprd.stanford.edu/opinio/opacs to see previously-submitted certifications.
8. Can I access this on-line reporting tool from off campus?
Yes. This year, you are able to access the OPACS survey via any Internet connection. It is not necessary to use VPN software to file and certify your compliance report from off campus.
9. What if I can't access the on-line reporting tool?
If you have technical issues regarding connecting to or maintaining connection with the electronic application, please submit a HelpSU ticket via the HelpSU system, identifying the Request Category as "Administrative Applications," and the Request Type as "Conflict of Interest - Faculty (OPACS)."
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