Spring Break
New Conduct Hotline Established
Callers Can Report Code Of Compliance, Ethics Violations
Shawn Beals
Issue date: 9/18/06 Section: News
A 24-hour code of conduct compliance report line was recently launched, providing a source to anonymously report code of compliance and ethics violations at the Storrs and regional campuses.
The Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics, with the help of an outside company with university hotline experience, started the hotline to give anyone involved with the university an opportunity to get guidance on fraud, misconduct and policy violations mapped out in the UConn Code of Conduct, said Rachel Rubin, director of compliance for Storrs and regional campuses.
"People don't want to have their identity known, so this is another way to get questions asked and answered," Rubin said.
Anonymous callers receive a unique PIN number when they call, according to Rubin. After a call is placed, university staff follows up on the issue by interviewing those involved and reviewing policy to settle issues. Rubin said there are six available university staff members to address issues and the staff is not part of the independent company that runs the report line only.
There have been about 25 total reports so far, including a few through the program's website, said Rubin. The calls have included questions about management, union issues and documentation.
The compliance office was created at the recommendation of the UConn Board of Trustees. They identified the need for a way to enforce compliance of the Code of Conduct, Rubin said. A consultant was hired to review the Code of Conduct and put the report line in place.
Rubin said the report line only applies to university staff.
"We don't deal with student issues," she said. "We would direct them to the office of student affairs."
The Code of Conduct outlines expected behavior by university employees. It includes an ethics statement and standards of research, education and patient care at the UConn Health Center, and business and legal standards. The May 2006 version of the Code of Conduct also includes a letter from the university president.
The public, students and staff can report any violations of the code or questions related to the code.
"It sounds like a good idea," said Peter Ferlazo, a 6th-semester communications major. "You can remain anonymous and hopefully get your point across."
Other universities, including Boston University, have similar systems in place, with phone and Internet report options. Their system also provides anonymity to "report activities that may involve improper conduct or violations of university policies," according to the university ethics web site.
Reports can also be made directly through the Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics over the phone or online.
The Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics, with the help of an outside company with university hotline experience, started the hotline to give anyone involved with the university an opportunity to get guidance on fraud, misconduct and policy violations mapped out in the UConn Code of Conduct, said Rachel Rubin, director of compliance for Storrs and regional campuses.
"People don't want to have their identity known, so this is another way to get questions asked and answered," Rubin said.
Anonymous callers receive a unique PIN number when they call, according to Rubin. After a call is placed, university staff follows up on the issue by interviewing those involved and reviewing policy to settle issues. Rubin said there are six available university staff members to address issues and the staff is not part of the independent company that runs the report line only.
There have been about 25 total reports so far, including a few through the program's website, said Rubin. The calls have included questions about management, union issues and documentation.
The compliance office was created at the recommendation of the UConn Board of Trustees. They identified the need for a way to enforce compliance of the Code of Conduct, Rubin said. A consultant was hired to review the Code of Conduct and put the report line in place.
Rubin said the report line only applies to university staff.
"We don't deal with student issues," she said. "We would direct them to the office of student affairs."
The Code of Conduct outlines expected behavior by university employees. It includes an ethics statement and standards of research, education and patient care at the UConn Health Center, and business and legal standards. The May 2006 version of the Code of Conduct also includes a letter from the university president.
The public, students and staff can report any violations of the code or questions related to the code.
"It sounds like a good idea," said Peter Ferlazo, a 6th-semester communications major. "You can remain anonymous and hopefully get your point across."
Other universities, including Boston University, have similar systems in place, with phone and Internet report options. Their system also provides anonymity to "report activities that may involve improper conduct or violations of university policies," according to the university ethics web site.
Reports can also be made directly through the Office of Audit, Compliance and Ethics over the phone or online.
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