Reporting Compliance Concerns
We are all responsible for creating and maintaining a healthy University environment. This includes asking questions if you’re not sure what to do and raising concerns if you see something you don’t think is right. Identifying a problem early can prevent a small problem from becoming big. It’s also the right thing to do.
Reporting Options
Where to best raise a concern depends on your particular concern and situation. There are at least four options.
>
Local Resolution
> Central Offices
> Confidential/Anonymous Reporting Service
> Reporting Options for Students
Local Resolution
The best place to raise a concern typically begins within your own college or unit through ordinary supervisory channels, beginning with an immediate supervisor, instructor, or adviser. Usually, the local unit is the most familiar with the issues and parties and best equipped to address or raise a concern to a higher level. Many units have also identified specific people to handle certain kinds of problems. Links to common unit resources are below:
(back to top)
Central Offices
Sometimes, because of the subject matter or due to work or personal
relationships, concerns may best be raised first through a specialized
central office. Examples include the Office of Equal Opportunity
and Affirmative Action for concerns about discrimination or sexual
harassment, Athletics Compliance for possible NCAA violations, or
the Research Subject Protection Programs for research subject concerns.
A list of these offices and contact information can be found at
Key Offices (PDF).
(back to top)
Confidential/Anonymous Reporting Service
Concerned about a possible violation of law or policy and are
uncomfortable raising it through normal channels? Use “Ureport,”
the University’s confidential reporting service. This reporting
service is provided by EthicsPoint, an independent company that
provides similar service for hundreds of companies and universities.
What to Report: Report any situation or University conduct you believe violates an applicable law, regulation, government contract or grant requirement, or University policy. You do not need to know the exact law or requirement, or be certain a violation has or will occur. When in doubt, the better course of action is to report.
What not to Report to Ureport: Report emergencies to 911. This reporting service also does not include employment concerns that are not legal or policy violations, purely student concerns, or issues for which the University is not responsible. Of course, that does not mean to ignore such concerns--for these, and other such issues, see “Other Reporting Options and Contacts.” Again, if you are uncertain, the better course of action is to report.
Your Obligations as a Reporter: University employees are expected to report good faith concerns about possible violation of any policy, law, rule, regulation, contract or grant governing any University activity, and are expected to be truthful and cooperative in the University's investigation of allegations. Knowingly making false reports can lead to discipline.
How to Use Ureport: Ureport is available seven days a week,
24 hours a day.
On the Web, enter information into requested fields and submit it. By phone, you are greeted by a trained interviewer who documents your concerns. You don’t have to give your name, and the call or transaction is not recorded. A report number will be assigned, which you will need when you check back. Then the information will be relayed to the appropriate University office to investigate your concern. Using the report number, you may call or e-mail to follow up or add more information and remain anonymous.
More Information: For more information on University reporting requirements and processes, see the University’s Policy and Procedures for Reporting and Addressing Concerns of Misconduct.
 The home page for Ureport has much more information and resources
about confidential reporting. www.Ureport.ethicspoint.com
(back to top)
Reporting Options for Students
Most student concerns should be raised directly with the responsible
University office associated with that issue. Examples include issues
relating to the behavior or welfare or that of another student,
housing, financial aid, academic misconduct, and other student affairs
issues. A list of offices and resources to contact with student
concerns is at http://www.osa.umn.edu/studentconcerns/
If you are a student employee and have a concern connected with your job, use the three reporting options listed above. These options are also appropriate if you have a concern about illegal conduct involving University faculty, staff, volunteers, or other University representatives; or any other concerns about the safety of University facilities.
(back to top) |
Return
to: U of M Home
