Introduction:
Duquesne University has a responsibility for
the stewardship of its resources and the public
and private support that enables it to pursue
its mission. Duquesne University is committed
to compliance with the laws and regulations
to which it is subject and to promulgating University
policies and procedures to interpret and apply
them in the University setting. Laws, regulations,
policies and procedures strengthen and promote
ethical practices and ethical treatment of the
members of the University community and those
who conduct business with the University.
The University has in place a system of internal
controls and operating procedures that are intended
to detect and prevent or deter improper activities.
However, even the best systems of internal control
cannot provide absolute safeguards against waste,
fraud, abuse and other irregularities.
As members of the Duquesne University community,
all employees are responsible for sustaining
the highest ethical standards of the University,
and of the broader community in which we function.
As such, employees are encouraged to report
any violations of laws, regulations and University
policies and procedures, as well as the University’s
Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, http://www.hr.duq.edu/employment/employpolicies.html,
which come to their attention. Inappropriate
activity can range from clearly illegal activity
(such as the theft of University funds) to activity
that is lawful but unethical (such as divulging
confidential information or the unauthorized
signing on behalf of the University). Disciplinary
actions for proven violations, or for improper
retaliation against anyone who reports possible
violations, will be determined on a case-by-case
basis and may include actions up to and including
termination of employment.
Reporting Suspected Violations And
Confidentiality:
To report a suspected violation of laws, regulations,
University Policies and Procedures, or the University’s
Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, employees
are encouraged to do one of the following:
1. Report to Management - Violations may be
reported initially through standard management
channels, beginning with the immediate supervisor.
If for any reason it is not appropriate to report
suspected violations to the immediate supervisor
(e.g., the suspected violation is by the supervisor)
individuals may go to a higher level of management
within their school or division.
2. Complaints related to discrimination and
sexual harassment should be reported to the
Affirmative Action Officer. Complaints or disputes
related to non-discriminatory issues between
an employee and the supervisor or other university
representative should be reported to the Office
of Human Resource Management. Because of the
potential for abuse, as well as the possibility
of serious personal and professional consequences
resulting from such allegations, complaints
made under these categories may not be anonymous.
Personal contact with the complainant will insure
a more efficient and effective investigation.
3. Other Report Options For Violations Related
To Mismanagement of University Resources –
this would include but not be limited to: theft,
waste or misuse of university financial resources
or property, fraud, or neglect of fiscal responsibilities.
To the extent that reporting suspected violations
to management is not feasible or appropriate,
the University has established two additional
reporting methods by which violations may be
reported in a confidential and anonymous manner:
• Violations may be reported via the web
at http://www.ethicspoint.com.
This site is operated independently of the University
to help ensure user confidentiality and, if
desired, anonymity.
• Violations may be reported via the University’s
ethics reporting hotline by calling toll-free
1-866-294-8662. This hotline is also operated
independently of the University to help ensure
confidentiality and, if desired, anonymity.
All reports of suspected violations may be
made confidentially and, if desired, even anonymously,
although the more information provided, the
easier it is to investigate the reports.
University Response:
The University is committed to investigating
and taking necessary corrective actions for
all suspected violations that are reported.
All complaints of suspected violations will
be confidentially reported to at least two appropriate
senior University officials for investigation
and resolution.
In order to protect the integrity of the investigative
process, in no instance will a University official
who is specifically named in the complaint be
the recipient of the complaint.
Upon completing all necessary investigations
and resolutions, the University will provide
routine reports of proven violations to the
Board of Directors.
