Office of Institutional Compliance and Risk Management

Employees may make an anonymous report by using the Anonymous Reporting Form.

The establishment of this additional reporting mechanism does not take the place of reporting misconduct to your supervisor or any senior University official, but it provides an additional avenue of reporting and satisfies the University’s obligation for compliance with both federal and state law pertaining to the Whistleblower Act.

Commitment:

Benedictine University relies on its faculty and staff to conduct business legally and in accordance with established policies and procedures. While the internal controls and procedures are to discourage and prevent improper conduct, every employee is responsible to report any illegal, unethical, or improper activities. Should you become aware of any act or omission where you feel violates the law or University policies or procedures, we urge you to speak with your supervisor, any senior University official or Human Resources. In situations where reporting through regular channels may not be comfortable or otherwise inappropriate, please complete the report by clicking on the Anonymous Reporting Form. This confidential reporting tool supplements, but does not replace or superseded existing reporting methods.

To Make an Anonymous Online Report:

You may file a report to Benedictine University via this link Anonymous Reporting Form. Reports submitted will be handled as promptly and confidentially as feasible. Benedictine University is committed to safeguarding the confidentiality of individuals who submit reports and desire to remain anonymous. However, please be aware that it may not be feasible for the University to complete its investigation and follow-up on certain types of reports if you choose to remain anonymous.

Benedictine University Whistleblower Protection Policy prohibits any form of retaliation against you for making a good faith report or inquiry about potential violations of applicable laws, rules or regulations or University policies.

Categories

Academic affairs: Academic Misconduct, Credential Misrepresentation, Improper Faculty-Student Relationship

Academic Misconduct – Any form of unethical behavior that violates the integrity of the academic process, such as bestowing or seeking academic favors or advancements on the basis of friendship or gifts, concealing conflicts of interest, or deliberate failure to meet professional obligations.

Credential Misrepresentation – Theft of forgery of titles, diplomas, transcripts, grades or other official documents represented by an individual as his or her own.

Improper Faculty-Student Relationship – A Faulty-Student Relationship which causes or may cause the student to fear the threat of reprisal, intimidation or coercion in any sense.

Accounting & Financial: Accounting and Financial, Gifts, Improper Supplier or Contractor Activity.

Accounting and Financial – Accounting/auditing irregularities or misstatement, improper financial reporting, theft or misappropriation of University assets, falsification of timesheets, embezzlement, fraud, internal control issues and all other financial issues.

Gifts – The giving, receiving or solicitation of direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts, favors, loans, advances, special discounts or services in excess of $50.00, which could be reasonably interpreted as an effort to influence a business relationship or decision. Bribes or kickbacks.

Improper Supplier or Contractor Activity – Supplier or contractor activity in violation of University’s policies and procedures, improper selection based on personal gain, improper negotiation or diversion of contracts.

Athletics: Booster or Alumni Activities, Fraudulent Activities, Gender Equity/Title IX, NCAA Violations

Booster or Alumni Activities – Misconduct involving University student athletes, staff or programs and activities of athletic boosters or alumni.

Fraudulent Activities – Activities to influence the outcome of sports activities, organized gambling.

Gender Equity/Title IX – Any concern about equitable opportunities and resources for men’s and women’s sports and facilities under the requirements of Title IX.

NCAA Violations – Violations of NCAA, or other conferences or University rules for any University sponsored sport. Example areas include recruiting, eligibility, financial aid, extra benefits for student athletes.

Employee Relations & Human Resources: Conflict of Interest, Discrimination/EEOC/ADA, Employee Misconduct, Harassment, Nepotism, Sexual Harassment, Substance Abuse, Retaliation, Violence or Threat

Conflict of Interest – A situation where an outside activity or interest of an employee or the outcome of an activity or decision serves the personal, professional or economic interest of the employee, or interferes with the employee’s performance of duties on behalf of the University and is in conflicts with the interest of the University.

Discrimination/EEOC/ADA – Discriminatory treatment of an employee based on his or her race, color, religion, sex (or pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual preference of gender identity, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Failure to provide reasonable accommodation to an employee with a disability or with a record of a disability, or who is perceived to have a disability.

Employee Misconduct – Any conduct in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct, or disability benefit or workers’ compensation fraud, falsification of health insurance or any records related to employee benefits including tuition benefits, sick or other paid time-off programs. Improper and/or excessive use of work time for personal business, interest, advantage or gain.

Harassment – Contact Benedictine University Campus Safety if you are threatened or feel unsafe. Unsolicited remarks, gestures, or physical contact; display or circulation of written material or pictures negative or offensive to gender or to racial, ethnic or religious groups.

Nepotism – Direct (or indirect without prior approval) supervisory relationship over an employee who is also a relative.

Retaliation – Interference with the good faith reporting of suspected or actual wrongful conduct. Retaliation includes harassment or any adverse employment, academic or educational consequence, as a result of making a report.

Sexual Harassment – Unwelcome sexual advance, requests for sexual favors, and all other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual or otherwise offensive nature, especially where submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or the basis for employment-related decisions affecting the employee. Conduct which has the purpose of effect of interfering with an employee’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.

Substance Abuse – Includes legal and illegal drugs and alcohol.

Violence or Threat – Contact Benedictine University Police if you are threatened or feel unsafe. Threats, implied threats, threatening behavior, acts of violence, possession of a dangerous or deadly weapon or any related conduct that is disruptive.

Information Technology: Data/Privacy/Integrity, Malicious/Inappropriate Use of Technology, Misuse of Resources, Offensive of Inappropriate Communication, Software Piracy/Intellectual Property Infringement

Data/Privacy/Integrity – Unauthorized disclosure of personally indefinable financial information of students, employees, faculty and other third parties that we possess. Unlawful and unauthorized disclosure or use of sensitive information, including educational records (FERPA) and protected health information (HIPAA).

Malicious/Inappropriate Use of Technology – Use of University’s Information Technology that violates the Acceptable Use Policy, including sending, storing, printing, or soliciting email, messages, files or programs that contain fraudulent, harassing, racist, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate verbiage, visual or audio content.

Misuse of Resources – Improper or unauthorized use of University resources for personal gain.

Offensive of Inappropriate Communication – The use of University business systems and equipment to create any offensive messages, including those of sexual or racial nature and those that are otherwise inappropriate.

Software Piracy/Intellectual Property Infringement – Unauthorized use of copyrights or licensed software, also includes the use of unauthorized software on University owned systems.

Research: Animal and Human Subject Issues, Falsification of Research Effort, Research Grant Misconduct or Misappropriation of Costs, Scientific Misconduct

Animal and Human Subject Issues – Inappropriate use of humans or animals involved in research.

Falsification of Research Effort – Falsification of efforts expended on projects.

Research Grant Misconduct or Misappropriation of Costs – Unallowable or questionable expenditures or cost transfers to government grants, contracts or other agreements. Any expenditures or cost transfers that may be in violation of OMB Circular A-21.

Scientific Misconduct – Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or other practices that seriously deviate from those that are commonly accepted within the scientific community for proposing, conducting or reporting research.

Risk and Safety Matters: Confidentiality/Privacy: Environmental and Safety Matters, Public Safety.

Confidentiality/Privacy – Unauthorized disclosure of personal identifiable financial information of students, employees, faculty and other third parties that we possess. Unlawful and unauthorized disclosure or use of sensitive information including educational records (FERPA) and protected health information (HIPAA).

Environmental and Safety Matters – Failure to meet the requirements of any applicable law, rule or regulation relating to the environment, working conditions or workplace safety, including, without limitations, regulations promulgated by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and similar agencies in other jurisdictions.

Campus Safety – Do not use this site to report events presenting an immediate threat to life or property. Reports submitted through this tool may not receive an immediate response. If you require emergency assistance at the Lisle Campus immediately contact Campus Safety at extension 6122 or call 911.

If your report concerns a possible violation of the Academic Honesty Policy by a student, please do not use the Anonymous Reporting Form, but instead make your report in the manner stated in the Academic Honesty Policy. The Anonymous Reporting Form is not to be used for possible violations of the Academic Honesty Policy.