The university is committed to maintaining a culture of transparency, integrity, and accountability, and encourages all members of the university community to come forward with any concerns they may have.
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When a member of the UD community has a concern to report including but not limited to the following, they should report them promptly:
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Comprises the physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of students, faculty or staff
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Bullying or harassment of students, faculty or staff
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Unlawful acts (e.g., theft, bribery, or fraud)
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Failure to comply with a legal regulations
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Endangers an individual’s health and safety
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Risks or damages the environment
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Actions against financial regulations or policies
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Covers up wrongdoing
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Improper conduct
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Other actions
Personal grievances are not covered by the whistleblowing policy. Personal grievances should follow the procedures set out in policies FP5.11 Faulty and Professional Staff Grievance Policy or S6.20 Student Grievance Policy.
Reports can be made to any of the following channels:
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Direct supervisor or department Manager
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Human Resources Department
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Department of Student Services
Reports can be made verbally or in writing (preferred), and anonymity will be respected to the extent possible, depending on the nature of the concern and applicable laws. This policy encourages the UD community to put their name to an allegation. Concerns expressed anonymously are much less powerful, but they will be considered at the discretion of UD. In exercising the discretion, the factors to be taken into account would include the seriousness of the issues raised, the credibility of the concern and the likelihood of confirming the allegation from other attributable sources.
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Protection Against Retaliation
The university prohibits retaliation against individuals who make good faith reports of wrongdoing. Any form of retaliation against whistleblowers will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination or expulsion from the university. No disciplinary or other action will be taken against a whistleblower who makes an allegation in the reasonable belief that it is in the Universitys’, students’, faculty and staff’s best interest to do so even if the allegation is not substantiated by an investigation. However, disciplinary action may be taken against a whistleblower who makes an allegation without reasonable belief that it is in the Univesritys’ students, faculty and staff’s best interest to do so (e.g., making an allegation frivolously, maliciously or for personal gain).
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Investigation Process
Reports of wrongdoing will be promptly and thoroughly investigated by an internal investigation committee of selected university officials by the President. Investigations will be conducted with fairness, impartiality, and confidentiality to the extent possible. Depending on the type, severity and the results of the internal investigation of the allegation, the case may be referred to other authorities including the police, auditors or other appropriate authority. Whistleblowers will be informed of the outcome of the investigation to the extent permitted by law.
Confidentiality
The university will make every effort to protect the confidentiality of whistleblowers and the information provided, subject to legal requirements and the need to conduct a thorough investigation.