One of my/our highest priorities at the University of Chicago is to create and support the best possible environment for scholarly activity. Increasingly, the environment is affected by laws, rules and regulations and the Universitys own policies. Each of us is obligated to know what to do and to do what is right. Unfortunately, occasionally an employees actions may be inadvertently or intentionally inappropriate. It is the responsibility of employees who are aware of inappropriate actions to make the University aware so the situation can be properly addressed.

To provide employees a full range of reporting options, the University has instituted a hotline for the reporting of concerns about compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies at the University or misappropriation of University assets, accounting irregularities or fraud. The phone number is 800-971-4317. This hotline service does not replace existing reporting methods. Hotlines like the University's are becoming common at educational institutions. Use of secure complaint mechanisms such as hotlines is encouraged by federal legislation, the National Association of College and University Business Officers, and the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. This program also has the support of the Audit Committee of the Universitys Board of Trustees.

Again, this hotline service does not replace existing reporting methods. The University strongly encourages members of the University community to report concerns through normal lines of communication. Routine discussion with one's supervisor is the preferred method to address concerns. The University provides other resources to discuss issues. A guide to these can be found at http://adminet.uchicago.edu/adminpols/pols-index.shtml or you may call Glenn Klinksiek (2-3963), Bill Hogan (2-1940) or Gwynne Dilday (2-6889) for guidance. If these are not satisfactory, you may call the University hotline. The Universitys Whistleblower policy U103 prohibits retaliation against any employee who, in good faith, reports an instance of suspected wrongdoing or participates in an investigation of possible wrongdoing.

The hotline is not intended for reporting employee grievances, such as complaints concerning working conditions, performance evaluations, hours of work, wages, or merit raises, and only compliance-related issues will be investigated. Please contact UHRM Employee/Labor Relations at 2-8905 to discuss any grievance you may have.

The compliance hotline operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can report information aonymously to a trained professional who will ask you questions in order to obtain enough information to investigate and follow-up. A report will be provided to Internal Audit and Legal Counsel within one business day of your call. All reports are investigated and addressed as appropriate.

If you would like further information about the hotline, please contact Glenn Klinksiek, Assistant Vice President for Risk Management, Audit and Safety at 2-3693 or gklinksi@uchicago.edu.

Thank you.