Code of Conduct and Ethics

The Code of Conduct and Ethics interprets the University’s Mission Statement as it applies to the everyday decisions, behaviors and actions of those within the Ottawa University Community.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

All members of the Ottawa University Community are responsible for sustaining the highest ethical standards of the University, and of the broader communities in which it functions.  The University values honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility and strives to integrate these values into its teaching, research and business practices.  It is the intent of the Code of Conduct and Ethics to protect academic freedom, a collegial atmosphere, teaching and scholarship; to advance the mission of the University; and to help preserve the highest standard of business dealings.

The Code applies to administration, faculty, staff and students; vendors, contractors, and subcontractors of the University; and to volunteers elected or selected to serve in University positions.  It shall apply to conduct that occurs on University premises, off-campus teaching locations, University sponsored activities, and to off-campus conduct, ostensibly performed under University auspices, that affects the Ottawa University Community and/or the person’s fitness to perform his or her responsibilities.  All persons, regardless of their position, or status within the University or the community, shall be responsible for their conduct throughout their relationship with the University.

UNIVERSITY COMPLIANCE OFFICER

The University Compliance Officer is responsible for overseeing the process by which complaints are investigated within the University.  The University Compliance Officer regularly reports to the President and the Chair of the Board of Trustees the categories of complaints brought forth and makes any recommendations for change.  This position is appointed by the President.

REPORTING IMPROPER CONDUCT

The policies and procedures included in this Handbook and relevant portions of the Faculty or Student Handbooks that are applicable are essential for establishing a caring, Christ-centered community, which integrates faith, learning, and life.  Any questions related to policy should be referred to the University Human Resources Department.

Any person having reason to believe or who reasonably suspects that any member of the Ottawa University Community is engaged in a conduct contrary to any established University policy and/or procedures set forth herein, should report such conduct as quickly as possible after becoming aware of such conduct to their manager, a local unit Officer, the University Compliance Officer, or if preferred, to a source outside the University, by contacting the external confidential Compliance Hotline Service at (866) 943-5787 which operates 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.  (Emergency situations which are an urgent safety or security issue must be made directly to 911.)

If the reported conduct potentially involves management for your location, the disclosure should be made to the University Compliance Officer, or to the external confidential Compliance Hotline service at (866) 943-5787. 

The University Compliance Officer will oversee the prompt and thorough investigation of all reports and will make every effort to protect the identity of the person reporting the improper conduct.  However, the University cannot guarantee confidentiality if identification of the person is necessary to institutional or law enforcement officials for the purposes of investigating the incident.  In accordance with the nature of the complaint and the findings of the investigation, the University will take appropriate, corrective action.

Infractions of any policy or procedure set forth in this Handbook can result in discipline, at the sole discretion of Ottawa University, up to and including unpaid suspension or termination of employment.  In addition, any omission or misrepresentation during the course of an individual’s employment (including but not limited to the application process, information regarding time worked, information associated with paid or unpaid time off, etc.) may result in discipline, up to and including termination of employment.

COMPLIANCE HOTLINE

The Compliance Hotline is an externally managed call center independent of the University, staffed by intake specialist professionals.  Individuals calling the hotline are not required to disclose who they are.  This information is welcomed, however, only if a person wishes to do so.  Calls are not recorded.  The Intake Specialist takes notes of the conversation, summarizes the call, and forwards it to the University Compliance Officer for investigation.  The goal of the hotline, for non-emergency situations, is to have an initial response back from the University in 5 business days so that the caller may call the hotline back for an update to the original call.  The caller is able to do this anonymously using the case number assigned when he/she first called the hotline.  At that time the caller may be asked to provide additional information or to call back at a later date for an update.

RETALIATION

Ottawa University prohibits retaliation in any manner against anyone who, acting in good faith, has reported a suspected violation.  A person feeling retaliated against may file a written complaint with the University Compliance Officer or contact the confidential Compliance Hotline service at (866) 943-5787.  A retaliation complaint that the University, after investigation, reasonably determines to be true will result in disciplinary action, including the possible termination of employment, contractual relationship or other relationship of the offending party with the University, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances.