The Office of Compliance and Audit Services

The University of North Carolina System Hotline

The University of North Carolina is a public, multi-campus university dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. The mission of the University is to discover, create, transmit, and apply knowledge to address the needs of individuals and society. To help achieve its mission, the University of North Carolina System is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards and conducting our operations honestly, honorably, and legally. We are committed to institutional integrity and compliance. Our priorities are to preserve an environment that promotes integrity, scholarly activity, and workplace productivity.

To promote an ethical workplace culture, all faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to report known or suspected misconduct committed by employees, board members, outside contractors, or vendors. Each member of our community has a responsibility to follow university policies and procedures, adhere to applicable laws and regulations, and speak up when we see or suspect misconduct. If you have concerns about possible unethical behavior or noncompliance with state or federal laws and/or Board of Governors policy, we encourage you to speak to your supervisor, director, department chair or other central personnel to solicit their support and help.

Each institution within the UNC System has the capacity to receive allegations, and most have a hotline managed by that institution. If your concern or comment is about a specific institutional matter, your issue will be more quickly addressed by starting with that institution’s hotline. However, if you wish to use the UNC System Hotline, please feel free to do so through the UNC System Hotline link provided below.

Chapter 300 of the UNC Policy Manual specifically highlights requirements and supporting regulations applicable to all employees. Other chapters of the UNC policy may apply to other circumstances to which you have a concern. Please review The Code and UNC Policy Manual.

In addition to UNC policy, the following General Statutes provide related policies and requirements:

• NCGS 143B-920 - Department heads to report possible violations of criminal statutes involving misuse of State property to State Bureau of Investigation
• NCGS Chapter 126, Article 14 - Protection for Reporting Improper Government Activities

For examples of the types of acts to report through the hotline, whether known or suspected, please see the What to Report list. This list is not all-inclusive, but provides examples of the types of acts you should report.

The Office of Compliance and Audit Services at the UNC System Office is responsible for triaging all reports received through the UNC System Hotline and forwarding to the chief audit officer at the respective institution or to the appropriate offices within the System Office and/or the respective institution.

Reporting Options

When reporting known or suspected misconduct, you do not have to provide your name or contact information; however, having this information may assist us in following up on your concern. We will strive to keep all information submitted confidential to the greatest extent possible; however, due to the nature of the concern reported, the source may be obvious to those who are questioned and/or investigated. Nonetheless, NCGS Chapter 126, Article 14 provides protection to employees for reporting improper government activities.

Several options are available for reporting known or suspected misconduct. You are encouraged to report your concerns:

• To your supervisor or department head
• To an official at your institution
• To the hotline managed at your institution
• To the UNC System Office of Human Resources 919-445-0491
• Directly to the UNC System Office of Compliance and Audit Services at 919-962-4610
• Directly to the UNC System Office through an online submission
• Directly to the State Auditor’s Office: http://www.ncauditor.net/hottips/ or call 800-730-8477

 

Reporting of Sexual Misconduct

The UNC System hotline is not designed to receive reports of the following: sexual misconduct, relationship violence (dating violence or domestic violence), stalking, child abuse, and/or child sexual abuse. Additionally, the UNC System hotline is not an avenue for the dispatch of emergency response services (police, etc.). To better serve you, reports concerning sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and/or stalking or discrimination in violation of University policies should be reported directly to the Title IX Office or the University employee(s) identified in the applicable institutional policy on sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking. A link to each institutions’ relevant web page is below:

Appalachian State University East Carolina University Elizabeth City State University Fayetteville State University NC A&T University NC Central University NC School of Science and Mathematics NC State University UNC Asheville UNC at Chapel Hill UNC Charlotte UNC Greensboro UNC Pembroke UNC School of the Arts UNC Wilmington Western Carolina University Winston-Salem State University

What to Report

This hotline reporting system is not a 911 or emergency service. If you require immediate assistance please contact your local authorities.

The following are examples of acts that should be reported, whether known or suspected. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Fraud

• Theft or misappropriation of funds, supplies, property, or other University resources
• Misuse of University property or resources
• Forgery or alteration of documents
• Unauthorized alteration or manipulation of computer files
• Falsification of reports to management or external agencies
• Authorizing or receiving compensation for hours not worked
• Gifts, bribes, and kickbacks

Waste

• Excessive or unnecessary purchases, e.g., supplies or equipment purchased that are not used in a timely fashion
• Unnecessary spending at fiscal year-end to avoid reversion of funds
• Wasteful or unnecessary use of University resources, e.g., extravagant travel or entertainment expenses

Abuse

• Pursuit of a benefit or advantage in violation of the University’s Conflict of Interest policy
• Distribution of time and effort between obligations to University employment and participation in other activities outside of University employment so as to create conflict of commitment per University policy
• Using University equipment for personal gain
• Directing subordinates to do work that is not related to University work, e.g., requiring subordinates to do personal tasks

Compliance

• Violations of any federal or state laws and regulations
• Violations of the institutional policies and/or UNC Policy
• Any form of retaliation for reporting

Human Resources

• Unlawful statements or actions based on age, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or religion – or any other protected class.
• Persistent statements, conducts or actions that are uninvited, degrading, offensive, humiliating, or intimidating to create an unpleasant or hostile work environment.
• Comments that are not harassing in nature, but are not suitable for the workplace.
• Actions by a non-University employee that may or may not be harassing in nature, but believed to be unsuitable for the workplace.
• Employment decisions, practices, or disciplinary actions that are believed to be unfair regardless of whether they are a result of job performance, changes in business needs, or other business-related decisions.

Public Health and Safety

• Conduct, actions, policies or practices that either violate local, provincial, or federal environmental, health, and safety laws or regulations.
• Conduct, actions, policies or practices that may cause or result in potentially hazardous conditions that impact the environment.
• Conduct, actions, policies or practices that impact the health and safety of staff, faculty, students, visitors or others.

We take all reports through the hotline very seriously. Employees who report acts to the hotline must have a reasonable, good faith basis to make the report.

HOTLINE – REPORT A CONCERN FORM

Institution Hotline Links

Use the appropriate link below or referenced phone number to reach the hotline managed at the individual institution.

Appalachian State University East Carolina University Elizabeth City State University Fayetteville State University NC A&T State University NC Central University NC School of Science and Mathematics NC State University UNC Asheville UNC at Chapel Hill UNC Charlotte UNC Greensboro – Call the Office of Internal Audit at 336-334-5063 UNC Pembroke UNC School of the Arts UNC Wilmington Western Carolina University Winston-Salem State University