Reporting Fraud or Misappropriations:
All University employees or community members are encouraged to report possible fraudulent or related misconduct. Any individual suspected of fraud or related misconduct should not be confronted. Employees or community members should report their concern(s) to both the Chief Public Safety Officer and the Vice President of People and Culture or confidentially through the online “SHU Complaints” system.
Reporting potential fraud or misuse of University resources through the online “SHU Complaint” process can be made confidentially or anonymously. The University cannot guarantee the whistleblower’s confidentially; however, the University will keep the whistleblower’s identity confidential, unless (1) the person agrees to be identified, (2) identification is necessary to allow the University’s Public Safety Department to investigate or respond effectively, (3) identification is required by law; or (4) the person accused of fraud or misconduct is entitled to the information as a matter of legal right in disciplinary proceedings.
Anonymous whistleblowers must provide sufficient corroborating evidence to justify the commencement of an investigation. An investigation of unspecified wrongdoing or broad allegations will not be undertaken without verifiable evidentiary support. Since the University cannot interview anonymous whistleblowers, evaluating the allegation’s credibility may be difficult and; therefore, less likely to initiate an investigation.
The University views exposing fraud or misconduct as a service, and consistent with the State of Michigan’s Whistleblowers’ Protection Act, will not jeopardize employment. To encourage the reporting of improper governmental actions, employees are protected from retaliation by the provisions of state law.
Investigative Responsibility
The University will investigate any reported fraudulent or misuse of University resources or property by faculty, staff or students. The University’s Public Safety Department or Human Resource Office is responsible for conducting investigations of all alleged fraudulent or dishonest conduct. University employees should not initiate their own investigations, since such actions may compromise ensuing investigations.
The Chief Public Safety Officer and/or the Vice President of People and Culture shall promptly notify the University President of the reported allegation(s) and consult with other University officials deemed necessary or appropriate. Cases involving possible criminal law violations will be turned over to local or state law enforcement for investigation. If requested, the University’s Public Safety Department or the Human Resource Office can provide assistance for on-going police investigations.
The results of the University’s investigation into fraudulent or related misconduct will only be disclosed to University employees having a legitimate need to know in order to perform their job duties and responsibilities. If University determines that fraudulent or dishonest conduct occurred, the appropriate University official(s) will initiate disciplinary action in a manner consistent with applicable University policy.
If the University’s concludes the allegations were unsubstantiated, it will provide the whistleblower, if known, an explanation justifying its determination.
To file a complaint, please complete the form above at right. The complete University Whistleblower Policy can be found here.