Fraud and Abuse Reporting System
Policy on Reporting Suspected
Fraud and Abuse
Members of the
Barnard College community are expected to maintain ethical
standards in the performance of their responsibilities. These
standards are particularly critical in the business and
financial operations of the College. To this end, the College
conducts regular audits, and has established effective internal
controls. It is also important that members of the community
are made aware of the ways in which they can report instances of
suspected financial wrongdoing such as billing fraud, expense
account abuse, kickbacks, or forgery.
In addition, in
response to highly publicized instances of financial abuse in
the corporate world, the Federal Government has passed
legislation requiring companies to implement a series of
administrative and governance changes to increase financial
accountability and oversight. Though colleges are not subject
to this legislation, Barnard and many other colleges have
adopted the central elements of the law. An important aspect of
the legislation is the requirement to adopt effective ways for
employees to report instances of financial misconduct.
How can I report suspected financial misconduct?
Any member of
the Barnard College community who in good faith believes that
another member of the community has engaged in financial or
other practices that may violate College policies or procedures,
or that may be a violation of law or ethical standards is
encouraged to contact the Controller, Milbank Hall, Room 15, or
they may speak directly with their supervisor or area
vice-president.
Information
regarding the activities of the Controller may be reported
directly to the Vice President for Finance, Milbank Hall, Room
101 or to the General Counsel, Milbank Hall, Room 110a.
Information
involving the President or any other Vice President or other
officer of the College, may be directed to the attention of the
Audit Committee, c/o the Secretary to the Board of Trustees,
Milbank Hall, Room 109.
In addition,
the College has developed an alternative method of reporting
instances of suspected wrongdoing, fraud, waste and abuse. The
email address
barnard@safe-mail.net has been established as another way to
report instances of suspected wrongdoing, fraud, waste and
abuse. You do not have to reveal your identity in your email,
though it is strongly encouraged so that we may follow up on the
information you have provided. Please note that
barnard@safe-mail.net is not intended to be the primary
means of reporting suspected misconduct. Instead, you are
encouraged to use normal reporting methods described above.
What if I only suspect fraud or abuse?
We understand
that fraud and abuse can be discovered through information
provided by people who do not know all of the relevant facts and
circumstances of a particular situation. That is why we will,
to the best of our ability, properly investigate all credible
reports of misconduct in a fair and impartial manner.
Can I be penalized for reporting a suspected problem?
No one at the
College may retaliate against or take any adverse action against
a person who in good faith reports suspected fraud or abuse.
Any person, however, who knowingly files a false report will be
subject to the appropriate disciplinary process.
What happens once a report is made?
Barnard will
investigate all reports and, to the extent that relevant and
accurate information is received and confirmed, appropriate
action will be taken. |
