Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning

Letter from the Commissioner of Higher Education

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning expects responsible and ethical behavior for all members of the university system. Each member of our university community is an important part of this commitment.

I ask for your help in promoting an ethical and safe environment in everything we do. We are responsible for our own individual actions and choices and we may also be in positions to observe the impact of decisions beyond our control.

While I believe unethical actions do not characterize our Board, staff or university family, it is important to have effective methods of reporting activities that we may feel are inappropriate. The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Ethics Line is a phone and Internet-based reporting system to assist with this effort.

Managed by the company EthicsPoint, the Ethics Line provides easy ways to report, discreetly and confidentially, any activities that may involve criminal, unethical, or otherwise inappropriate behavior that violates the Policies & Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Ethics Line is a reporting tool to assist those working in the university system to address fraud, abuse, misconduct, and other violations, while helping to cultivate a positive environment. The system is built to protect the identity of the reporter and provide a formal mechanism for investigation, follow-up and response. You may file a report through the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Ethics Line on this web site or by telephoning toll-free 877-310-0424.

The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Ethics Line is not a substitute for existing reporting channels already established by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. This service is provided as an additional means of reporting, especially when maintaining the reporter's confidentiality is important. I encourage you to continue resolving issues or disputes through established communication channels first, whenever possible.

However, when those channels are not available or when there is a need to maintain confidentiality, please know that the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Ethics Line will provide an additional channel. When used wisely, it is a valuable tool that will help ensure that we continue to maintain the high ethical standards we have all come to expect.

Sincerely,

Dr. Al Rankins

Commissioner of Higher Education

See the EthicsPoint FAQ's for more information.

To Make a Report

You may use either of the following two methods to submit a report:

  • Select the "Make a Report" link at the top of this web page.
  • OR
  • Dial toll-free, within the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and Canada:

After you complete your report you will be assigned a unique code called a "report key." Write down your report key and password and keep them in a safe place. After 5-6 business days, use your report key and password to check your report for feedback or questions.