Using USU’s Hotline Reporting System to Report Suspected Misconduct & Non-compliance

The purpose of USU's Hotline Reporting System is to help protect the University Community, including its students, employees, visitors and assets. The hotline provides a way to report suspected noncompliance with USU policy or other governing laws or regulations, particularly when other methods of reporting may be unavailable or otherwise inappropriate or ineffective under the circumstances. The Hotline allows anonymous reporting, helps promote confidentiality, and provides safeguards against retaliation.

Good-faith reports of regulatory or policy non-compliance will be reviewed and, if appropriate, investigated and resolved.

Complaints that should not be reported using the Hotline

The USU Hotline Reporting System is designed to address issues of noncompliance. General employee complaints and grievances should be directed to the employee’s supervisor and/or USU Human Resources. General student complaints and grievances should be directed to the dean of their academic discipline and the office of student conduct and community standards.

For example, complaints concerning performance evaluations, work assignments, wages or merit raises should be directed to the employee’s supervisor and/or human resources. Academic grievances unrelated to compliance, such as complaints involving grades, credits, or registration should be directed to the student’s instructor and/or the office of the registrar. Grievances related to academic freedom or tenure and promotion should be filed directly with the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee.

When these or similar issues are reported using the USU Hotline, they will be initially assessed by the Hotline Administration Team and will normally be referred to the responsible unit for further action, which may include filing of grievances under existing policies or other reporting forms required by the units.

Appropriate Uses of the Hotline

If you are uncomfortable reporting suspected compliance violations through normal reporting lines, as outlined at Addressing Suspected Misconduct & Non-Compliance - or if other direct internal resolution mechanisms have not resolved a compliance issue - you can and should report suspected misconduct and compliance violations by using the USU Hotline Reporting System. USU does not tolerate any form of retaliation against those who report in good faith issues of regulatory or policy non-compliance.

Anonymous reporting is allowed through the Hotline. When a report is made anonymously the University will strive to protect your identity and the confidentiality of the information provided to the extent reasonable and as permitted by applicable law and policy. If a report is made anonymously, please know that the relevant unit will review the report and, if appropriate, investigate based on the information contained in the report.