May 3, 2006
Dear
Rutgers Faculty and Staff:
All of us share responsibility for ensuring that the university
conducts its financial transactions in ways that are ethical,
honest and reflect sound fiduciary practices. Because the
university takes this obligation seriously, employees are
encouraged to report any suspected misconduct to their supervisor
or to the appropriate university office. Information on submitting
a report can be found on the Reporting Financial Concerns
Web page, www.financialconcerns.rutgers.edu.
Rutgers recently added another option for reporting questionable
financial practices. The university has contracted with EthicsPoint,
an independent, third-party vendor, to provide a confidential
and anonymous telephone and Internet system for bringing financial
concerns to the attention of university leadership.
Confidential reporting systems are now common in universities
across the country and, although Rutgers is not required to
maintain a hotline, the audit committee of the Rutgers Board
of Governors requested this resource be made available to
employees who may feel uncomfortable using internal channels.
EthicsPoint specializes in providing such services to universities.
New Jersey’s Conscientious Employee Protection Act prohibits
retaliation against any employee who reports unlawful activity.
Reports can be made through EthicsPoint’s easy-to-use,
24-hour Web site at www.fc.ethicspoint.com
or by phone in both English and Spanish at 800 445-7079. The
TTY number for the hearing impaired is 866 294-9572. All reports
and tips will be reviewed promptly by the appropriate university
officials, who will implement any necessary actions to address
identified problems. For more information about the EthicsPoint
hotline, please see the FAQs at www.financialconcerns.rutgers.edu/epfaq.html.
Your commitment to integrity and honesty is an important element
in maintaining an ethical and secure workplace environment
for everyone at Rutgers. Your help in calling attention to
unethical or irregular financial practices is greatly appreciated.
Philip Furmanski
Jeffrey
Apfel
Executive Vice President for
Senior Vice President for Administration
Academic Affairs
& Chief Financial Officer