Inside UCR

UCR's 2023 Annual Whistleblower Message

June 28, 2023
Kiersten Boyce
Associate Vice Chancellor/Chief Compliance Officer
June 28, 2023

As UCR’s Locally Designated Official (LDO) and Chief Compliance Officer, I am writing with UC Riverside’s annual email notification about whistleblower reporting.  This email also has important information about your obligation to report certain matters.  

Whistleblower Reporting.  The University of California is committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct in the fulfillment of its education, research, public service and patient care mission. The University’s Whistleblower Policy provides multiple avenues for people to report potential employee misconduct. Faculty and staff are encouraged to bring forward concerns about possible improper activities directly to their supervisor, department head, or me (as LDO), or to make reports through the whistleblower hotline. 

 

The systemwide whistleblower hotline is independently-operated to receive calls or web-based reporting from faculty, staff, students or members of the public. The hotline allows for anonymous reporting. This hotline is staffed seven days a week, 24 hours per day and is capable of receiving reports in a number of different languages. Reports can be made through the web-based form at http://universityofcalifornia.edu/hotline or by calling 1-800-403-4744. You may also submit inquiries through the hotline. 

More information about the whistleblower process can be found on the UC Whistleblower website, on UCR’s complaint resolution website, and on posters attached to this message, which will be displayed in various employee areas. The UCR’s whistleblower poster identifies other channels for reporting improper activities, including the California State Auditor, the California Attorney General and federal whistleblower programs.

 

The California Government Code requires every state agency, including the University of California, to annually distribute to its employees a message from the California State Auditor that provides an explanation of the California Whistleblower Protection Act. Please find the 2023 message attached. 

Information about Reporting Obligations. Nearly all UCR employees are mandatory reporters for certain matters. Please make sure you know what you need to report, and how to report it.  (This Mandatory Reporting Poster is also available on our website at https://compliance.ucr.edu/reporting-obligations – please bookmark it.)

 

Your Position & Matter Reported 

Required Action 

If you are a manager, supervisor, faculty, UCPD officer, HR or AP administrator or Title IX professional, and you learn that anyone affiliated with UCR may have experienced conduct prohibited by the UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH Policy) or the UCR Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Complaint and Resolution Policy...è  

 

then you must promptly contact UCR’s Office of Title IX, Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action (Title IX/EOAA).  Filing a report online is encouraged. 

Unless you are a Confidential Resource (such as the Ombuds or a CARE advocate), if you learn that a student may have experienced Prohibited Conduct under the SVSH Policy...è 

 

then you are required to promptly notify the Title IX/EOAA Office.  Please complete the online report form or email titleix@ucr.edu    

If you are a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and you become aware of a report or allegation that a Clery Act crime is alleged to have occurred on UCR’s Clery Act geography...è

report to UCPD.  Please visit UCR’s Clery Act webpage for further guidance. 

If you are a Mandated Reporter under CANRA and you become aware of actual, reported or suspected child abuse or neglect occurring on UCR’s campus or at an official UCR activity or program...è  

then you are required to make a verbal external report to local law enforcement, child protective services, or county welfare departments AND no later than 36 hours after the verbal report, 

  • fill-out Form SS 8572 and submit it to the agency with whom a verbal report was made; AND 
  • make an internal report (may be anonymous) to a supervisor or through the University Compliance Hotline at (800) 403-4744 or online.  

If you receive a report of or are aware of violence in the workplace...è

 

then any perceived violations of the policy are to be reported to the next-in-line supervisor or to an academic administrator.  See Section V of the Violence Prevention in the UCR Community Policy.  

 

If you are a manager or supervisor (including a Department Chair or Dean) and you receive a report or complaint of Abusive Conduct… è 

then you are to notify and consult with:  

  1. Employee & Labor Relations, if the complaint is about a staff member; 
  1. the VPAR, if the complaint is about a Senate faculty member; or 
  1. the Academic Personnel Office, if the complaint is about academic personnel (other than a Senate faculty member). 

 

If you are a manager or supervisor and receive a report or information that alleges an improper activity relating directly to UCR such as theft or misuse of University property; fraud; economic waste; gross misconduct, incompetence or inefficiency; or any condition that may significantly threaten the health or safety of employees or the public...è  

then you must elevate it to the LDO by reporting online via the UC Hotline or email ldo@ucr.edu. 

 

When in doubt, refer the matter to the LDO so that it can be assessed.  Visit UCR’s whistleblower website for guidance.   

Thank you for your attention to these important elements of our ethics and compliance program.