Ethics HOTLine-- Confidential Reporting Method
In keeping with our ethical standard of doing the right thing, all UTB/TSC employees and students have a personal and professional obligation to report activities that appear to violate financial mission statements, accounting or auditing irregularities, illegal or fraudulent activities, conflict of interest or dishonest or unethical conduct, violations or the institution's code of conduct, or violations of other laws, rules, or regulations.
UT System has required each institution to establish a confidential way for employees to report instances of suspected non-compliance outside the normal chain of command in a manner that preserves confidentiality and assures non-retaliation. We have contracted an Ethics Hotline, a 24-hour, 7-day telephone and online service staffed by professionals who will take reports, and assure the employee's anonymity. Employees can make reports to the Ethics Hotline by calling 1-877-UTB-3999 (1-877-882-3999) or online at www.tnwinc.com/utb.
The University has also established an on-campus telephone number for individuals wishing to ask questions relating to the University's compliance program. The telephone number is 956-882-7800 and is answered every business day. If any person would like to discuss any issues, a confidential meeting can be arranged.
You may also report suspected fraud, waste, and abuse to the State Auditor’s Office Hotline at 1-800-TX-AUDIT (1-800-892-8348). The State Auditor’s Office provides additional information at its website, http://sao.fraud.state.tx.us.
The important thing to remember is that UTB/TSC, its employees and students must be protected against incidents of noncompliance. Under normal circumstances, this can be accomplished by immediately reporting instances of noncompliance to supervisors. In unusual situations, they can be reported to the Ethics Hotline.
No UTB/TSC employee shall take any disciplinary or retaliatory action against any individual for, in good faith, reporting, or causing to be reported, suspected wrongdoing, or for assisting in an unauthorized investigation of alleged wrongdoing. The prohibition against disciplinary action does not extend to disciplinary action for self-reported violations.