Whistleblower Policy : University of Dayton, Ohio

Whistleblower Policy

Purpose

To encourage individuals to report and protect those individuals who, in good faith, report observed or suspected misconduct or noncompliance with state or federal laws or University policies or procedures.

Scope

This policy applies to all University of Dayton faculty, staff, students, volunteers, visiting scholars, contractors, visiting researchers, consultants and other individuals who engage with the University.

Policy History

Effective Date: June 28, 2016

Approval: December 1, 2025

Policy History:

Approved in original form: June 28, 2016
Approved as amended: December 1, 2025

Maintenance of Policy: Vice President for Safety, Audit, Risk & Compliance, Division of Safety, Audit, Risk & Compliance

Policy

The University of Dayton is committed to the highest ethical standards of conduct. To help maintain those standards, the University seeks the help of the University community and its visitors to raise concerns and report in good faith any activity that an individual reasonably considers to be unethical, illegal, fraudulent, or in direct violation of University policy. Individuals should report such concerns, regardless of whether or not they are personally involved in the matter.

If the reporting individual is a University employee, that employee should contact their supervisor, Dean, or Vice President. If this is not possible, the employee will also be able to discuss their concern with Human Resources, Provost’s Office or the University’s Internal Auditor. All other members of the University community should report such concerns to Human Resources, Provost’s Office, Student Development or the Internal Auditor.

Individuals are encouraged to use the reporting options with which they feel most comfortable. While some individuals may want to report anonymously (see Anonymous Reporting below), open reporting may allow for the University to investigate matters more fully.

The whistleblower is not responsible for investigating the activity or for determining fault or corrective measures; appropriate officials are charged with the responsibility of investigating all reported concerns.

Confidentiality

The confidentiality of the reporting individual will be maintained as much as possible; however, the identity of the individual may need to be disclosed in the course of the investigation or to comply with the law.

Anonymous Reporting

If an individual wishes to file a report anonymously, they may do so through the University of Dayton’s Privately Speaking Line. The Privately Speaking Line allows individuals to report a concern through a third-party, at www.udayton.ethicspoint.com or 1-855-550-0654. However, the effectiveness of an anonymous report may be limited when an individual has chosen to not be identified and/or insufficient information is provided to perform an investigation.

Retaliation

No individual who raises concerns in good faith through reporting or participating in an investigation of unethical or fraudulent behavior, a violation of law, or University policy or procedures, shall suffer harassment, retaliation or adverse employment and/or academic or educational consequences.

This prohibition of retaliation does not prevent the University from taking appropriate action regarding an individual where that action is not motivated by the fact the individual made a report.

Note that using this Whistleblower Policy in bad faith, i.e., with deliberately false allegations, is also a violation of this policy; any University response (including discipline) to a bad faith report does not constitute retaliation under this policy.

If Retaliation Concerns Arise

Individuals who believe they have suffered retaliation may report it as follows:

Students - Student Development (937-229-3682)

Faculty- Provost’s Office (937-229-5602)

Staff – Human Resources (937-229-2541)

This commitment to preventing retaliation does not preclude the University from addressing performance or behavioral issues with employees as appropriate, even if that individual has participated in a whistleblower protected activity.