UNF Ethics Hotline

While we encourage employees to discuss their concerns with their direct supervisor or members of the Triage workgroup, we wanted to ensure a completely anonymous reporting tool.  UNF has contracted with a separate third party, Lighthouse Services, Inc. to provide a solution for members of the UNF community to report, confidentially and anonymously, any issues of concern or fiscal misconduct to management. By contracting with a separate third party to administer a hotline, it gives UNF the flexibility to provide anonymous reporting.

Lighthouse Services, Inc. is a separate third party that the University contracts with to receive information from a reporter.  Since 1998, Lighthouse Services has been providing confidential, 24-hour reporting services, giving companies the flexibility to provide anonymous reporting that assists in providing an ethical workplace environment.  Lighthouse Services also allows the University to have communications with the reporter while keeping them anonymous.  The reporter can get updates or provide follow-up communications without having to provide their contact information.

Anyone, including full-time and part-time employees, students, vendors and temporary employees can use this hotline service.  You will have the option to provide your contact information, in which case Internal Audit or the lead investigator can follow up with you directly.  Or, you can choose to remain anonymous.  Your anonymity will be protected to the extent possible by the law and Lighthouse will never divulge your identity without your permission.

Professionally trained staff from Lighthouse will take your information, by phone, fax or email and compile into a report for Internal Audit to review.  Reports to the UNF Ethics Hotline can be made in the following ways:

 

Toll Free Hotline: (844) 401-0004 (English) or (800) 216-1288 (Spanish)

 

Fax: (215) 689-3885 (make sure to include UNF's name in the report).

 

Web: Lighthouse Services link

 

E Mail: Lighthouse email address   (make sure to include UNF's name in the report).

 

 

 

The outside contractor (Lighthouse) sends the report to the UNF Office of Internal Auditing:

 

Julia Hann – Internal Auditing (administrator)
Brandon Bergman – Internal Auditing (administrator)

 

Internal Auditing will evaluate the report and determine the most appropriate means for handling the issue.  In some cases, Internal Auditing may need to refer the case to another office for further follow-up or investigation.  

 

Typically, these offices may include:

Daniel Nicolas – Human Resources, Employee and Labor Relations
Marlynn Jones – Office of Equal Opportunity and Inclusion
Joann Campbell – Office of Compliance

 

The lead investigator of the report will update the Lighthouse system, if there are additional questions.  Lighthouse will provide you with a reference number that you will need to check the status of your report or when the issue is closed.

 

 

Fiscal misconduct and related activities should be reported.  This can include, but is not limited to, a broad range of concerns of financial misuse, workplace safety, regulatory compliance, information technology abuse and/or medical research concerns.  Examples of serious issues that might be reported include (but are not limited to) theft and embezzlement, unsafe working conditions, violations of University policy and violations of the law.

 

Financial Matters

Misuse, mismanagement or misappropriate of funds, supplies or any other asset (including equipment).  Accounting irregularities, fraud, theft, donor stewardship, or other financial issues.

 

Regulatory/research and Compliance

Concerns related to grants or research, falsification of documents or reports, athletics and violations of local, state, federal or other regulations.

 

Risk and Safety

Unsafe working conditions, vandalism, environmental issues, theft of University property, personal use of University materials or assets and other risk and safety issues.

 

Information Technology

Software piracy or copyright infringements, data privacy or integrity, inappropriate use of technology.

 

Medical

Medical issues or concerns relating to University medical research, operations or programs.

It depends.  In all cases, the claims reported will be viewed by the UNF Office of Internal Auditing to determine the appropriate steps and to ensure follow-up is taken.  Depending on the subject and severity of the claim, some claims might be handled administratively and corrected with communications to the appropriate unit head.  Other claims might require an investigation.

The chief audit executive (CAE) will review each report to determine if the reporter meets the whistle-blower criteria.  Should the CAE deem the reporter a whistle-blower, the name or identity of the whistle-blower may not be disclosed to anyone other than a member of internal audit staff without the written consent of the individual; unless the CAE or other appropriate local official determines that the disclosure of the individual's identity is necessary to prevent a substantial and specific danger to the public's health, safety, or welfare or to prevent the imminent commission of a crime; or the disclosure is unavoidable and absolutely necessary during the course of the audit, evaluation, or investigation.

 

In accordance with Florida Statutes Sections 112.3187(6) and 112.3189(1), the chief audit executive is delegated responsibility to review reports to determine if the reporter would qualify for whistle-blower protection.

 

Any violation or suspected violation of any federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation committed by an employee or agent of an agency or independent contractor which creates and presents a substantial and specific danger to the public's health, safety, or welfare. In addition, any act or suspected act of gross mismanagement, malfeasance, misfeasance, gross waste of public funds, suspected or actual Medicaid fraud or abuse, or gross neglect of duty committed by an employee or agent of an agency or independent contractor. Gross mismanagement is defined as a continuous pattern of managerial abuses, wrongful or arbitrary and capricious actions, or fraudulent or criminal conduct which may have a substantial adverse economic impact. 

The Office of Internal Auditing offers consulting services which can give recommendations to help improve and manage risks within your department.  Please contact the Office of Internal Auditing at any time.

Ethics Hotline for fraud, compliance and ethics concerns (see details on main page).

 

If you have a crisis situation and are in distress call the UNF Counselling Center (904) 620-2602.  If it is after regular business hours, wait for the voicemail system to engage and then press 2. You will be connected to a licensed therapist.

 

If you have an emergency dial 911 for the Police or the University Police Department at (904) 620-2800.