Institutional Ethics
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is committed to our core institutional values, including a commitment to behaving in an ethical manner and treating all people with respect. All members of our community are expected to always fulfill ethical and other professional standards. Additionally, we abide by federal, state and other regulations in addition to policies set by the UW System Board of Regents and the university.
This page will cover various topics related to ethics including workplace conduct expectations, integrity hotline, institutional ethics committee, items from vendors or contractors and outside activity reporting. It is your responsibility to be aware of all policies related to ethics in the workplace.
Workplace Conduct Expectations
The following workplace conduct expectations apply to all employees of the Universities of Wisconsin:
- Be fair and respectful to others.
- Protect and preserve UW System resources.
- Act ethically and with integrity.
- Contribute to a healthy and safe workplace.
- Promote a culture of compliance.
Integrity Hotline - Reporting Misconduct, Illegal Activity, Fraud & Abuse
If you have a concern about misconduct, abuse, fraud, illegal activity, violations of university policy,
or if you fear retaliation for speaking out, please report concerns to your supervisor.
The UW System provides a simple and anonymous way to file a report.
Simply go online or dial 855-827-4950.
Institutional Ethics Committee
The Institutional Ethics Committee provides consultation and advice University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to faculty, staff, and administration in addressing codes of ethics outlined in Chapter UWS8 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, Regent Policy Document 20-22 , and Chapter 19.45 of the Wisconsin statutes . Duties of the Institutional Ethics Committee are found here (UWSP 8.035 Institutional ethics committee.)
Current members serving on the committee:
- Brad Van Den Elzen
- Stacey Gerken
- John Blakeman
- Ellen Meier
- Rob Michitsch
- Eric Roesler
- Pratima Gandhi
Items from Vendors or Contractors
Periodically, questions arise regarding what items (gifts, tickets to events and ballgames, etc.) university employees can accept from vendors or contractors.
In general, employees may not accept "anything of value" from these sources. Examples of items that you may not accept, in addition to the obvious ones, include airline tickets or hotel rooms to attend university business functions or vendor-sponsored activities, specifically if you are in the position to approve or influence a decision to award a contract for a product or service. The laws and rules we must work within are designed to provide an open and free "market," both reality, and appearance, for the goods and services the university buys.
Many of you participate in conferences or seminars hosted and attended by education entities and private vendors. At these meetings, breaks or meals may be sponsored by private vendors. Since these benefits are provided to all attendees, they are not considered inappropriate under this code.
In addition, vendors or potential vendors may offer to pay for a meal for you as part of a business meeting. This is likewise acceptable assuming the cost of the meal is within "contemporary community standards."
In general, if you have any doubts about whether you can ethically accept an item from a vendor or contractor, you should decline the offer.
Outside Activity Reporting (OAR)
The employees subject to Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter UWS 8 must keep track of and report annually outside activities pursuant to Wis. Admin. Code UWS 8.025. The Board of Regents require all UW System faculty, academic staff, and limited appointees who are subject to UWS 8 with half-time or greater appointments are required to report annually (by April 30 of each year) on outside activities and interests related to their areas of professional responsibility and for which they receive remuneration.
You are required to report: officerships, directorships, ownership interests, outside professional activities and remunerative activities that occur at any time during the year, even if you are not under contract to the university for part of that time. If, during the year, changes in your reportable outside activities occur, you should immediately inform, in writing, your dean, director or other appropriate administrator. Review the complete policy here.
Outside professional activities may not create a conflict of commitment with your UW System primary duties. If your aggregate time commitment to one or more outside professional activities will exceed an average of 16 hours per calendar month during hours that you would be normally on duty in your UWS position, you must receive prior written permission from your supervisor.
Process for the OAR form:
In the spring of each year, you will be alerted that an online form is available to report any outside activities. The form is completed directly in Workday and must be completed by April 30. As an additional reminder, you will receive communication from UWSP Human Resources about reporting on/around April 1 each year regarding the requirements to complete the form.
Take note:
- Any significant changes in a person's outside activities during the year must be reported immediately to the individual's dean or division officer and forwarded to UWSP Human Resources.
- If an employee has more than one active employee record with a 0.50 FTE or higher, an OAR is required for each record. If applicable, the communication(s) you receive will notify you of more than one OAR.
- When in doubt, report it. There is no penalty/concern if you report something that technically didn't need to be reported.
- Review: Outside Activity Reporting – Employee in Workday
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