SUBJECT:  UCSD Hotline and UCSD Poster - "How To Blow The Whistle On
Suspected Improper Activities"

The University is committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct in the fulfillment of its education, research, public service, and patient care missions. As UCSD faculty, staff, and students, we have an obligation to understand and follow the laws, regulations, policies and procedures that govern our academic and business practices, and to assure that violations of established guidelines are handled appropriately.

Individuals are encouraged to discuss concerns about possible improper activity directly with their supervisors or department heads, and to take advantage of other campus reporting mechanisms currently in place. In order to provide additional assurance that employee concerns are addressed, the UCSD Hotline was established to provide an alternative avenue for reporting concerns anonymously.

The Hotline was developed to take calls from faculty, staff, and students on an anonymous basis regarding possible fraud, such as misuse of assets, potential false billings, conflict of interest or other compliance issues. An independent service reviews Hotline calls and relays concerns back to the University for further review and action. Trained personnel staff the Hotline seven days a week, twenty-four hours per day. The toll free number is 1-877-319-0265. Please contact Audit & Management Advisory Services at 858-534-3617 if you would like a brochure about the Hotline mailed to you.

Recent provisions in the California Whistleblower Protection Act (Government Code Section 8548.2 and 8548.3), require the University to post a Notice by July 1, 2002, to explain provisions of the Act in locations where employee notices are maintained; and send an electronic communication to employees who have UC-authorized access to email. Therefore, this notice is provided to comply with the new regulations, and to request that all UCSD departments print and prominently display the poster, "How To Blow The Whistle On Suspected Improper Activities." The poster is accessible electronically at:

http://www-act.ucsd.edu/blink/documents/hotline.doc

Our goal is to ensure that the integrity of the University and its employees is above reproach, a goal, which I am confident, we all share. The Hotline is another valuable service to assist us in creating an environment that supports and promotes our missions, our UCSD Principles of Community, and our professional ethics.

                                                Robert C. Dynes
                                                Chancellor