The first step is to discuss the matter with that person's supervisor or your own supervisor. Often the issue can be resolved by department or division management with no need for further investigation.
The Dartmouth College Business Ethics Helpline is designed to allow you to remain anonymous if you wish when you raise your concern. You may submit your concern in writing to the office listed on the Business Ethics Helplines web page (identifying yourself or remaining anonymous, as you wish), or you may submit your concern online. (The process for receiving information submitted anonymously via the Ethics Concerns Form is designed so that College officials cannot trace your identity.)
You should also be aware that Dartmouth College policy prohibits retaliation against any person who has raised a concern in good faith. Good faith means that you have a sincere belief based on the facts known to you at the time -- and more than mere speculation -- that there may be an ethical or compliance problem.
You should raise your concern through one of the Business Ethics Helplines. The appropriate College official can investigate the situation. In many situations, this can be done without the subject of the inquiry ever knowing about it.
You should contact one the office listed on the Business Ethics Helplines web page and request their guidance. In some instances, College policies or regulations to which the College is subject can be technical or unclear. Often a discussion of the circumstances can lead to a relief of suspicion or indicate a need for further investigation.
You should consider whether the contact listed on the Business Ethics Helplines web page might be able to advise you about the topic. For example, if your concern is about research misconduct, you should contact the Office of Sponsored Projects, or if it has to do with discrimination, you should contact the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity. You can also contact the Ombuds Office if you have a conflict in your workplace or are concerned about a possible violation of written policies. If you cannot determine an appropriate contact, then call the Office of Risk and Internal Controls Services and staff there will refer you to the appropriate office.
You do have the right to contact the police or other external authority. The College, however, is often able to address your concerns and resolve the situation without this external involvement, so consider first using the contact on the Business Ethics Helplines web page. If you do contact the police or other external authority, the College asks that you let the Office of General Counsel know that you have done so, so that the College can respond appropriately.
Yes. Retaliation against persons who have raised a good faith concern about business ethics or compliance is a violation of College policy and may subject the person engaging in retaliation to disciplinary action.
Generally, unethical behavior represents individual action and is not a reflection on a department, division, school, or Dartmouth College as an institution. Each situation will be investigated and addressed separately, depending on the specific circumstances.
No. You should have a good faith basis for your concern. (See FAQ #2 regarding "good faith.") A good faith concern, however, does not require complete information. College officials will gather the facts and review the matter in detail.
You should contact the Chief Human Resources Officer.
If you identify yourself (rather than submitting your concern anonymously), the Office of Risk and Internal Controls Services or other office reviewing the matter will contact you to let you know that the issue is being reviewed. In the course of the review you may be contacted to clarify the concern or provide additional information. The reviewing office will inform you of the progress of its investigation and, depending on the nature of the matter, may be able to share information about the outcome of the review.
If possible, you should discuss the matter with your supervisor. Referring to applicable College policies, you and your supervisor should together determine whether the concern raised by the employee can be dealt with by your department or whether you should notify the Business Ethics Helplines. If you determine that the matter can be addressed within the department, be sure to document the action taken and discuss the results with the staff member so he/she understands how the matter has been addressed.
You should contact the Office of Risk and Internal Controls Services.
