News release issued March 1, 2006

            OXFORD, Ohio – Miami University is adding a new service to provide faculty, staff, students and the public with a confidential method of reporting conduct that may be illegal, unethical or in violation of Miami’s policies.
            The university has contracted with EthicsPoint to provide an anonymous Internet and telephone-based tool for calling attention to suspected violations of laws or regulations.  The new option adds to existing methods that encourage such reporting.
            “More and more universities are turning to anonymous systems in an effort to provide open channels of communication.  We believe that EthicsPoint will help us know about and respond to concerns as soon as they develop.  And timely reporting of inappropriate actions or behavior can minimize the potential impact on an organization,” said Miami President Jim Garland. He added that most violations are not the result of deliberate misconduct, but are inadvertent or stem from a lack of information.
            The new system goes into effect March 1. Individuals can report concerns anonymously via a toll-free hotline at 1-866-294-9544 or via the Internet at www.EthicsPoint.com. 
While all information will be secure, individuals may choose to file reports from off-campus computers (most public libraries have computers, for example) or off-campus phones since both systems will operate on a seven-day-a-week, 24-hour-a-day basis. 
            Reports that come into EthicsPoint via its secure server or its toll-free hotline will be shared with a designated set of Miami officials, who will be charged with determining the facts of each report and/or answering questions.  When an individual files a report, whether by the toll-free hotline or over the Internet, he or she will be asked to choose a password and monitor the progress of his or her report. 
            “Basically, when you file a report with EthicsPoint the system provides the capability for ‘anonymous dialogue ’ and follow-up.  You can provide additional information or a university official can ask you to clarify a statement.  The goal is to provide a confidential forum so that even the most complex issues can be understood and resolved," said Garland.
            EthicsPoint is designed for individuals who do not feel comfortable identifying themselves when they make a report.  Employees are encouraged to continue to personally report concerns to their supervisor or the appropriate vice president or the president and students are encouraged to contact the dean of students, vice president of student affairs or the president.
            University officials explained that the EthicsPoint service is not meant to be a substitute for any existing methods at Miami that deal with the reporting of personal accounts of discrimination and sexual or other protected class harassment.  Nor is EthicsPoint designed to deal with faculty, staff or union grievances, all of which have specific processes outlined in the Miami University Policy and Information Manual. 
            Additional information, including a “question and answer document” and a “how to report” document are available at www.muohio.edu/ethicspoint/ or go directly to the EthicsPoint Web site at www.ethicspoint.com.