Compliance Corner – Issue 3.3
Why we love “dumb” questions (and how they help us innovate) “There are no dumb questions.” How many times have we heard that sentence? It’s usually spoken after someone says, “This might be a dumb question, but…” The would-be questioner wants to ask the question. Perhaps they need clarification, or they didn’t hear what was […]
Compliance Corner – Issue 3.2
“Snitches Get Stitches,” and Other Barriers to Speak-up Culture “Snitches get stitches.” When I was teaching middle school, I often heard students using this phrase when speaking about other students they suspected of telling the teacher who among them had committed the kiddie crime of the moment. Recently, I was surprised to find the adult […]
Compliance Corner – Issue 3.1
Happy New Year! Innovating in the Face of Risk: Lessons Learned from Cross-Country Skiing Have you ever gone backcountry skiing? This style of cross country skiing takes adventurers into challenging new terrain, often in unexplored areas that require advanced skill to navigate. For experienced skiers, the opportunity to break away from the crowded ski resorts […]
Compliance Corner – Issue 2.12
Good Stuff! As another year comes to a close it’s natural to reflect on all that has happened since our last rotation around the sun. But for some, 2023 has been a year fraught with frustration, and for many, sadness. Sometimes, the world we live in can seem a far cry from the wonderful world […]
Compliance Corner – Issue 2.11
Dear Reader, In an effort to streamline our process, and starting with this month’s blog, we will now combine both of our regular blog posts together into one longer monthly blog called Compliance Corner. At the top, you’ll still find the same topical content and commentary you’ve become accustomed to. And if you scroll a […]
No Mischief Here: Managing a Conflict of Interest
A Compliance Case Study The People: Dr. Florinda Alvarez – A celebrated professor and researcher in VCU’s Department of Psychiatry. She also owns a company called Hypnoloos which includes a hypnotherapy program to help morbidly obese people lose weight and develop healthy habits. Dr. Sami Morton – VCU School of Psychiatry Department Chair The Scenario: […]
Tricks, No Treats: An Update on All Things Cyber and Spooky
Compliance Corner – Issue 2.10 Once again, autumn is upon us. The days are shorter, the smell of Pumpkin Spice soars through the air and neighbors bedeck their balconies and yards with scarecrows, bales of hay and gourds of every shape and size. Orange and purple lights, faux skeletons and tombstones announce the appearance of […]
Three Cheers for Tchotchkes! (And why we mean what they say)
Compliance Corner – Issue 2.9 A closet full Boxes and bags, on shelves, overflowing Three cheers for tchotchkes, I say! When I stepped into my role as the Training and Communications Specialist for the Integrity and Compliance Office, one of the things I inherited was a closet full of ICO tchotchkes. You know them: sticky-note […]
Playing for Both Teams at Once
A Compliance Case Study The People: Dr. Greg Normandy – A term faculty member in VCU’s School of the Arts Dr. Anika Patel – Department Chair, School of the Arts Dr. Erin Feeney – Dean, School of the Arts The Setting: Dr. Patel’s office in the School of the Arts. The Event: Dr. Erin Feeney […]
When Silence Isn’t Golden
Compliance Corner – Issue 2.7 “Put a sock in it.” “Mum’s the word.” “Keep it on the downlow.” In their 1964 song, “Silence is Golden” Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons considered the virtues of keeping quiet. The protagonist of the song reasons that if he tells the girl he loves that her boyfriend cheats […]