If a tree falls in the forest…
Compliance Corner – Issue 1.8 If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound? Perhaps you first heard this question when someone wanted to challenge you by drawing you into a philosophical conversation. For me, it was my Uncle Roy. He had the maddening habit of stopping […]
He put WHAT in the lesson?
A Compliance Case Study The People: Dr. Harris – An instructor of Botany at VCU Marc, Alex and Abby – Some of his Botany students The Setting: Dr. Harris’ classroom in the Trani Life Sciences Building The Event: As Dr. Harris’ Botany 101 class was about to begin, some of his students were discussing something funny […]
Spooky: How Cyber Villains Haunt Higher Ed
Compliance Corner – Issue 1.7 It’s that time of year again; the nights are darker, the shadows are longer, and the houses creek as they adjust to the change in temperature. Little ghosts and goblins will soon be traipsing through the neighborhood, in search of goodies. Of course, I’m thinking of Halloween, but I’m also […]
What Students Want
Compliance Corner – Issue 1.6 Last month, during the Weeks of Welcome (WOW) event, the Integrity and Compliance Office staged a table in front of Stokes House, the site of our offices on Franklin Street. We stirred gallons of sugary lemonade, set up an easel and markers and sprinkled the table with a smattering of […]
On Notice: Bad Behavior
A Compliance Case Study The People: Carol, an administrative assistant in the School of Social Work Maya, an academic advisor in their department Dontrell, the office manager John, an employee from University Mail Services The Setting: The administrative offices in the School of Social Work The Event: Carol and Maya stood talking in the center […]
Two for Fraud: A Compliance Case Study
This month, with our focus on fraud, we depart from our usual format of highlighting a single case to bring you two cases at once. As always, the names and details – including names of departments and units – have been changed to protect the identities of the people involved. Scenario 1: Meredith, a professor […]
Conditions Ripe for Fraud
Compliance Corner – Issue 1.5 46. That’s the percentage of organizations reporting some type of fraud in Pricewaterhouse Cooper’s Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey 2022. And within those organizations, 57% of the fraud reported occurred with some assistance from an employee. But before you assume that Big Business bears the brunt of losses from […]
Speak Up for Safety: A Compliance Case Study
The People: Ashish, Javon and Madison – Members of a team that review documentation to verify that safety inspections are taking place and are conducted correctly Julia – Their supervisor Charles – A building access technician in the Technology Services department Diane – Another building access technician in the Technology Services department The Setting: An […]
What’s So Great About a Speak-up Culture?
Compliance Corner – Issue 1.4 With all the talk about creating a speak-up culture within the workplace, you may be asking yourself, “What’s so great about a speak-up culture?” And, given the position you hold within the university, you may have a different perspective than some of your fellow employees. For example, let’s say that […]
Making the Call: A Compliance Case Study
This month’s Compliance Case Study is a follow-up to last month’s post. When we last left Ayana, she had decided to call the VCUHelpline to report her supervisor’s behavior. Let’s listen in on the call to see what happened: The People: Ayana – An employee in a department at the university Call Center Agent – […]