Office of Ethics, Compliance & Privacy site logo

Office of Ethics, Compliance,
and Risk

 

Reporting

At GW, we conduct our activities with the highest standards of conduct in mind. The Code of Ethical Conduct (the Code) presents the ethical standards to which all persons acting on the university’s behalf should aspire. The Code should be used as a general guide in making ethical decisions in all situations, especially those where the “right” answer is not always clear. Policies at GW are created and maintained with the purpose of encouraging a culture of ethical, social, professional, and legal behavior. Policies serve to communicate GW’s values and mission while protecting its people and reputation.

Members of the university community are expected to report concerns of ethical misconduct and/or noncompliance with laws, regulations, and university policies. Ideally, such reports should be made to the appropriate supervisor, management within your unit, or the appropriate university official (if applicable). Alternatively, you can report a concern 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via EthicsPoint managed by a third-party provider, NAVEX Global, which works in conjunction with the Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Risk. Reports submitted can be anonymous if preferred and may be submitted either online by clicking the button below or by calling the EthicsPoint Hotline Phone Number at (888) 508-5275. More information about reporting and EthicsPoint can be found in this list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

    Non-Retaliation

    The university's Non-Retaliation Policy states that retaliation against members of the university community who make good-faith reports regarding potential university-related violations of law, regulations, or university policies is prohibited. The university will review complaints of retaliation, and any attempted or actual retaliatory action covered under the policy may subject the violator to disciplinary action.

     

    Report a Concern to EthicsPoint

    Submit a Report Using a Mobile Device

     

    Please note, if you are looking to report a concern related to either the GW Hospital or GW Medical Faculty Associates (MFA), they are separate entities from the university with their own reporting features. To report a concern  involving either the GW Hospital or the GW MFA, please see more below: 

    • GW Hospital: A list of patient rights and responsibilities, points of contact, and how to report concerns involving GW Hospital can be found on the Patient Rights and Responsibilities webpage.
    • GW Medical Faculty Associates: The MFA's Privacy Team manages concerns and inquiries related to the MFA. Anonymous reporting features regarding concerns about the MFA can submitted via their General Compliance Reporting Form or at 1-855-231-0615. For general inquiries, please reach out to [email protected] or call (202) 741-3341.

      Other Reporting Avenues

      The following is a list of additional reporting contacts and resources organized alphabetically by subject matter of the complaint.

      • Accessibility: The university is committed to making our physical and digital spaces accessible and usable to everyone, including people with disabilities. Barriers experienced that affect someone's ability to access GW facilities, services, websites, or other digital content should be reported.
      • Bias Incident: Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to report possible bias incidents.
      • Disability Policy Grievance Procedure: The procedures for when an individual wishes to grieve any determination under the Disability Policy.
      • Employee Relations: Reports can be submitted to an employee's HR Business Partner.
      • Equal Employment Opportunity and Access: The Equal Employment Opportunity and Access office (EEOA) provides consultative services and reporting mechanisms to assist staff with situations that involve allegations of unfair treatment, discrimination, and affirmative action, as well as disability and religious accommodations.
      • Facilities Repair: Maintenance or repair work needs can be submitted to the FixIt ticket system.
      • Faculty Concerns and Grievances: Faculty can submit reports to their department head, or, where applicable, the head of other pertinent academic unit, Dean, or Faculty Affairs at [email protected] or 202-994-1620. The process for filing a formal grievance is outlined in the Faculty Code.
      • Grade Appeals: Each school/college has a grade appeal process. Students should contact their dean's office for the process specific to their school/college.
      • Management: Reports can be submitted to an employee's supervisor, department head, or, where applicable, head of other pertinent academic unit.
      • Office of Professional and Respectful Learning (School of Medicine & Health Sciences) : The Office of Professional and Respectful Learning manages reports of learner mistreatment within the School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
      • Privacy: The GW Privacy Office provides online forms to report data incidents or privacy concerns.
      • Research Misconduct: Reports of observed, suspected, or apparent misconduct in research should be submitted to the Research Integrity Officer.
      • Sexual Harassment: The Title IX Office responds to reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating and domestic violence, and provides supportive measures to individuals affected by these issues.
      • Student Behavior: Reports of alleged student misconduct (including academic misconduct but excluding Title IX-related matters) can be submitted to Student Rights & Responsibilities.
      • Student Discrimination Report Procedures: Procedures provide channels for resolution of reports from students of unlawful discrimination by a faculty member.

      If you are unsure what to do, please reach out to the Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Risk. For consultation or inquiry please email the Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Risk or call (202) 994-3386.

      If your report is an emergency, please call 911 or GW Emergency Services at (202) 994-6111.