Cornell offers an anonymous reporting hotline for safety, health and environmental issues (among other things). It can be accessed toll-free at 1-866-293-3077 or <http://www.ethicspoint.com>.
Please see the 4/17/2007 message from Cornell President David Skorton copied below for more details on the hotline.
Dear Members of the Cornell University Community:
All of us, as members of the Cornell University community, are responsible, when acting on the university's behalf, to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct. I am proud that our faculty, staff and students strive to advance the university's mission while also complying with applicable laws, regulations and policies.
Generally, when concerns arise about financial irregularities, environmental health and safety, and other matters that impact the university, faculty, staff and students should discuss any concerns with their colleagues, supervisors, department chair or dean. In certain circumstances, though, it may be desirable to raise an issue in a way that protects the individual's anonymity.
To provide a mechanism for members of the Cornell community (as well as those outside) to raise concerns in confidence, Cornell offers an Internet-based reporting system and call center "hotline" under contract with EthicsPoint, Inc. of Portland, Oregon. The system can accommodate concerns about financial matters, environmental health and safety, and billing compliance and research at the Weill Cornell Medical College (including Qatar). Using a separate EthicsPoint reporting home page, it also accommodates concerns about financial reporting, internal control, financial irregularities, athletics, environmental compliance and environmental health and safety on the Ithaca campus and at other locations, including Geneva and Arecibo. The system can ensure anonymity for those desiring it, while bringing concerns to Cornell's attention. The University Audit Office has responsibility for administering the system. In addition, the reporting system provides a way for the reporter to keep track of the actions taken to follow up on his or her initial report. The website is available in English or Spanish, and the call center is staffed by individuals who can deal with requests in multiple languages.
The hotline meets the standards specified by the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which were adopted upon the recommendation of Cornell University's Audit Committee as a "best practice." It can be accessed toll-free at 1-866-293-3077 or <http://www.ethicspoint.com>.
While I hope and expect that few of us will ever need to utilize the ethics hotline, I am pleased that Cornell has in place a system that faculty, staff and students can use with full confidence that their concerns will be heard while their anonymity is preserved.
Thank you all for your dedication and hard work and for making Cornell an institution that "fosters initiative, integrity and excellence, in an environment of collegiality, civility, and responsible stewardship."
Best regards,
David J. Skorton
President