Administrative Responsibility:  General Counsel

Purpose

This Code incorporates the cited statutes and policies of the University that describe expectations for University employees in the conduct of University business. University employees should assume and exercise responsibility appropriate to their positions and roles and exercise sound judgment in the performance of their responsibilities. As stewards of the University's finances, assets, and resources, all employees are responsible for conducting their work in the highest ethical fashion. Employees may be held accountable for their actions and their decisions in accordance with the particular governing contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and University statutes, policies and procedures, especially those set out in this Code of Business Ethics and Conduct. All members of the University Community are expected to carry out their responsibilities in a way that reflects the University's commitment to an inclusive community.

Scope

This Code of Business Ethics and Conduct covers all University employees, including student employees, part-time employees, and subsidy-conditioned employees.

Definitions

N/A

1. Compliance with University policies and procedures
   Employees are expected to know and comply with the policies and procedures relevant to the area of their responsibilities that the University has established for managing its activities and operations, including but not limited to:
   • Wayne State University Code
     • 2.28.01  Non-Discrimination/Affirmative Action Policy
     • 2.28.06  Sexual Harassment
     • 2.31.02  Student Code of Conduct
     • 2.41.03  Conflict of Interest; Contracts
     • 2.41.04  Patent and Copyright Policy
     • 2.72.03  Vendor Gifts
        
   • University Policies
     • 99-3  Workplace Violence
     • 00-1  Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources
     • 02-3  Consulting by Executive Officers
     • 03-4  Consulting by University Faculty and Research Personnel
     • 05-4  Contracts between Wayne State University and External Organizations in which University Employees Participate
     • 07-2  Confidential Information Policy
     • 08-1  Conflict of Interest Disclosure
     • 08-2  Investigator Disclosure
     • 10-1  Wayne State University Policy and Procedure regarding Research Misconduct
     • 15-1  Internal Financial Documents and Transaction Approvals
     • 16-4  Family Educational Rights and Privacy
        
2. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations
   The University conducts its business in a heavily regulated environment, and compliance with laws is important as a matter of legal responsibility as well as ethics. University employees must comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations relevant to the performance of their responsibilities. Employees must recognize that noncompliance can have severe adverse financial and other consequences, potentially affecting the reputation and operations of the entire University. Everyone has a duty to become informed about and keep current with relevant legal obligations, with assistance from appropriate University offices when needed.
    
3. Compliance with contracts, grants, and other University obligations
   In the course of its operations the University frequently undertakes contractual and other formal obligations with outside entities, including sponsored project agreements, commercial contracts for the purchase of goods or services, software licenses, gift agreements, and memoranda of understanding with other organizations. Faculty and staff are expected to adhere to requirements set out in such contracts, grants and other University obligations and act in good faith with regard to their roles in all obligations assumed by the University.
    
4. Stewardship of University resources
   University employees are expected to use University resources prudently and only for their intended purposes, consistent with the tax-exempt status of the University.
    
5. Recordkeeping 
   Faculty and staff must allocate, assign, record, and approve costs and effort in accordance with applicable University policies and procedures and governmental or granting agency requirements. The accuracy and reliability of such reporting is an important compliance obligation of the University, and supporting documentation must be retained on file as required by such policies and procedures.
    
6. Reporting Noncompliance
   A known or suspected incidence of non- compliance with applicable University policies and procedures or applicable laws, rules, and regulations should be reported to an appropriate University authority, typically the employee's immediate supervisor. If there is reason to believe the supervisor may be involved in the noncompliance, the report should be made to the next-higher level of management, such as a department chair or dean, or to other University authorities, such as the Office of Internal Audit through the Fraud Hotline at 313-577-5138 or online at https://internalaudit.wayne.edu/report Suspected criminal activity, including theft or misappropriation of assets, should be reported to Public Safety at 313-577-2222.
   Knowing or reckless filing of false reports can result in disciplinary action for an employee, after notice and due process and in accordance with the terms of applicable University statutes, policies and procedures and any relevant employment agreement.
    
7. Resources
   • Board of Governors Statutes:  https://bog.wayne.edu/code
   • University Policies:  https://wayne.edu/policies
   • Internal Audit:  https://internalaudit.wayne.edu/
   • Office of the Provost:  https://provost.wayne.edu/
   • Office of Human Resources:  https://hr.wayne.edu/
   • Finance and Business Operations:  https://fbo.wayne.edu/
   • Division of Research:  https://research.wayne.edu/
   • Office of the General Counsel:  https://generalcounsel.wayne.edu/
   • Office of Equal Opportunity: https://oeo.wayne.edu/
   • Title IX:  https://titleix.wayne.edu/

Procedure

N/A

Appendices

N/A

Related University/Board Policies

• Wayne State University Code
  • 2.28.01  Non-Discrimination/Affirmative Action Policy
  • 2.28.06  Sexual Harassment
  • 2.31.02  Student Code of Conduct
  • 2.41.03  Conflict of Interest; Contracts
  • 2.41.04  Patent and Copyright Policy
  • 2.72.03  Vendor Gifts

• University Policies
  • 99-3  Workplace Violence
  • 00-1  Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources
  • 02-3  Consulting by Executive Officers
  • 03-4  Consulting by University Faculty and Research Personnel
  • 05-4  Contracts between Wayne State University and External Organizations in which University Employees Participate
  • 07-2  Confidential Information Policy
  • 08-1  Conflict of Interest Disclosure
  • 08-2  Investigator Disclosure
  • 10-1  Wayne State University Policy and Procedure regarding Research Misconduct
  • 15-1  Internal Financial Documents and Transaction Approvals
  • 16-4  Family Educational Rights and Privacy

Effective Date:

To be reviewed, at minimum, every three years and/or revised as needed by General Counsel

Next Review by Date:  November 1, 2024

Supersedes Policy

N/A

Historical Dates

N/A