Core Component 2.A

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DRAFT

2.A The institution operates with integrity in its financial, academic, personnel, and auxiliary functions; it establishes and follows policies and processes for fair and ethical behavior on the part of its governing board, administration, faculty, and staff.

Argument

As an institution within the Southern Illinois University System, SIUC is governed by the SIU Board of Trustees (BOT), which sets policies and rules for the system. The SIU President is the chief executive charged with the responsibility for administration of the system. The Chancellor is accountable and reports to the President and the BOT on the operation and administration of SIUC. The Southern Illinois University Management Act created the body politic and corporate to operate, manage, control and maintain the board and the SIU system. The SIU system and SIUC operate under the charter, by-laws, and policies of the BOT.  

SIUC is organized into five administrative divisions, each headed by a Vice Chancellor:

  • Academic Affairs
  • Student Affairs
  • Administration and Finance
  • Research and Development
  • Alumni Relations

Vice Chancellors are responsible for operational integrity within their division. The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and the Dean of the School of Medicine (SOM) also serve as Provosts and report to the SIUC Chancellor. 

Financial Integrity

As a public institution, SIUC is accountable to the State of Illinois for its financial operations and is subject to the financial and administrative affairs policies set forth by the BOT. These policies guide financial operations including:

  • tuition and fees
  • auxiliary functions
  • extramural sport administration
  • purchasing, student recruitment
  • physical plant services
  • payroll
  • information technology
  • reporting

Within the BOT policy, the role of the Finance Committee is to:

  • review, approve, or recommend investment reports
  • external financing
  • operating budgets
  • tuition and fees
  • initial appointments for staff receiving an annual salary of $150,000 and higher level administrators and staff.

Southern Illinois System Office of Internal Audit, Compliance, and Ethics ensures high ethical standards and compliance with laws and regulations. This office is responsible for:

  • developing and implementing ethics training
  • reviewing statements of economic interest disclosure forms
  • referring ethical complaints to the appropriate authorities
  • providing guidance to senior officers and employees in the interpretation of the Ethics Act
  • approving gift ban exceptions for business travel and educational gifts
  • serving as the University liaison to the State of Illinois Office of Inspector General and the Executive Ethics Commission. 

The Office of Sponsored Project Administration (OSPA), a unit of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, facilitates and supports research and sponsored project activities at SIUC and oversees several research compliance areas to ensure all research is conducted according to all governing regulations. Similar oversight is provided for the SOM through the Associate Dean for Research Office of Grants and Contracts (OGC).  

Faculty Senate has a budget committee, with two representatives on the Chancellor's budget and planning committee. The Graduate Council also has two representatives on the committee.

Academic Integrity

The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) approves all new units of instruction and academic administration for public colleges and universities in the state, and undertakes periodic review of all existing units of instruction. Budget and planning documents are submitted annually to the IBHE and contain programmatic plans related to institutional objectives. The BOT's Academic Matters Committee reviews and recommends proposals for the establishment, allocation, and abolition of all educational units, curricula, and degrees, except those delegated to the President. Academic offerings are detailed in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Standards are described in the SIUC Student Conduct Code, the SOM Student Handbook, the catalogs, and in college or program approved student handbooks.

Personnel Integrity

SIUC subscribes to affirmative action and equal opportunity principles. BOT policy commits the SIU system to equal opportunity for all persons and to taking affirmative steps to overcome historical patterns of discrimination. SIU promotes this policy in all phases of university activities including employment, educational programs, choice of contractors, and relationships with employee organizations. Equal employment opportunity/affirmative action policies govern all hiring decisions and educational opportunities. All position advertisements include a statement of this commitment. Hiring policies of the BOT, SIUC, and the State Universities Civil Service System are followed for all applicants. The University Affirmative Action Officer and Human Resources Staff ensures compliance with affirmative action policies and the State Universities Civil Service System Statue and Rules. For security sensitive positions, SIUC conducts criminal background checks on new employees prior to hiring and afterwards on a periodic basis.

Vice Chancellors are responsible for ensuring their units follow human resources and personnel policies and procedures. The Labor and Employee Relations Office, a division of the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, is charged with the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements. This office is also responsible for administering the non-represented employee’s grievance policy.

SIUC has robust policies for investigation and adjudicating complaints/grievances regarding faculty and staff. The Labor and Employee Relations Office handles grievances in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and university policy. The office is also responsible for administering the university's progressive disciplinary program. Faculty may appeal administrative action or inaction, or charges of unethical behavior through the Judicial Review Board, a body elected through the Faculty Senate that reports directly to the Chancellor. The chancellor’s decision on grievances can be appealed to the BOT. The SOM has grievance policies for civil servants, faculty, and administrative personnel.

Federal regulations require institutions of higher education to disclose information for filing complaints. A dedicated website provides guidance on complaints including:

  • academic issues (e.g. syllabi, grades, classroom environment)
  • online education complaint resolution
  • external resources (e.g. IBHE, HLC, Federal Student Aid)
  • discrimination
  • abuse
  • research misconduct
  • parking, police, ADA

SIUC has mandatory training for Title IX, VAWA, and the Cleary Act. OSPA at SIUC and OGC at the SOM offer guidance on Research Ethics and Compliance policies. The SIU Office of General Counsel provides legal counsel on all personnel affairs.

The 2017-2018 Campus Climate Survey suggests that while SIUC faculty have a clear understanding of University policies and procedures (Table 92), and are satisfied with the current climate (Tables 108 and 109), retention of qualified faculty, staff, and administrators was of concern (Table 130). A majority of students agreed that SIUC:

  • admission policies are fair (Table 11)
  • emphasizes diversity on campus (Table 16)
  • is accessible to students with diverse talents and backgrounds (Table 17)

Auxiliary Function

Auxiliary functions are governed by BOT policy. The SIU System Office of Internal Audit, Compliance and Ethics offers guidance and training on ethic matters. The SOM is supported by the Office of Compliance and Ethics. Title IX training and compliance is supported by the SIU System and the SIUC campus. SIUC is fully compliant with all state regulations including the Freedom of Information Act.

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