One Step Ahead
November 20, 2007, Volume 54, No. 13	Print Issue

Another tip in a series provided by the Offices of Information Systems & Computing and Audit, Compliance & Privacy.

Penn has established standards of stewardship and ethical behavior that affect all areas of the University.  These basic expectations for the Penn community have been articulated in ten Principles of Responsible Conduct, which can be viewed at www.upenn.edu/audit/oacp_principles.htm.

The Principles include, for example, maintaining confidentiality, respecting others in the work place, complying with laws, regulations and policies, and avoiding conflict of interest. If you become aware of behavior that you think may violate established standards of conduct, what should you do? 

The answer to this question is simple.  Penn’s Office of Audit, Compliance and Privacy has established a Confidential Reporting and Help Line:  1-888-BEN-TIPS.  The Reporting and Help Line is a resource for all University staff, students and faculty to call anytime for assistance with questions, policies or procedures, or to report suspected incidents of non-compliance.  Individuals are permitted to make reports anonymously, or they may identify themselves and request confidentiality about their identity as the inquiry goes forward.  In most cases, requests for confidentiality can be honored; a compliance specialist can explain the limits on confidentiality for callers who are concerned.

Using the Ben Tips Confidential Reporting and Help Line is also simple.  A compliance specialist will answer the Line between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. At any other time, callers are invited to leave a message. Your name is not required, as noted above, and the Reporting and Help Line does not have a caller ID feature. All questions and concerns are welcome, and no action will be taken against anyone for reporting information in good faith to the Reporting and Help Line.  The Office of Audit, Compliance and Privacy will respond to all questions and will facilitate any required action. 

For additional information about Penn’s Office of Audit, Compliance and Privacy visit www.upenn.edu/audit.

For additional tips, see the One Step Ahead link on the Information Security website: www.upenn.edu/computing/security/.