Whistleblower Policy
Skidmore College has an ongoing obligation to members of the college community, to
those with whom the college does business or otherwise interacts and to the public-
at large to maintain the highest ethical standards. The college requires all members
of the Skidmore community to comply with the law and with all college policies.
The college encourages members of the community to come forward in a timely manner
with good-颅faith reports or concerns about suspected compliance issues. Individuals
are encouraged to submit such reports to their immediate supervisor or the appropriate
department chairperson, program director, dean or other college official. Various
college policies may specify certain reporting procedures.
Although the college encourages individuals to report concerns to their immediate
supervisors, department heads, program directors, deans or other appropriate college
officials, there are times when an individual may feel it is necessary to report a
concern of wrongdoing outside of the traditional reporting mechanism. To address that
situation, Skidmore has selected an independent firm to provide a way to anonymously
and confidentially report activities that may involve improper conduct or violations
of Skidmore policies. You may file a report by visiting or by telephone at 888鈥�828鈥�7002.
Upon submission of a report, the independent firm will promptly forward the report,
as appropriate, to the to the College Controller or to the Associate Vice President
for Finance and Administration/Director of Human Resources, who will confer as appropriate
to determine a process for review and investigation including the Board of Trustees
Audit Committee Chairperson. All reports will be investigated promptly and discreetly,
receiving careful consideration with the objective of addressing any improper conduct
or violation of college policy.
No retaliatory action will be taken against anyone for reporting or inquiring in
good faith about potential violations of the law or Skidmore's policies, or for seeking
guidance with respect to suspected violations. Any such retaliatory action taken shall
be considered a violation of this policy and grounds for independent disciplinary
action.
However, an employee shall not intentionally misuse the college's whistleblower policy.
Intentional misuse includes, but is not limited to, frivolous claims, attempts to
treat a personal grievance or personnel dispute as an allegation of wrongdoing, lack
of good faith in invoking the policy, or any known false, malicious or misleading
statements made at any time under the procedures of the policy. The investigator will
report to Human Resources, the director of the applicable office of the employee and
the President the identity of any employee who is believed to have intentionally misused
the whistleblower policy. After appropriate review by these individuals, the employee
is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Specific administrative entities or granting programs also may have specified lines
of reporting for issues of misconduct or other violations of applicable policy. Information
on such grant-颅specific reporting procedures may be obtained by contacting the Office
of Sponsored Research at 518-颅580-颅5177.
