NSCS policy hotline hits 1-year mark

The Nebraska State College System Policy violations hotline, launched on Jan. 28, 2014, turned a year old Wednesday.

The IntegraReport hotline service provides a way for NSCS employees, faculty, and students to anonymously submit suspected violations of policy, procedure, or potentially inappropriate workplace activities 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The hotline gives employees a confidential way to raise questions and concerns about possible fraud, abuse, or unethical behavior. The NSCS does not tolerate retaliation against an employee or student for reporting.

Kristin Petersen, vice chancellor for employee relations, said Wednesday that the NSCS had received 19 reports through the hotline in 2014. Petersen said the reports were in regards to use of college resources, personnel policies, business practices, and environmental concerns.

“While anonymous reports don’t allow us an opportunity for communication and follow up, when the reporting employee self-identified, he or she was contacted after the report was investigated to try and give them a follow up on what was resolved with the issue,” Petersen said.

The NSCS has not received any reports regarding Board Policy 3020, the Sexual Violence or Sex Harassment Reporting, Policies, and Procedures. The policy was most recently revised on Jan. 14 and updated to include definitions for stalking and dating violence.

The two-year contract for the hotline service costs $2,500 per year. Petersen said it was to early to determine whether or not the NSCS will renew the contract.

“We’re only halfway thought the contract,” Petersen said, “but I would expect that we would look at that sometime this summer or early in the fall to determine the utility we’ve received out of it, and the expense and whether there will be any increase to the cost for renewal.”

The IntegraReport hotline can be reached toll free at 855-858-3344 or filed online at www.integrareport.com.