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1. Send a text message to (802) 441-6649 saying Hi, Hello or any other word.
2. You will receive a message asking you to text the word “report” to confirm that you want to submit a concern.
3. Next, the system will guide you through a series of automated questions regarding your concern.
4. When your submission is complete, you will receive a text that includes your confirmation, access number and password. Make sure you save this information so that you can access your report online. If you lose or misplace your login information, we will be unable to communicate with you and you will not be able to check the status of the report.
   

In order to maintain the highest level of confidentiality, the University has contracted with an to manage the Compliance and Ethics Reporting and HelpLine (the HelpLine). The outside entity handles the intake of all reports made via the HelpLine, screening them for conflicts before forwarding them to the Director of Compliance Services, who reviews them with the Chief Internal Auditor and the General Counsel to determine an appropriate course of action. If an internal referral is needed, it follows a predefined referral matrix aligned with University procedures. For external referrals, the Director of Compliance Services coordinates the referral through the Office of General Counsel. Investigations result in a corrective action plan based on the issue and findings. Once fully investigated, the report is closed. As long as you retain your login information, you can anonymously track the status of their report, including receipt, referral, and closure.

When filing a report using the Ethics and Compliance Reporting HelpLine, create a password and a security question. After you submit the report, you will receive an access number. This access number, along with your password, enables you to check the status of your case either online or by telephone.

You can’t change the submitted report but can add details using message boards.

Your access code and password will also enable you to check on the status of your report. Status updates will be posted in Convercent. Due to confidentiality,  we can’t share specific investigation results if they contain personnel information. If inappropriate behavior or the violation continues after a report is closed, please file another report.

You can report any violation of your , any other compliance concern, or violations of any regulatory requirement, University Policy or University Operating Procdure. The identifies a variety of issues that may be reported. You may want to visit  and review applicable policies before reporting via the HelpLine.

The online reporting form or intake staff will guide you through the reporting process by identifying the broader category. However, if you cannot find the specific issue you want to report, it is recommended that you use the issue type "other". Please provide as much specific information in your report as possible, but don't feel obligated to have "all the facts" to file a report.

Do not use this system to report events or situations that present an immediate threat to life or property or if a crime is in progress. Instead, call 9-1-1 in cases of immediate safety threats, obvious criminal activity or other emergencies.

While there are some types of reports that our office will not investigate, it is never wrong to report via the HelpLine. If a report is received in a category outside our office’s purview, we will refer it to the correct office and notify the reporter. We will post a message to the online form.

Matters that we will generally refer include:

• Academic Integrity matters should be reported to the Center for Student Ethics and Standards via the . 
• Student conduct matters should be reported to the Center for Student Ethics & Standards via their .
• The initial report of sexual misconduct or Title IX concerns should be reported to the Office of Equal Opportunity via any of the following:
  • In Person:        428 Waterman Building
  • By Phone:        (802) 656-3368
  • By Email:          TitleIX@uvm.edu or Title9@uvm.edu
  • Online:             

Additionally, the system should not be used to address employee dissatisfaction. Employee disputes or grievances should follow established channels such as the  or the applicable bargaining unit's contract provisions.

The HelpLine is always available to you. When you observe some behavior that you believe violates our Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards or other regulatory requirement, University Policy, or University Operating Procedure, we encourage you to report it. Ideally, you should bring any concerns forward to your direct supervisor or you may use other existing channels for reporting specific issues as identified by University Policy. We recognize, however, that there may be circumstances when this isn't possible. We would rather you report the issue in this manner. We would rather you report through this reporting system than keep the information to yourself. You can always choose to report anonymously; however, you are expected to tell someone.

No, the Ethics and Compliance Reporting HelpLine supplements many existing reporting channels but other reporting channels still exist such as reporting to a manager or supervisor, reporting to a Labor and Employee Relations representative, reporting to a member of senior leadership, or reporting directly to the Office of Compliance Services.

As employees, we have the right to work in a positive environment, which means acting ethically manner and reporting inappropriate behavior. Together, we can maintain a healthy and positive environment. Misconduct of any kind puts the University at risk. Depending on the nature of the misconduct, it can also put individuals at risk. 

We have the right to work in a positive environment, which means acting ethically and reporting inappropriate behavior. Together, we can maintain a healthy workplace. Misconduct risks both the University and individuals.

An effective compliance program includes a mechanism that allows employees to report regulatory and policy violations anonymously. It provides employees with a way to report without fear of retaliation. By creating open channels of communication, we can promote a positive work environment, continually improve our culture of compliance, and support our shared values identified in "."

The Ethics and Compliance Reporting HelpLine concentrates on being a positive element of ����̽̽'s compliance program, and allows the University to afford all members of its community a workplace that is healthy and safe and one that operates ethically and with integrity. You are encouraged to seek guidance on ethical dilemmas, provide positive suggestions, or communicate a concern. Effective communication is critical to our University workplace and this is a great tool to enhance that communication. We have carefully chosen the best reporting tool to meet our compliance obligations while maintaining a positive reporting environment.

Management encourages reports so that possible violations of policy and law may be addressed appropriately and promptly.

Convercent does not generate or maintain any internal connection logs with IP addresses, so no information linking your computer to Convercent is available. In fact, Convercent is contractually committed not to pursue a reporter's identity.

If you feel uncomfortable making a report on your work computer, you have the option of using a computer outside our work environment (such as one located at an Internet café, library, etc.) through the Convercent secure website or you can call or text using a smartphone.

Yes, a report from home or any Internet portal will remain secure and anonymous. An Internet portal never identifies a visitor by screen name and the Convercent system strips away Internet addresses so that anonymity is totally maintained.

We can keep reports as confidential as possible; however, nobody can guarantee anonymity 100% of the time. It’s just not possible. It is true that during an investigation, sometimes the identity of a reporter becomes known. Depending on the nature of the violation, there are times when we are required by law to turn reports over to law enforcement. However, the Convercent system accepts anonymous reports and we maintain the highest level of confidentiality throughout our investigatory process. You should also take steps to ensure that the body of the report does not reveal your identity by accident. For example, "From my office next to Joe Smith…" or "In my 33 years in xx department…".

If you choose to remain anonymous keep in mind that certain types of reports may be difficult to fully investigate and, unless you regularly check back in, we will not be able to communicate with you. It is critical that you safeguard your login information and that you continue to check back in especially if you reported anonymously.

We will maintain confidentiality of reporters as much as we are able to throughout the investigative process; however, anonymity of reporters cannot be guaranteed. Reporters should be assured that University management takes the whistle blower protections in the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, the Whistleblower Policy, and other University policies very seriously. Retaliation against a reporter is, in itself, a serious and reportable offense.

Conflict screening is built into the responding process. Initially, Convercent ensures that any individual identified in a report will not be notified nor have access to the report. Another conflict screening is done by the Office of Compliance Services prior to referring reports internally. All Convercent responders are trained in how to handle HelpLine reports and this training includes the importance of anonymity and maintaining confidentiality.

Everyone throughout the cycle of the report from receipt to closure maintain confidentiality to the extent that they can do so while completing the review. All reports are shared with the minimum number of individuals necessary to complete the review and all involved individuals are apprised of the confidential nature of reviews. All reports are treated as allegations only. No actions will be taken before conclusion of an investigation unless temporary measures are necessary to address immediate institutional concerns as to personal safety or the protection of property.