Committing to a Culture of Trust and Transparency

Ethical behavior is a core expectation for all members of the University of Michigan community and is vital to promoting a culture of integrity, respect, and accountability. The Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance Office (“EIC Office”)  plays a critical role in establishing this tone by modeling ethical behavior, upholding the highest standards of honesty and integrity, and actively contributing to the university’s exemplary reputation.

The Values, Principles, and Responsibilities for the Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance Office applies to all members of the EIC Office, inclusive of the Ethics, Integrity, & Compliance Officer. 

While these Values, Principles, and Responsibilities are not university policy, they are supported by various university policies, as well as the Bylaws of the University of Michigan Board of Regents. The ethical standards set forth in the Values, Principles, and Responsibilities complement current and future policies.

     A. Statement Regarding the Mission

The University of Michigan serves the state, nation, and world through preeminence in education, arts, medical care, and research. Our community members are dedicated to the advancement of the university and society through integrity, inclusion, respect, innovation, equity, and diversity. As employees at University of Michigan, the EIC Office is committed to these values, and to furthering public trust in the University of Michigan. 

     B. Commitment to the Values, Principles, and Responsibilities

The University of Michigan is committed to establishing, supporting, and maintaining a culture where all members of the U-M community are supported and valued.

These principles, supported through university policies and procedures, provide guidance for making decisions and upholding accountability to the University of Michigan standards and to the community.

The EIC Office is uniquely positioned to be champions for the Values, Principles, and Responsibilities, including by continuing their own learning and growth and leading by example.

Everyone in the university community must do their part to maintain a culture of ethics and compliance. As such, members of the EIC Office are committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct, and to offering resources and support to help all members of the UM community embody these values.

     A. Expect respect.

Respect is the foundation for ethical behavior. In expecting respect, EIC Office members are expected to:

1. Require civility from themselves and their team members and offer it to colleagues, university partners, and the UM community.
2. Stand up to intimidation, bullying, silencing or retaliation.
3. Report concerns about unethical behavior by any member of the university community to those responsible for investigating and addressing the situation.
4. Maintain a position of institutional neutrality in their official capacity on political or social issues and events not directly related to internal governance of the EIC Office or the university.

     B. Uphold the university’s mission with integrity. 

Integrity is a hallmark of ethical behavior. In acting with integrity, EIC Office members are expected to do what they say they will do, and support others in doing the same. 

    C. Follow laws, regulations and policies.

EIC Office members are expected to make every effort to ensure that their own actions comply with the law and align with existing university and unit policies.

If an EIC Office member learns that any actions within their unit are illegal or inconsistent with existing university or unit policies, the member is expected to notify the appropriate parties, and, where appropriate and feasible, take action in response.

     D. Model a culture of compliance and accountability.

EIC Office members are expected to model compliance and accountability in their actions by: 

1. Facilitating their own professional and personal growth and learning in response to changing community needs.
2. Understanding reporting responsibilities.
3. Setting clear expectations and addressing unmet expectations consistent with relevant policy when in positions of leadership.

     E. Manage resources responsibly.

As stewards of university resources, EIC Office members are expected to: 

1. Responsibly manage financial and human resources.
2. Place the interests of the university above the personal and/or financial interests of the EIC Office, their family members, and any personal associates. 
3. Disclose and effectively manage actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest through adherence to the guidelines set forth in university policy 201.65-1 (Conflicts of Interest and Conflicts of Commitment).
4. Appropriately manage private and confidential information consistent with federal, state, and local laws and regulations and university policies.

     F. Demonstrate fairness.

EIC Office members are expected to demonstrate fairness by: 

1. Considering relevant experiences and perspectives of colleagues, students, patients, faculty, and staff in decision-making, as appropriate. 
   1. Communicating candidly, respectfully, and truthfully with one another and community members.
   2. Respecting and defending the free inquiry of community members, even when it leads to findings and conclusions that differ from their own.
2. Demonstrating transparent decision-making.
   1. Striving to be objective in their professional judgment. 
   2. Supporting an environment where all can participate equitably, are invited to contribute, are accepted, and have a sense of belonging.

     G. Support Innovation.

As a global leader in innovation, research, patient care, and education, the university recognizes that new endeavors contain uncertainty and risk. As such, EIC Office members are expected to:

1. Innovate with respect to the mission and values, recognizing that:
   1. Risks are inherent to innovation, and thus, tolerable risks must be identified; and 
   2. Risks can be mitigated if innovation is pursued with the public service mission as the focal point.
2. Foster an environment where all can speak up and contribute to innovation by: 
   1. Encouraging participation by supporting individuals who take reasonable and calculated risks in a manner that is consistent with the university values; and
   2. Supporting experimentation, accepting reasonable failure when it occurs, and reprioritizing plans, programs, and/or activities as appropriate.