Volume III: Ethics Chapter A: Conduct Responsible Executive: President Responsible Office: Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance Date Issued: July 15, 2010 Date Last Revised: October 15, 2026
Contacts Statement of Policy Reason for This PolicyIndividuals and Entities AffectedExclusionsResponsibilities Definitions (defined terms are capitalized throughout the document)Related Documents, Forms and ToolsWebsite Address for This PolicyHistory and UpdatesAppendix
Vice President for Ethics and Compliance 765-494-5830 | vpec@purdue.edu
Purdue University is committed to protecting from Retaliation individuals who, acting in good faith, disclose unlawful or fraudulent Misconduct. Retaliation against any individual for making a Good Faith Disclosure, participating in an investigation of a Good Faith Disclosure, or enforcing this policy is strictly prohibited. Overt or covert acts of Retaliation against an individual or group for exercising rights or responsibilities under this policy will be subject to appropriate and prompt disciplinary or remedial action. Reporting Individuals involved in activities supported by federal awards also are protected under federal whistleblower laws, which protect disclosures related to federal grant or contract oversight, waste, Fraud, abuse, and public safety concerns.
All University faculty, staff and students are required to follow the policies set forth by the University to maintain and uphold the integrity and quality of education provided by Purdue University. If an individual knows of an unlawful or fraudulent act of Misconduct, including but not limited to theft, bribery, misuse of property, Fraud, violation of University policy, violation of state and/or federal law or regulation, or coercion by a University faculty or staff member to commit an unlawful act, they are encouraged to contact the appropriate University official (see Operating Procedures for Good Faith Disclosures and Appendix A).
This policy is not to be used to bring knowingly false allegations of Misconduct against any employee, student, volunteer, agent or contractor. Disciplinary action will be taken against any individual found to have made a report of Misconduct in bad faith, or any individual who, in bad faith, is found to have encouraged another person or group to make such a report.
This policy is meant to protect from Retaliation any person who is making a Good Faith Disclosure to University officials.
All units, students, faculty, staff, volunteers, agents and contractors of Purdue University.
There are no exclusions to this policy.
Managers and Supervisors
Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance
Reporting Individual
All defined terms are capitalized throughout the document. Refer to the central Policy Glossary for additional defined terms.
Fraud Any act or instance of conscious deception made for personal gain. Acts of Fraud include, but are not limited to theft, embezzlement, improper reporting of time (e.g., timecard, sick or vacation leave reporting), illegal or fraudulent payments, misuse of cash or University resources, diversion of or lack of timely deposit of University revenues, credit card fraud, or inappropriate communication of confidential information (e.g., social security number, other protected personal or financial information).
Good Faith Disclosure Any communication or report about actual or suspected Misconduct engaged in by a University employee, student, volunteer, agent or contractor (who is not also the Reporting Individual) based upon a good faith and reasonable belief that the conduct has both occurred and is wrongful under applicable law, regulation and/or University policy. Communications or reports made in good faith do not disregard facts that would refute such communication or report and are not based upon bias, malice or other ill intent.
Misconduct Any act that violates a University policy or state or federal law or regulation being committed by a University employee, student, volunteer, agent or contractor. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to Fraud, theft, bribery, misuse of University property, waste, mismanagement of funds, abuse of authority, or coercion by a University faculty or staff member to commit an unlawful act.
Preponderance of the Evidence The evidence supporting a finding is more convincing than the evidence offered in opposition to it.
Reporting Individual Any employee, student, volunteer, agent, contractor or other person who makes a Good Faith Disclosure.
Retaliation Any overt or covert adverse action, including but not limited to harassment, demotion, expulsion, suspension, reassignment or termination, against any person for making a Good Faith Disclosure, participating in an investigation involving a Good Faith Disclosure, or enforcing this policy.
Purdue University’s Anonymous Reporting Line Purdue University’s program to allow for anonymous reports of Fraud and/or Misconduct.
Purdue University’s Anonymous Reporting Line website
Complaint of Retaliation Form (PDF)
ARRA Notice (PDF)
Indiana Code 21-39-3
Federal Code of Regulations (see 2 CFR 200.217, 41 U.S.C. 4712)
Policies and Procedures:
www.purdue.edu/vpec/policies/ethics/iiia4
October 15, 2026: Included statement regarding protection under federal whistleblower laws. Updated Appendix A.
November 20, 2019: Separated procedures from the policy. Updated contact information in Appendix A.
November 18, 2011: Policy number changed to III.A.4 (formerly X.1.2) and website address updated. Related documents section updated as well.
January 1, 2011: This policy supersedes Protection Against Reprisal for Good Faith Disclosures (Whistleblower Protection), Interim (X.1.2), dated July 15, 2010.
July 15, 2010: This is the first policy to address this issue.
Individuals are encouraged to report Misconduct to an appropriate University official. Concerns relating to specific areas may be reported to the officials listed below.
Anonymous ReportingPurdue University’s Anonymous Reporting Line866-818-2620 | Hotline website
Compliance with Laws and RegulationsVice President for Ethics and Compliance765-494-5830 | vpec@purdue.edu
ResearchAssociate Vice Chancellor for Researchresearch@pfw.edu
AthleticsSenior Associate Athletic Director260-481-0281
Criminal MattersUniversity Police260-481-6827 | police@pfw.edu
Employment MattersHuman Resources260-481-6840 | hr@pfw.edu
Student MattersVice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and the Student Experience260-481-6140 | vcsa@pfw.edu
Financial MattersVice Chancellor for Financial and Administrative Affairs260-481-6105
Discrimination or HarassmentOffice for Civil Rights Compliance260-481-6107 | civilrights@pfw.edu
Information Technology SecurityInformation Technology Services260-481-6030
Health and SafetyEnvironmental Health and Safety260-481-4193 | ehs@pfw.edu
ResearchDirector, Research and Sponsored Programs219-989-4131
AthleticsAssociate Athletic Director for Compliance219-989-8082
Criminal MattersUniversity Police219-989-2220 or 219-785-5220 | Campus_Police@pnw.edu
Employment MattersHuman Resources219-989-2251 | hr@pnw.edu
Student MattersVice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs219-989-2367| vcemsa@pnw.edu
Financial MattersVice Chancellor for Finance and Administration219-989-2232 | financeandbusinessservices@pnw.edu
Discrimination or HarassmentOffice for Civil Rights219-989-3169 or 219-785-5545 | civilrights@pnw.edu
Information Technology SecurityPurdue Systems Security (PSS)765-494-4000 | itpolicyanswers@purdue.edu
Health and SafetyOccupational Health and Safety Specialist219-989-2724
ResearchResearch Integrity Officer765-496-6071 | researchintegrity@purdue.edu
AthleticsAssociate Athletics Director – Compliance765-494-7269
Criminal MattersUniversity Police765-494-8221 | police@purdue.edu
Employment MattersVice President for Human Resources765-494-7408 | hr@purdue.edu
Student MattersDean of Students765-494-1747 | odos@purdue.edu
Financial MattersInternal Audit Officeiadirector@purdue.edu
Discrimination or HarassmentOffice for Civil Rights494-7255 | ocr@purdue.edu
Information Technology SecurityInformation Technology Security and Policy765-494-4000 | itpolicyanswers@purdue.edu
Health and SafetyEnvironmental Health and Safety765-494-6371 | ehs@purdue.edu