Office of Compliance and Risk Management (OCRM)

Report a Concern

UW-Whitewater students, employees, and volunteers play an important role in creating and maintaining a safe campus environment. Reporting concerns helps ensure the university can respond effectively to safety issues, misconduct, and potential policy or legal violations.

Reports may be submitted through the Integrity Hotline, an anonymous, online reporting system available to members of the campus community to report suspected violations of policies and standards. This system supports a culture of open and honest communication. The Integrity Hotline is not intended to replace emergency services. If you are facing an immediate threat to life or property, contact local law enforcement or call 9-1-1 immediately.

Please review the information below to learn about your reporting obligations as a member of the UW-Whitewater community. Each section is organized by type of conduct and explains what should be reported, when a report is required, how to submit a report, and where to find additional resources.

Sexual Misconduct, Harassment or Assault Reporting for Students

Under UWW Policy #122: Sexual Misconduct Information (Title IX), as well as applicable state and federal laws, acts of sexual violence and sexual harassment are prohibited on university property, at university-sanctioned or university-affiliated events, and in off-campus situations that affect members of the university community. It is important for all members of the UW-Whitewater community to be informed about these issues to respond effectively and address any conduct that violates policy or law.

The information below provides guidance and resources to help campus community members identify, report, and respond to sexual misconduct, harassment, or assault.

Guidance for Faculty and Staff Members to Report Sexual Misconduct

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

Under the State of Wisconsin’s Executive Order #54, all UW System employees, in the course of their employment, are required to immediately report child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services (CPS) or law enforcement if they observe an incident or threat of child abuse or neglect, learn of such an incident or threat, or have reasonable cause to believe that child abuse or neglect has occurred or may occur. At UW-Whitewater, volunteers and contractors involved in university-sponsored programs or activities are also expected to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

For the purposes of child abuse and neglect reporting, a “child” is defined as a person under 18 years of age (Wis. Stat. § 48.02(2)). 

The following signs of child abuse and neglect should be reported:

Physical Abuse

  • Bruises, welts on face, neck, chest, back
  • Injuries in the shape of object (belt, cord)
  • Unexplained burns on palms, soles of feet, back
  • Fractures that do not fit the story of how an injury occurred
  • Delay in seeking medical help
  • Extremes in behavior: very aggressive or withdrawn and shy
  • Afraid to go home
  • Frightened of parents
  • Fearful of other adults
  • Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse

  • Pain, swelling, or itching in genital area
  • Bruises, bleeding, discharge in genital area
  • Difficulty walking or sitting, frequent urination, pain
  • Stained or bloody underclothing
  • Venereal disease
  • Refusal to take part in gym or other exercises
  • Poor peer relationships
  • Unusual interest in sex for age
  • Drastic change in school achievement
  • Runaway or delinquent behavior
  • Regressive or childlike behavior

Neglect

  • Poor hygiene, odor
  • Inappropriately dressed for weather
  • Needs medical or dental care
  • Left alone, unsupervised for long periods
  • Failure to thrive, malnutrition
  • Constant hunger, begs, or steals food
  • Extreme willingness to please
  • Frequent absence from school
  • Arrives early and stays late at school or play areas or other people’s homes

Emotional Abuse

  • Low self-esteem
  • Self-denigration
  • Severe depression
  • Unusual level of aggression
  • Severe anxiety
  • Extreme withdrawal
  • Failure to learn

Threatened Abuse of Neglect

  • Minor injuries that are cause for concern, including bruising on a non-mobile child; bruising or scrapes to vulnerable parts of a child’s body; or an escalating pattern of corporal punishment that increases in severity or frequency.
  • Exposure to violence, even if a child has not yet been injured, when there is domestic violence or a violent person in the home.
  • Exposure to dangerous people or situations, including previous abusers or criminal activity.
  • An impaired caregiver, when there is no one else in the home to provide necessary care or protection.

Abuse as Manufacturing of Methamphetamine

Consider the possibility of meth manufacture in a child’s environment when you see or become aware of the following in a child, particularly in combination:

  • Painful or burning eyes or eye irritation
  • Skin irritation and redness or burns
  • Sneezing and chronic coughing, congestion, or fever
  • Chest pain, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath
  • Vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea
  • Headaches
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Jaundice or dark-colored urine
  • Extreme irritability

Reports must be made immediately for any suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect when an employee, volunteer, or contractor, in the course of their employment or service, observes, learns of, or has reasonable cause to believe that child abuse or neglect has or may occur. 

If there is an emergency or a child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

If the situation is not an immediate emergency, reports must still be made by contacting one of the following by telephone or in person:

UW-Whitewater Police Department

  • Address: Goodhue Hall, 790 W. Starin Road, Whitewater, WI 53190
  • Phone: 262-472-4660

Whitewater Police Department

  • Address: 312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
  • Phone: 262-473-0555

Jefferson County Human Services Department

  • Address: 1541 Annex Road, Jefferson WI 53549
  • Phone: 920-674-3105

Rock County Human Services Department

  • Address: 1717 Center Avenue, Janesville, WI 53546
  • Phone: 608-757-5025

Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services

  • Address: 1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn, WI 53121
  • Phone: 262-741-3200

Child Protective Services (CPS) Agency

Reports must NOT be submitted by voicemail or email.

When making a report, clearly explain what happened or what is currently happening to the child. Describe the nature of the suspected abuse or neglect and the involved parties. Provide as much detail as possible, including the name, address, and telephone number of the child and the name of the parent or caregiver, if known. Even if you do not know all of this information, report what you do know.

Additional information and resources related to youth protection and child abuse and neglect reporting are available through the following:

Clery Crimes on Campus Reporting

The Clery Act requires all federally funded institutions to disclose information about campus crime, outline security policies and procedures, and report initiatives taken throughout the year to enhance campus safety. The UW-Whitewater Police Department, in collaboration with Campus Security Authorities (CSAs), work to identify, report, and respond to criminal activity and potential safety threats.

Students and other campus community members who experience or witness a crime may report it, if they feel comfortable, to a Campus Security Authority (CSA). A CSA is a university official who has significant interaction with students and maintains a role that goes beyond classroom instruction.

Examples of CSAs include, but are not limited to:

  • Coaches and athletic support staff
  • Academic advisors
  • Residence hall directors and assistants
  • Title IX Coordinator
  • Student organization advisors and coordinators

If a faculty or staff member, who is not a CSA, witnesses or receives a report of a Clery-reportable crime, they are required to forward that information to a CSA.

The following crimes are considered Clery-reportable offenses:

General Crimes

  • Murder/ Non-negligent Manslaughter
  • Manslaughter by Negligence
  • Robbery
  • Aggravated Assault
  • Burglary
  • Motor Vehicle Theft
  • Arson
  • Hazing

Hate Crimes - Includes any of the above crimes, as well as the crimes listed below, when they are determined to have occurred as a hate crime.

  • Larceny-Theft
  • Simple Assault
  • Intimidation
  • Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property.

Sex Offenses - Sexual Assault, including:

  • Rape
  • Fondling
  • Statutory Rape
  • Incest

Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking

  • Dating Violence
  • Domestic Violence
  • Stalking

Weapons Law Violations

Drug Law Violations

Alcohol Law Violations

Crimes are reportable under the Clery Act if they occurred in any of the following locations:

  • On-campus property, including student housing, core campus buildings, and areas within one mile of campus.
  • Off-campus but on owned and/or controlled property by UW-Whitewater (includes trips that meet specific Clery criteria).
  • On public property that goes through or is directly adjacent to the campus.
  • Non-campus property, which may include Greek housing

Crimes should be reported as soon as possible after they occur or are reported to a CSA. Timely reporting enables the university to address potential safety concerns and issue a campus-wide alert when necessary. 

Students and employees who are not Campus Security Authorities (CSA) should report crimes to a CSA as soon as possible. Once the report is received, the CSA will take the following steps:

1. Address Immediate Emergencies
If there is an immediate threat or emergency, the CSA will call 9-1-1 and/or the UW-Whitewater Police Department at 262-472-4660.

2. Take the Report
If the situation is not an emergency, the CSA will ask the reporting party for information to complete the CSA report. Specific information would include:

  • Date the incident occurred
  • Location of the incident
  • What occurred during the incident
  • Names of persons involved. Anonymous reports can be made. We ask that names be included so multiple reports for the same incident will not be counted. Names are NEVER used in any public Clery report.

  • Does the reporting party want to make a report to the police- It is important for victims to know that even if they do not desire an investigation at the time, they can always request one in the future.

    If yes, the CSA will coordinate the reporting process with the UW-Whitewater Police Department by calling 262-472-4660 or by visiting Goodhue Hall, 790 W. Starin Road, Whitewater, WI 53190.

  • The CSA will then complete the CSA Reporting Form
    • The CSA will input as much information as they can into the reporting form.
    • Even if the CSA helped the reporting party report to the police, the CSA must also complete the CSA Reporting Form.

3. Provide Confidential Support Resources
If the reporting party is a survivor of a sex offense and the UW-Whitewater Police Department is not involved, they should be encouraged to use confidential reporting and support through University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS).

Employees may access confidential counseling and support through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by contacting Human Resources at 262-472-1024.

4. Do Not Investigate the Crime
CSAs should not investigate the reported incident or attempt to determine whether a crime occurred. Their role is limited to reporting the information in the CSA Reporting Form.

All investigations will be conducted by the appropriate law enforcement agency.

To learn more about the reporting process, please visit the Campus Security Reporting webpage.

Additional information and resources related to the Clery Act and crime reporting are available through the following:

Ethics & Outside Activities Reporting

UW-Whitewater is committed to upholding ethical conduct and institutional best practices in accordance with Chapter UWS 8: Unclassified Staff Code of Ethics. Employees are expected to act with honesty, integrity, and transparency in both their professional roles and outside activities, recognizing the responsibility that comes with public service.

Employees should review and comply with the code of ethics applicable to their role. Employees subject to Chapter UWS 8 are required to track and report outside activities in accordance with UW System and institutional requirements. If there is uncertainty about whether an activity or action may present a conflict of interest or violate ethical standards, employees are encouraged to consult with their direct supervisor, college dean, department or division head, Human Resources, or the Institutional Ethics Committee.

Institutional Ethics Committee

The Institutional Ethics Committee provides guidance to employees and students regarding ethical questions, conflicts of interest, outside activities, and other matters involving institutional ethics. The Committee also serves as a resource for employees seeking to better understand their ethical responsibilities and make informed decisions consistent with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and University expectations.

Employees and students may submit questions or requests for guidance to the Institutional Ethics Committee when they are uncertain about how an ethical requirement applies to a particular situation. The Committee reviews matters brought before it and provides guidance based on the circumstances and applicable requirements.

Public Records & Confidentiality

Please be aware that submitting a request to the Institutional Ethics Committee is not the same as making a confidential or anonymous report through the  Integrity Hotline reporting option. Since UW-Whitewater is a public institution, requests submitted to the Institutional Ethics Committee and related records may be subject to disclosure under Wisconsin's Public Records Law.

The Committee will conduct its deliberations and discussions regarding matters brought before it in closed session pursuant to Chapter UWS 8.035. Closed-session discussion does not necessarily mean that the underlying request, correspondence, or other records associated with a matter are confidential or exempt from disclosure.

Individuals who require a confidential or anonymous reporting option should use the Integrity Hotline reporting option described above.

To promote transparency and in compliance with Chapter UWS 8.035, UW-Whitewater will publish an annual public report summarizing the ethics matters and questions brought to the Institutional Ethics Committee and the general guidance or advice provided to the campus community. The annual report will not identify individuals or include information that is protected from disclosure under applicable law.  Please reach out to ocrm@uww.edu for a copy of the annual report.

Pursuant to UWS 8.025, the following activities should be reported to your dean, director or other appropriate administrator:

Remunerative Relationships
Any professionally related outside activity where you receive payment, transfer of goods or provision of services at any point of the year.

Information that must be reported about remunerative relationships includes:

  • Name of organizations and/or businesses
  • Type of activity (e.g. consulting, teaching, researching)
  • Aggregate time spent on the activity
  • Whether you received $5,000 or more in compensation from a single source in a calendar year

Offerships, Directorships and Trusteeships
Any officerships, directorships, trusteeships held by you or members of your immediate family in businesses or commercial organizations related to your professional field.

Ownership Interests
Any ownership interests in organizations related to your academic area of specialization where you or your immediate family collectively owns more than 10% of the equity.

  • Activities for which remuneration comes from university administered funds (e.g., teaching and innovation awards, etc.).
  • Remunerative ordinary professional activities which extend an unclassified staff member’s normal institutional responsibilities of teaching, research and service to serving other public institutions, organizations, and professional societies. Examples include:
    • Occasional lectures, colloquia, seminars, etc., given at colleges and universities and at meetings of professional societies.
    • Preparation of monographs, chapters and editorial services for nonprofit educational organizations.
    • Service on advisory committees and evaluation panels for government funding agencies, nonprofit foundations and educational organizations.
    • Leadership positions in professional societies.

Outside activities must be reported annually on or before April 30 each year. Reportable activities include remunerative relationships, officerships, directorships, and ownership interests that occur at any time during the year, even if you are not under contract with UW-Whitewater for part of that time.

If there are any changes to your reportable outside activities, you must inform your dean, director or other appropriate administrator in writing as soon as possible. This information will be placed on file with your annual statement.

Outside professional activities may not create a conflict of commitment with your UW-Whitewater duties. If your aggregate time commitment to one or more outside professional activities will exceed an average of 16 hours per calendar month during normal work hours, you must obtain prior written approval from your supervisor.

You must report outside activities using both of the following methods:

  • Complete your annual statement of outside interests, and submit it to your college, department, or unit lead.
  • Report any changes to your outside activities in writing to your dean, director, or other appropriate administrator as soon as possible.

Waste, Fraud and/or Abuse Reporting

UW-Whitewater is committed to fostering an environment of integrity and open communication. The university encourages individuals to report concerns related to potential policy violations or other activities that may constitute waste, fraud, or abuse.

The information below provides guidance and resources to help campus community members identify and report potential waste, fraud, or abuse.

According to the Office of Inspector General, concerns related to waste, fraud, or abuse should be reported when they meet the following definitions:

Waste
The thoughtless or careless expenditure, mismanagement, or abuse of resources to the detriment (or potential detriment) of UW-Whitewater or the UW System. This includes incurring unnecessary costs resulting from inefficient or ineffective practices, systems, or controls.

Fraud
The wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. This may include the false representation of fact, making false statements, or the concealment of information.

Abuse
Excessive or improper use of a thing, or to use something in a manner contrary to the natural or legal rules for its use. Abuse may occur in both financial and non-financial settings. 

If you witness or are aware of activities that constitute waste, fraud, or abuse, you should report it to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible. 

If you believe there may be an incident of waste, fraud, or abuse at UW-Whitewater, the following options are available for reporting:

  • Chief Human Resources Officer
    Connie Putland
    Phone: 262-472-1024
    Email: putlandc@uww.edu
  • Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administrative Affairs
    Brenda Jones
    Phone: 262-472-1922
    Email: jonesbl@uww.edu
  • UW System
    The UW System provides an anonymous avenue for reporting activities that may involve waste, fraud, or abuse via EthicsPoint or (855) 827-4950. Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB). The Wisconsin LAB provides various avenues to report activities that may involve waste, fraud, or abuse via a secure online form, calling 877-372-8317, or printing a form and mailing it to 22 East Mifflin Street, Suite 500, Madison, Wisconsin 53703.

Additional information and resources related to waste, fraud and abuse reporting are available through the following:

Consensual Relationship Reporting

Under Regent Policy Document 14-8: Consensual Relationships, employees are required to disclose consensual romantic or sexual relationships with a student or another employee when a power differential exists or may reasonably be anticipated. Disclosure enables the university to identify and address conflicts of interest and mitigate adverse effects on the individuals involved.

The information below provides guidance and resources to help employees identify and report consensual romantic or sexual relationships that fall within the scope of RPD 14-8. 

You must report any consensual romantic or sexual relationship where a power differential exists to your supervisor/department chair, the hiring official, or the administrator who supervises the hiring official, including situations involving:

  • A consensual relationship between an instructor and a student when the student is currently under the instructor’s instruction or is reasonably expected to be under the instructor’s instruction in the future.
  • A consensual relationship between an employee, who is not an instructor, and a student over whom the employee has supervisory, advisory, evaluative, or other authority or influence.
  • A previously existing consensual relationship between an instructor and a student in which the instructor later gains supervisory, advisory, evaluative, or other authority or influence over the student.
  • A consensual relationship between two employees where one employee has, or is reasonably expected to have, supervisory, advisory, evaluative, or other authority or influence over the other employee.

Failure to disclose a consensual relationship or to cooperate with actions taken to eliminate actual or potential conflicts of interest and mitigate adverse effects may result in disciplinary actions against the employee.

Consensual relationship concerns should be reported as soon as possible to the appropriate authority, particularly when:

  • A consensual relationship begins or already exists, and a power differential is present or reasonably anticipated.
  • There is reason to believe a relationship has not been properly disclosed.
  • Conflicts of interest, favoritism, or misuse of authority may exist.

Timely reporting allows the university to address conflicts of interest promptly and minimize potential harm to the individuals involved.

You should report any changes in a consensual relationship status to your supervisor/department chair, the hiring official, or the administrator who supervises the hiring official to avoid any potential policy violations.

If you witness or become aware of a potential violation of RPD 14-8: Consensual Relationships, report it to one of the following:

Title IX Coordinator

  • Emma Draper
  • Phone: 262-472-5940
  • Email: drapere@uww.edu

Chief Human Resource Officer

  • Connie Putland
  • Phone: 262-472-1024
  • Email: putlandc@uww.edu
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