UHCL Institutional Compliance Program
The UHCL Institutional Compliance Program was established to develop standards and procedures to help ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. Non-compliance with external rules and regulations may result in fines and penalties for the university, and the responsible employee(s) may be terminated, fined and/or imprisoned depending on the severity of the non-compliance.
Objectives and Responsibilities
The objective of the compliance committee is to proactively look at the way we conduct business to keep business going. It includes evaluating all areas for compliance, ethics, and other risks that would negatively affect the university, including potential fines for non-compliance from agencies or courts, loss of property or certifications or accreditations, personal injury, damage to reputation, disruption to service, etc.
The responsibilities of the UHCL Institutional Compliance Program include:
- Develop university-wide compliance program through training, monitoring and addressing/responding to non-compliance issues.
- Disseminate and interpret system policies.
- Manage university policies.
- Provide all employees with the training necessary to do their jobs and understand the relevant Compliance issues.
- Communication of compliance issues with executive management.
- Collaborate with management to identify, prioritize and address/manager university risk.
- Provide UHCL community with an opportunity to report issues of potential non-compliance in a manner that preserves confidentiality against improper retaliation.
Program Oversight
The Compliance Director and Compliance Committee are designated and charged with the responsibility for developing, operating and monitoring the compliance program.
Compliance committee members were chosen from each major function of the University to represent persons of authority for all areas on campus. This is in conjunction with the UH System guidance to appoint a cross-functional team from areas with high risk compliance issues, such as accreditation, employment, sponsored research, endowment, student relations, environmental health and safety, health care billing and confidentiality, etc.
Core Members
| Title | Areas of Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Vice Provost | Planning & Assessment, Sponsored Programs, Center for Faculty Development |
| VP Strategic Enrollment Management | Academic Records, Admissions, Financial Aid, International Admissions & Programs |
| Associate VP Facilities Management & Construction | Facilities & Building Maintenance, New Construction & Renovation, Automotive Repair, Grounds, Custodial, Parking and Transportation, Space Planning and Allocation |
| Associate VP Business Operations | Accounts Payable, Auxiliary Services, Contract Administration, General Accounting & Financial Reporting, General Support Services, Procurement, Student Business Services, Travel |
| Sr. Associate VP Information Technology | Neumann Library, Center for Engagement, Teaching, and Learning, Systems/Infrastructure, Academic Computing, Projects, Business Applications, Technology Learning, Institutional Research |
| VP Student Affairs | Academic Support Services, Student Life, Student Housing, Student DEI, Student Involvement and Leadership, Counseling Services, Career Services, Student Publications, Campus Recreation and Wellness, Student Health Services, Student Advocacy |
| AVP Human Resources/CHRO | Employee Benefits, Worker's Compensation, FERPA, HIPAA, Equal Employment, Sexual Harassment, Affirmative Action, Payroll, Employee Training and Development |
| Director of Environmental Health & Safety and Emergency Management | Environmental Health & Safety, Fire Safety, Lab Safety, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Heath, Training |
| Information Security Officer | Campus-wide Security Services |
| VP Administration & Finance | Business Operations, Campus Public Safety (University Police); Facilities, Maintenance, and Construction, Human Resources, and Planning and Budgeting |
| Director of Planned and Major Gifts | University Advancement |
| AVP/COO Pearland | UHCL at Pearland Representative |
| Faculty Senate Representative | Faculty Senate Representative |
Confidential Reporting Hotline
Fraud & Non-Compliance Reporting Hotline
The Program has in place a confidential reporting hotline in the link found above allowing employees, students and others to report, either confidentially or anonymously, criminal conduct or other non-compliant behavior by others without fear of retaliation. The identity of reporters of non-compliance shall be confidential in accordance with Texas Education Code 51.971. The confidential reporting system is coordinated with the System-wide Compliance Officer, the Office of General Counsel, and the Office of Internal Audit.