2007 Feb 28
For Immediate Release
GOVERNING BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES COMMUNITY BLUE RIBBON PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY CHANGES REGARDING ETHICS, INTERNAL CONTROLS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
February 27, 2007 (Tempe, AZ) – The Governing Board of the Maricopa Community College District tonight unanimously approved an extensive proposal for changes in the ethics, internal controls, and accountability policies of the District.
The approved changes, which strengthen existing controls and improve internal oversight by establishing more stringent requirements for reporting to the Governing Board and the Chancellor, include the recommendations of the Community Member Blue Ribbon Panel on Internal Controls, as well as Chancellor Rufus Glasper's additional recommendations for stronger controls. The new policies also will standardize the response to matters such as disciplinary action.
Chancellor Glasper asked each Maricopa employee to take an ethics review by posing a series of questions as they go about their daily responsibilities:
* Are there any ethical implications of my behavior?
* Does this activity contribute to the effort to restore public confidence in the Maricopa Community Colleges system?
* Is this an appropriate exercise of public stewardship?
He further explained that if there is any doubt, employees should disclose the question to their supervisor so he/she can help work through the issues involved.
"I believe if each of us thinks in this way, as an integral part of our daily responsibilities, we will successfully 'walk the talk' that we have been having for the last few weeks," said Dr. Glasper. "Doing so will restore confidence in what I believe is the finest community college system in the nation."
Some of the major policy changes approved tonight include:
Mandatory Public Stewardship and Ethics Training. Training of all employees in public stewardship and ethics and in the legal requirements of public sector employees will be mandatory. Additionally every employee will be required to acknowledge their review and understanding of the District's Conflict of Interest Policy annually. Additional scrutiny will be placed on special services contracts.
Enhanced Whistleblower / Ombudsperson Office. An internal ombudsperson's office, where employees can find a neutral, interested third party to help resolve issues and concerns, will be established. The existing whistleblower policy will be strengthened through the addition of the ombudsperson, reporting, and a hotline through which employees can voice their concerns anonymously.
Expanded Internal Audit Function. The mission and scope of the Internal Audit Department will be strengthened. Internal control policies will be defined to ensure that management understands it is responsible for internal controls. A community member will chair the Audit and Finance Committee.
Adoption of Employment Standards. A policy that sets forth the types of employee actions that will result in disciplinary action, including termination. The District's hiring policy is further clarified and all employees, on an annual basis, will be required to read and understand that policy.
Clearly Defined Travel Policies. A stricter policy that defines acceptable travel will focus on international travel that advances the District's mission. Each College will be required to provide an annual report to the Chancellor outlining all travel requests by employees and the benefits gained by the District from each trip.
Additionally, Chancellor Glasper will expand and strengthen the internal audit function within the District. He will be reviewing the internal audit activities of comparable organizations and enhancing the internal audit capabilities of the District based on the best practices of these peer organizations.