Report Concerns
À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ relies on everyone — students, faculty and staff — to speak up. Reporting concerns helps us maintain a safe, ethical and inclusive environment for all.
Key Reporting Policies
Explore key policies that guide our operations and community standards. For a comprehensive list, access the full .
How Do I Report a Concern?
Reporting Fraud, Waste and Abuse
- : 1-855-461-2771
Report Discrimination
- : 865-974-0717
- Includes the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System Administration and the Institute for Public Service
- : 423-425-5824
- : 731-881-3505
- : 931-424-4073
- : 901-448-2112
Report Divisive Concepts
- : 1-855-461-2771
- Email: divisiveconcepts@tennessee.edu
- Child Abuse Hotline: 1-877-237-0004
Report Sexual Misconduct
- À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System Title IX Office: 865-974-9600
Other Reporting Options
- : 1-800-232-5454
Employees who report acts to the compliance hotline must have a reasonable, good faith basis to make the report.
What Should I Report?
The following are examples of acts that should be reported.
Fraud
Fraud is an intentional act of deception for personal gain or to benefit someone else. It includes things like stealing University funds or property, falsifying records or getting paid for work not done. More information can be found at .
Waste
Waste is using University resources in a careless or excessive way that doesn’t serve a clear purpose. It may not be illegal, but it leads to unnecessary loss or expense. More information can be found at .
Abuse
Abuse is the improper use of University resources or authority that falls short of ethical or professional standards. It can include actions taken for personal benefit that a reasonable person would see as excessive or inappropriate. More information can be found at .
Compliance
Includes violations of laws or À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ policies, such as safety rules, HIPAA, fiscal misconduct or retaliation against those who report concerns.
Investigations
When the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System Division of Audit and Compliance receives allegations of dishonesty or other irregularity by a À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ employee or an outside contractor or vendor, we are required by university policy to conduct an investigation (see for details).
Departmental management should not attempt to conduct their own investigations nor alert suspected employees of an impending investigation.
In an investigation, our objectives include:
- Verifying the facts
- Maintaining objectivity and confidentiality
- Determining responsibility
- Recommending corrective actions to help ensure that similar actions do not occur in the future
Protection Under State Law
When addressing allegations of fraud, waste or abuse, the division does not reveal the identity of the person making the allegation; however, once an investigation begins, the identity of the reporter may be deduced by the activities being reviewed or the nature of the questions asked. Also, even though state law exempts our investigative files from being disclosed publicly, disclosure may be necessary if the information is requested by subpoena, court order, or a federal agency.
Independence
The division reports directly to the Audit and Compliance Committee of the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Board of Trustees. This reporting relationship enables us to independently and objectively review matters involving any level of administration at the university.
Preventing Fraud in Your Department
Those who have undergone a fraud investigation understand how unsettling it can be to the department, employees and customers. By implementing the proper internal controls, you can take a proactive approach to preventing fraud, waste and abuse.
Examples of such controls include:
- Creating a culture of honesty and ethics
- Evaluating current processes and controls
- Developing an appropriate oversight process
Contact the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ System Division of Audit and Compliance if you need assistance in reviewing processes, evaluating controls or conducting internal control training.