| Policy Title | Fraud and Irregularities / Compliance Hotline Policy |
|---|---|
| Responsible Office | Risk Management and Administrative Compliance |
| Policy Type | Personnel and Payroll |
| Policy Number | 631 |
| Last Revision Date | 6/30/2026 |
Summary
Binghamton University will investigate and report suspected fraud and irregularities and will not tolerate retaliation against community members reporting in good faith.
Policy
Binghamton University is committed to upholding the highest standard of honest behavior, ethical conduct, and fiduciary responsibility with respect to campus funds, resources, and property. The University seeks to prevent and detect any fraud or irregularities and will diligently pursue any instance that involves University-related activities or business.
Protection from Retaliation
Binghamton University prohibits retaliation against employees and individuals who report suspected fraud, waste, or abuse in good faith, in alignment with New York State law. Reports of retaliation are thoroughly investigated through established procedures, and the university provides support to reporters to ensure a safe, ethical environment. If an individual believes that they have been retaliated against for reporting a compliance concern or for participating in a compliance investigation, that individual should follow the guidelines outlined in our Non-Retaliation policy.
Acting in Good Faith
Employees and individuals who report suspected fraud or irregularities must act in good faith and have reasonable grounds for making the report. Allegations that prove to have been made with malicious intent or knowingly to be false are not protected under the good faith standard and are therefore subject to discipline up to and including termination.
Responsibility
It is the policy of Binghamton University that all members of the campus community:
- comply with all campus and SUNY policies and procedures; New York State and federal laws, and regulations;
- practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling their responsibilities;
- observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities;
- help ensure the prevention and detection of fraud and irregularities;
- be familiar with the types of fraud and irregularities that might occur in their area;
- be alert for any indication that fraud or irregularities might exist in their area; and
- promptly report any known or suspected fraud or irregularities involving campus or affiliated entity funds, resources, property, or employees.
It is the responsibility of managers and supervisors to
- Maintain a work environment that promotes ethical and honest behaviors;
- Maintain confidentiality during investigations of fraud or irregularities;
- Notify Internal Audit or Risk Management and Administrative Compliance when sufficient facts and circumstances exist to create a reasonable suspicion that a fraud or irregularity has occurred;
- Support employees and protect them against retaliation with regards to reports of suspected fraud or irregularities.
Definitions
Fraud and irregularities include activities that are (1) a misappropriation of assets;
(2) in violation of or non- compliant with any SUNY, New York State, or federal law,
regulation, policy or procedure; (3) economically wasteful; (4) an indication of gross
misconduct or incompetency; or (5) an unethical, improper, or dishonest act. Examples
of improprieties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Theft of any State or SUNY asset, including, but not limited to, money, tangible property, trade secrets, or intellectual property;
- Misappropriation, misapplication, destruction, removal, or concealment of State or SUNY property;
- Inappropriate use of computer systems, including hacking and software piracy;
- Unauthorized disclosure of confidential or proprietary information;
- Unauthorized disclosure of student educational records, personal information, or medical information;
- Authorizing or receiving compensation for hours not worked or covered by appropriate and available leave;
- Fraudulent or otherwise deceptive financial reporting;
- Credit card and travel expense fraud;
- Use of staff to perform personal errands, services or tasks;
- Alteration or falsification of documents;
- False claims by students, employees, vendors or others associated with SUNY; and
- Bribery, kickbacks, bid rigging and conflicts of interest.
Confidentiality and Anonymity
Every attempt will be made to maintain the confidentiality of individual reporters
to the Fraud and Irregularities / Compliance Reporting Hotline. However, in some situations, this may prohibit the
effectiveness of an investigation, and for this reason, it cannot be guaranteed.
Procedures for Reporting Fraud and Irregularities
Employees are encouraged to speak first with their supervisor or with a University official who has oversight for the area in question. All reporters are encouraged to use the Binghamton University Fraud and Irregularities / Compliance Reporting web-based platform at https://ethicssuite.com/binghamton or telephonic hotline at 844-469-6402, hosted by third-party provider EthicsSuite. When reporting suspected fraud or irregularities, reporters are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible, including a location, description of the incident, individuals involved, dates, and financial loss, if any.
EthicsSuite allows a reporter to remain anonymous, yet allows a reporter to view the status of their case. The platform also allows compliance officers to interact with a reporter while the reporter remains anonymous.
Reporting Options
| Your supervisor | As appropriate |
| Provost, vice president, dean, director | As appropriate |
| Internal Audit | 607-777-2128 |
| Risk Management and Administrative Compliance |
607-777-7475 |
| Ethics Officer | 607-777-2187 |
| Binghamton University EthicsSuite Reporting Hotline and Website |
844-469-6402 https://ethicssuite.com/binghamton |
| University Police | 607-777-2393 (non-emergency) https://www.binghamton.edu/police/ |
| University Police Anonymous Tips | https://www.binghamton.edu/police/anonymous-tips.html |
| Research Foundation at Binghamton Compliance |
607-777-3824 https://www.binghamton.edu/research/division-offices/research-compliance/ |
| Research Foundation Ethics Hotline - Speak-Up RF |
https://rfsuny.integrityline.us/ |
| Executive Director of Binghamton University Foundation |
607-777-6844 |
| University Ombudsman | 607-777-2388 |
Investigation
Compliance officers who receive notification of reports will consider the allegations, gather additional information, and coordinate an investigation, as appropriate.
All reports will be reviewed objectively and without regard to the suspected individual’s
length of service, position, title, or relationship with the university. The university
will make every effort to
maintain confidentiality throughout the investigation, to the extent permitted by
law. Due to the confidential nature of certain actions of the university as part of
the investigation process, the
reporting individual may not be informed of the specific resolution of the matter.
Related Policies
SUNY System Report Fraud
Related Information Links
- SUNY Policy 6001 Conflict of Interest
- New York State Public Officers Law §73, Business or professional activities by state officers and employees and party officers
- New York State Public Officers Law §73a, Financial Disclosure
- NYS Public Officers Law §74, Code of Ethics
- New York State Labor Law § 740, Information on retaliatory action by employers; prohibition (whistleblower protection)
- New York State Civil Service Law § 75-b, Public Sector Whistleblower Law
| Date | Description | Responsible Party |
| 6/30/2026 | Revise policy to remove redundant definitions, update hotline information, and procedure for reporting fraud, waste, & abuse. | Internal Audit & Risk Management |