Whistleblower Policy

Purpose

It is the intent of The New School that its academic and administrative activities conform to applicable legal, ethical and professional standards and the University expects its trustees, faculty, administrators, staff, students and volunteers (“Members of the University community”) to conduct their activities in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local laws as well as University policies and procedures as set forth in the Employee Handbook, Student Handbook and Full-Time Faculty Handbook.

Policy

This policy is intended to encourage Members of the University community to disclose conduct that they believe violates applicable law and/or University policies and the overarching principle that the University’s resources are not to be used for personal gain (“misconduct or suspected misconduct”). The University expects that reports of misconduct or suspected misconduct will be made in good faith, and will reflect a real and legitimate concern that must be promptly investigated and addressed. The University will strive to keep disclosures confidential unless disclosure is required by applicable law or the failure to disclose would impede the University’s investigation of the reported misconduct or suspected misconduct.

This policy prohibits Members of the University community from retaliating against those who disclose misconduct or suspected misconduct pursuant to this policy. Any Member of the University community who reports a misconduct or suspected misconduct in good faith will be protected from harassment, retaliation or other adverse employment, academic or educational consequences. Anyone who harasses, intimidates or otherwise attempts to retaliate against a reporter will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment and possible referral for other civil and/or criminal sanctions.

Procedure

See below for Reporting and Investigation procedures.

Reporting

Internal Reporting Mechanisms: Members of the University community are encouraged to report misconduct or suspected misconduct to their immediate supervisor. If this is not a feasible option, the University has designated the following persons to receive, investigate and resolve complaints of misconduct or suspected misconduct as appropriate:

1. Academic Misconduct (faculty or student)
   Michael Schober, Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
   schober@newschool.edu
   66 West 12th Street, NYC, NY 10011
   212-229-5727 ext. 3110
   
2. Misconduct related to the University’s Personnel Practices
   Sonya Williams, Vice President for Human Resources
   williasy@newschool.edu
   66 West 12th Street, NYC, NY 10011
   212-229-5600 ext. 3803
   
3. Fiscal Misconduct
   Loretta Ferrari, Vice President of Financial Operations and Budget
   ferraril@newschool.edu
   66 West 12th Street, NYC, NY 10011
   Phone: 212-229-5860 ext. 3505
   
4. All Other Misconduct
   Alex Perez, General Counsel
   Alex.perez@newschool.edu
   66 West 12th Street, NYC, NY 10011
   212-229-5671 ext. 4900
   
   and/or;
   
   Jane DeFlorio, Chair of the Board of Trustees Audit and Risk Committee
   auditchair@newschool.edu
   Phone: 212-229-5432

External Reporting Mechanisms: Members of the University community who wish to report their concerns anonymously, may contact EthicsPoint, a third-party provider of confidential reporting services retained by the University to accept anonymous reports. Contact them at tnssecure.ethicspoint.com.

Investigations/Corrective Actions

The designated persons will be responsible for investigating reports made to them or to EthicsPoint, unless one of the members is the subject of the report; in those cases the Chair of the Board of Trustees Audit and Risk Committee will conduct the investigation.

Corrective actions in response to a report will be made to the President and Provost for approval and implementation.

The designated persons will make annual reports to the Board of Trustees Audit and Risk Committee of all reports made and corrective actions, if any, taken.

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