By Jackie Todd, Office of University Relations
The number of laws and regulations that govern day-to-day life for faculty and staff at Clemson continues to multiply and the consequences for failing to comply can be costly – professionally and personally.
The new Office of University Compliance was established to coordinate the compliance activities that have been ongoing at all levels of the university in a variety of areas such as research safety, environmental safety, export controls, information security – and much more. Director of University Compliance Erin Swann said that the office will work with “compliance partners” throughout Clemson to ensure that there is an awareness of and coordinated effort with various areas that are already doing meaningful compliance work at Clemson. Compliance partners include Athletics Compliance, Human Resources and Research Compliance – just to name a few.
“The regulatory landscape that governs higher education is extensive and complicated,” she explained. “Clemson has been engaged in appropriate compliance activities throughout the university, but this office helps coordinate those activities and brings a university strategy to those efforts. We want to be thinking proactively about compliance, instead of reacting to issues as they arise.”
Swann, who was a member of the university’s Office of General Counsel for a decade, returned to Clemson in September 2017 to create the new office. She sees the Office of University Compliance as a partner, advocate and resource for faculty, staff and students who are faced with compliance hurdles. As she leads this effort, her goals are simple, but important:
- Develop an enterprise compliance program that will help Clemson successfully navigate its obligations under the regulatory landscape that governs higher education.
- Enhance the culture of compliance in which every member of the Clemson family understands that (s)he plays a role in doing the right thing.
- Educate the university’s faculty, staff and students about the resources that are available to them and empower them to use those resources.
A key driver of the education goal is the University Office of Compliance’s new web page that lists and connects to compliance partners. An easy-to-read infographic helps web page visitors navigate the considerations and decision-making process of compliance reporting. Finally, the page lists resources that are available to faculty, staff and students.
Swann noted that among the many options for reporting compliance concerns is the University’s Ethics/Safety hotline. Operated by a third-party vendor, information reported through the hotline can be completely confidential.
Her message to faculty, staff and students is that they have the power to make a difference in helping Clemson do the right thing.
“Everyone is empowered at Clemson to report concerns without fear of retaliation and to be taken seriously,” she said. “This protection against retaliation is a critical part of our fabric.”
For questions or more information, visit the Office of University Compliance web page.
–With Erin Swann
