Where to Report a Concern
Boston University recognizes its obligation to maintain the highest ethical standards, and the University’s commitment to ethics is codified through its Code of Ethical Conduct. The President Statement of Commitment to Ethical Conduct further reinforces that each Boston University community member shares the responsibility to promote a positive and ethical environment.
To that end, members of the University community are expected to report concerns of suspected or alleged unethical conduct, noncompliance or violations of university policy, or law, or regulations, fraud, or any other improper conduct. In many circumstances, BU employees must report any suspected misconduct to the appropriate office.
If you have reason to believe that violations of Boston University policy or other misconduct has occurred, including fraud, violations of the law, or other improper conduct, you should report your concerns through one of the following mechanisms listed on this webpage.
If you are unsure about whether to report, or where and how to report your specific concern(s), please contact the Compliance Services Office for assistance at comply@bu.edu or through phone at 617-358-8090. Our goal is to ensure your report is sent to the appropriate University office and officials so that the concerns can be investigated and addressed appropriately.
BU Ethics and Compliance Hotline
The University has established an anonymous reporting hotline, independently administered by a third-party provider NAVEX EthicsPoint, to allow for anonymous and confidential reporting of activities that may involve improper conduct or violations of Boston University policies. All reports will be investigated promptly and discreetly by the University, receiving careful consideration with the objective of addressing any improper conduct or violation of University policy. This hotline is not a substitute for, nor does it supersede, any existing reporting methods or protocols for handling concerns and complaints. If you would like to report your concern to Boston University directly and are uncertain how to begin, contact Compliance Services (comply@bu.edu; 617-358-8090) for assistance.
Reporting Concerns Confidentially
Reporting Bias Concerns or Incidents
All complaints or incidents related to a person’s characteristics that are protected by law – such as shared ancestry, ethnicity, race, national origin, religion, gender, and others – must be reported through the University’s Equal Opportunity Office. Once the EOO receives those reports, a Bias Review Team will address those that that fall outside of EOO’s purview.
Reporting Sexual Misconduct, Harassment or Discrimination
Reporting to a Supervisor
You are encouraged to discuss any concerns directly with your supervisor, unit or department head, dean or senior leader responsible for your area.
Reporting to the Responsible Office
Consider contacting the individuals responsible for specific areas of compliance, which are identified in the Compliance Matrix.
Office/Source – For Specific Issue(s)
- Equal Opportunity Office – Harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, and any bias concerns or incidents
Email: eoo@bu.edu; EOO’s Incident report Form
- Global Programs – Academic programs, research or travel abroad
Email: global@bu.edu; Refer to Global Programs website for specific contact information
- Human Resources – Employment issues
Email: hr@bu.edu; Phone: 617-353-2380
- Internal Audit – Financial, fraud, compliance or ethical issues
All general inquiries for Internal Audit & Advisory Services, under Financial Affairs, should be submitted through our Customer Service Portal. If you would prefer to connect by phone, please call Internal Audit & Advisory Services at 617-353-2215. If you are unable to reach someone at that number, please contact Financial Affairs Administration at 617-353-2290 during normal business hours (Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm).
- Office of the General Counsel – Legal or ethical issues or questions
Email: buogc@bu.edu Phone: 617-353-2326
Boston University’s Office of the General Counsel represents the University. University attorneys cannot provide personal legal advice. Resources for personal legal advice and resources for students are available. If you need legal assistance in connection with University business, please submit a request for assistance.
- Office of the Provost – Academic affairs, faculty issues, or student issues
Email: provost@bu.edu; Phone: 617-353-2230
- Office of Research Compliance – Research activities, including scientific misconduct, research safety, animal welfare, or other safety or research compliance matters
Resources to report concerns are detailed on the Research Support website.
- Debt & Treasury Management – Financial issues
Phone: 617-353-2290 or 617-353-2272; Email: treasury@bu.edu
- Director Health Privacy and Compliance – Privacy of Health Information
Phone: 617-358-3124; Email: jcaptain@bu.edu
- Compliance Services – Any compliance or ethics issues or concerns
Email: Comply@bu.edu; Phone: 617-358-8090
Spam or Phishing Email Reports
Reporting on Minors Health, Safety, Abuse, or Neglect
If you suspect that a minor participating in any BU-sponsored or affiliated program/activity has been abused or neglected, or you have any concerns regarding the health or safety of a minor participant, you must take the steps outlined on the BU Protection of Minors website, which includes the first step of immediately contacting law enforcement. Please see the BU Protection of Minors website for steps on how to report concerns involving minors.
Reporting Crimes
Criminal activity should be reported to the Boston University Police Department (BUPD). Urgent safety incidents should be reported to BUPD immediately by calling 617-353-2121..
DIAL 617-353-2121 or 911 for immediate police response
- Send an anonymous text to Police 24/7.
By text: Anonymous tips may be sent by text to 847411. Type BU <space> and then the message. Standard text messaging rates apply. The message is anonymous and the sender may opt out at any time by texting “stop” to 847411.
In addition, anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 617-353-6516 or filling out an online form.
The BUPD website features a webpage with contact information for specific departments or concerns.
A Silent Witness Form – The silent witness form allows individuals to anonymously provide the BUPD with information pertaining to criminal activity. Please note, if you need immediate assistance, you should call 617-353-2121 immediately. You do not need to leave your name when you call.
Reporting a Safety Incident
Refer to the Report an Incident page on the BU Safety, Security, and Preparedness website for details on how to report safety incidents. Boston University students, staff, and faculty are urged to report all crimes and emergency situations as promptly as possible, whether they occur on or off campus, to the Boston University Police Department. If you have an emergency, please call BUPD at 617-353-2121.
- Anonymous Reporting
- Silent Witness Form – The silent witness form allows individuals to anonymously provide the BUPD with information pertaining to criminal activity. Please note, if immediate assistance is needed, BUPD should be called at 617-353-2121 immediately. A name does not need to be provided when BUPD is called.
- Tip 411 – Members of the Boston University community and the public at large may provide anonymous tips to the Boston University Police Department. Anonymous tips may be sent by text to 847411. Type BU <space> and then the message. Standard text messaging rates apply. The message is anonymous and the sender may opt out at any time by texting “stop” to 847411. In addition, anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 617-353-6516 or filling out an online form.
- Clery Act Crime Incident Report Form – This form should be completed by a Campus Security Authority (CSA) who is required to report information they receive about crimes pursuant to the Clery Act.
- Commendation – Day-to-day our officers perform commendable acts of service for the community at Boston University. Members of the community are encouraged to submit commendation recommendations to share information about positive experiences and interactions they have had with BUPD personnel or the department.
- File a Complaint – The Chief of Police reviews every complaint regarding BUPD personnel and/or the department. Once a complaint is received, it will be thoroughly investigated by a person designated by the Chief.
- Encounter Inquiry – If you have had an encounter with a member of the Boston University Police Department and you are unsure of the reason or validity, you are encouraged to inquire about it.
Reporting a Breach
There are several ways to report a breach depending on the nature of the incident and the type of information that may have been compromised. The following are the specific mechanisms for reporting breaches at Boston University.
- Reporting a Sensitive Data Incident: The Incident Response Team (IRT) provides coverage 7 days a week, 365 days a year to respond to reported breaches of security. We encourage anyone who is aware of a potential security breach affecting Boston University accounts, computers, or networks to report all available information to the IT Help Center or call our hotline at 617-358-1100.
- Reporting a HIPAA Breach: If you believe HIPAA data (PHI) may have been accessed, used or disclosed by someone who is not authorized to do so, it is your responsibility to report the possible breach. Once you report the HIPAA Privacy and Security officers will be able to evaluate the situation and determine whether the situation qualifies as a breach.
- How to report: HIPAA workforce members should notify their supervisor and/or HIPAA Component Contact. The HIPAA Contact then reports to IT Help Center (ithelp@bu.edu) or the HIPAA Officers (hipaa@bu.edu).
- More information on how to report a HIPAA breach can be found at www.bu.edu/HIPAA.
- Reporting Breaches Related to Research: Breaches in confidentiality and other similar breaches related to research activity must be reported to the IRB using the Event Form, ordinarily within five (5) days of the PI learning of the incident.
