Confidential tip line new at VCU

VCU will set up a confidential tip line next month in an effort to prevent ethical violations, such as the unmerited awarding of a bachelor’s degree to former Richmond Police Chief Rodney Monroe in 2008.

Monroe only took six credits at VCU before being awarded a degree. He received the majority of his credits online from the University of Phoenix.

In response to the Monroe controversy, VCU President Eugene P. Trani told The Richmond Times Dispatch in an article published Jan. 14 that the controversy has significantly damaged the university’s reputation and could have been avoided if any one person said anything.

Trani could not be reached for further comment.
Faculty and staff were informed of the plans for the anonymous tip line at an ethics forum Jan. 13. A work in progress for the past 16 months, this non-traceable tip line will allow anyone to call in with information concerning ethical violations at VCU.

The difference between this and the state hotline is that callers will be given a case number. With the number, callers can check in to see how their case was resolved.

Dick Bunce, VCU’s executive director of assurance services, said this strategy would maintain anonymity while still reassuring callers that their complaints are being addressed.

“We take all complaints seriously,” Bunce said.

An unidentified outside firm will administer the call line, to ensure confidentiality.

According to Bunce, the tip line is a part of a larger compliance program that started in July 2006.

“It didn’t have anything to do with Philip Morris or Rodney Monroe,” Bunce said, “If you have concerns tell us because we want to do things the right way.”