Our Shared Commitment to Integrity, Respect, and a Safe RIT Community
Dear Campus Community,
Achieving our strategic goal of cultivating a culture where individual growth, holistic well-being, and a deep sense of belonging are integral requires a university community built on trust. Each of us shares responsibility for maintaining an environment where people are treated with dignity and respect, act with integrity, and feel comfortable asking questions or raising concerns when something does not seem right.
RIT’s Code of Ethical Conduct and Compliance reflects these expectations. As members of the RIT community, we are expected to act honestly and ethically; avoid and disclose conflicts of interest and commitment; protect confidential and sensitive information; comply with applicable laws, regulations, and university policies; maintain accurate and responsible university records and communications; and speak up when we become aware of conduct that may be inconsistent with these expectations.
Our Shared Responsibility
Our commitment also includes maintaining a learning and working environment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and retaliation. RIT’s policies and compliance programs address protections under Title VI, Title IX, New York State law, and other applicable laws. This includes protections relating to race, color, national origin and shared ancestry, as well as sex and gender-based discrimination and harassment, including sexual violence, sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking.
Support and Resources
If you experience, witness, or become aware of conduct that concerns you, I encourage you to speak up or seek guidance. Concerns may be raised with a supervisor, department, college, or division leadership, Human Resources, the Office of Compliance and Ethics, the Office of Legal Affairs, Public Safety (Call: 585-475-3333; Text: 585-205-8333), or another appropriate university resource on the Reporting an Incident webpage.
Concerns may also be reported through RIT's Ethics & Compliance Hotline, an independently administered reporting service that allows individuals to report concerns confidentially and, where permitted by law, anonymously.
You do not need to determine whether something constitutes a policy violation before asking for help. RIT has several resources that can provide guidance, support, and assistance depending on the nature of the concern.
- The Office of Compliance and Ethics, which provides guidance regarding ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, compliance obligations, university policies, employee accommodation matters, Title IX matters, and reports of discrimination or harassment based on protected categories under Title VI.
- Human Resource Business Partners, for workplace concerns and employee relations matters.
- The Disability Services Office for student accessibility and accommodation concerns.
- Public Safety (Call: 585-475-3333; Text: 585-205-8333), for immediate safety and security issues.
- The University Ombuds Office, which offers confidential, impartial assistance in addressing concerns and resolving conflicts.
- Other confidential resources also include the Office of Spirituality and Religious Life for all community members, and additional confidential resources available to students through Counseling and Psychological Services, the Student Health Center, and NTID Counseling and Academic Advising Services.
RIT prohibits retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith. Leaders and supervisors have a particular responsibility to model ethical behavior, encourage open dialogue, and ensure that potential discrimination, harassment, or other ethical concerns are promptly reported through the appropriate university channels.
Integrity, Respect, and Safety
Maintaining an ethical and respectful university culture is a responsibility we all share. Through the decisions we make, the way we treat one another, and our willingness to speak up when something does not seem right, each of us contributes to a community grounded in integrity, respect, and accountability.
Thank you for your commitment to ensuring that integrity, respect, accountability, and belonging are not simply values we endorse, but values we demonstrate every day.
Sincerely,
Bill
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