Descriptions of Misconduct Codes

Athletics
Compliance with NCAA or Big Ten rules (including academic fraud, scholarship or financial aid misconduct, recruiting misconduct, gambling); concerns regarding medical treatment or health or safety of student-athletes; student-athlete eligibility issues. Intramural or recreational sports and summer camp safety issues are included.
 
Conflicts of Interest
The non-disclosure or inappropriate management of a potential or actual conflict of interest or commitment by a faculty or staff member; includes nepotism.
 
Discrimination and Harassment
Any act which violates the University’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy, and/or state/federal civil rights laws, including discrimination or harassment based on age, color, gender, gender identity, disability status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or weight, including allegations of sexual misconduct, relationship violence, or stalking. 

Reporting Protocols: Child Abuse, Sexual Assault and Child Pornography
 
Employment
Bias in decision making, non-fiscal employee misconduct, abuse of time or resources, wage/hour issues, substance abuse, employee benefits abuses, poor customer relations, inappropriate language or communications, or any other employee relations issues; includes violations of most policies in MSU’s Manual of Business Procedures.
 
Fiscal Misconduct
Accounting or internal control issues, fraud, theft of cash or property, falsification of records, tax issues, improper giving/receiving of gifts, improper supplier or contractor activity, waste of resources, or similar issues.
 
Hazing
Hazing is requiring or encouraging any act, whether or not the act is voluntarily agreed upon, in conjunction with initiation, affiliation with, continued membership, or participation in any group that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm or humiliation. It prohibited by the University and state law.
 
Medical and HIPAA
Any issue related to privacy rights guaranteed under federal or state laws that concern a patient’s medical records or personal health information (e.g., HIPAA). Any issue related to the quality of medical care provided to a patient at a University-affiliated clinic.
 
Other
Any other regulatory concern or issue that does not seem to fit any of the other categories.
 
Privacy
The improper disclosure of confidential data, accessing or using institutional data for improper purposes, failure to implement or maintain appropriate security protocols, or other violations of the Institutional Data Policy; includes FERPA violations.
 
Research
Any issue related to a research study, including inappropriate use or treatment of human or animal subjects, research grant misconduct, misappropriation of costs, research misconduct (plagiarism, fabrication, falsification), export control compliance, or other similar concerns.
 
Retaliation
The adverse treatment of an individual in retaliation for filing a report or complaint alleging a violation of law, government regulation, or University policy.
 
Safety
Any concern related to safety or environmental issues, unsafe working conditions, sanitation, disability access, building or facilities issues, construction sites, transportation issues, or other similar concerns. Youth/child safety is included.