Your Potential. Our Purpose.
Ethics Training
Dear Western Illinois University Employee:
As university employees, we are required to follow all laws, rules, regulations and policies, including the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. These laws and rules establish expectations for employee conduct, which include the need to make proper use of state resources and property, and the requirement that we always act with honesty and integrity.
One element of the Ethics Act is a requirement that all university employees participate in ethics training on an annual basis. Thus, your completion of this training is both a legal requirement and a condition of your employment. You are required to complete the online ethics training between October 01 and October 31, 2024.
Every year WIU gets closer to 100% employee compliance with this training. Thank you to all of you who have in the past (and will again this year) complete your training during the timeline. However, in order to be in full compliance with Illinois Law, WIU must have 100% employee compliance. As a result, WIU has determined that non-compliance (without cause) will be treated as a disciplinary matter.
DISCIPLINE STATEMENT
All WIU employees are expected to comply with the State requirement and complete this online training on or before October 31, 2024. WIU is required to refer the names of every non-compliant employee to the Office of Executive Inspector General. In addition to that referral, non-compliant employees may be subject to discipline by WIU Administration as follows:
Faculty and Academic Support Professionals (Units A and B) - Members of Units A and B will receive a letter stating the fact of non-compliance and notifying the non-compliant employee that a formal meeting will be held. Absent mitigating information or circumstances that may come out of the meeting, the sanction for faculty and academic support professionals who fail to perform this professional obligation will be to receive at least a one (1) day's reduction in pay (in accordance with Articles 21 and 38 of the 2023-2026 Agreement for Faculty and ASP's) if the training is not completed during the established training time line.
Non-Represented Administrative Personnel and Graduate Assistants - Absent mitigating information or circumstances that are presented, non-represented administrative personnel and graduate assistants will receive at least a one (1) day suspension if the training is not completed during the established training time lines. Previous discipline may be taken into account and may result in more severe disciplinary action. With respect to discipline, all University applicable policies and procedures will apply.
Civil Service - Absent mitigating information or circumstances that are presented, Civil Service employees will receive at least a one (1) day suspension if training is not completed during the established training time lines. Previous discipline may be taken into account and may result in more severe disciplinary action. With respect to discipline, all State Universities Civil Service System rules and procedures, University policies and procedures, and/or applicable collective bargaining agreements will apply.
You can access the online ethics training by using a computer connected to the Internet and these instructions:
- Open your Internet browser window
- Enter the URL https://westernonline.wiu.edu/d2l/home to access WesternOnline
- Enter your Ecom User Name and Password
- Click on the Ethics Training module
Your successful completion will be electronically recorded. There will be NO certificate provided.
You should complete this training during your regular work hours or as directed by your supervisor. Please be advised that overtime pay will not be provided if you choose, on your own, to access this training outside of your normal work hours.
If you do not have access to a computer and the internet, or if you need other assistance in completing this training, please contact:
- Victoria Smith, Ethics Training Administrator, at 298-3070 or via email at VR-Smith@wiu.edu.
- Leann Walters, Deputy Ethics Office, at 298-3070 or via email at LE-Walters@wiu.edu.
If you encounter problems accessing the training due to your password, you may reset your password at https://www.wiu.edu/account/reset.
Information regarding ethics legislation, contacts and resources can be found at www.wiu.edu/vpas/ethics_training.
Lastly, if at any time you have questions about an ethics issue related to your state employment, you should contact me at 298-3070 or you may email me at VR-Smith@wiu.edu.
Thank you for your cooperation and for your continued efforts on behalf of the State of Illinois.
Victoria Smith
WIU Ethics Officer
Any student, faculty, or staff member who believes they have witnessed a violation of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act should report the violation immediately to:
Victoria Smith
(309) 298-3070
VR-Smith@wiu.edu
Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor
Illinois Building - 607 East Adams Street
14th Floor
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Phone: (217) 558-5600
Fax: (217) 782-1605
Office of Executive Inspector General