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FAQs

Frequently asked questions of the UWF Office of Compliance and Ethics.

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Due to the relatively new concept of compliance as a profession, people often misconstrue what it is the Compliance and Ethics Office does. Below are some helpful FAQs that should help you better understand the mission and vision of the office.

People often ask what it is meant by the term, "compliance." Compliance is all about the rules and regulations that UWF is held accountable to uphold. Not only does this include major legislation, such as HIPAA or FERPA, but also internal regulations, such as UWF policies and procedures.

When considering UWF's Compliance Program you must consider the regulatory environment in which we work. Higher education is subject to one of the most complex sets of rules regulations of any industry... period. This is why Compliance Programs have been gaining in popularity throughout the Higher Education system.

The role of the Office of Compliance and Ethics is to help ensure that we meet these demands. This is done through collaborative relationships with Subject Matter Experts, or Compliance Partners, who are spread out across the University landscape. Together we work diligently to ensure no rule or regulation is overlooked and UWF continues to hold itself to the highest standards of compliance and ethics.

First and foremost, we are all responsible for compliance. It's everyone's responsibility. "Compliance" covers federal reporting responsibilities, but it also covers internal rules such as the employee code of conduct or conflict of interest reporting. We all must play our part in order to maintain compliance.

If you are looking for specific area guidance on compliance, there are Compliance Partners spread out across the university who are the subject matter experts. If you would like to find out who your representative is, contact our Chief Compliance Officer Matt Packard (x6070).

To get started, check out the Accountability Matrices and the Compliance Calendar in Confluence. Also, feel free to contact the Office of Compliance and Ethics directly!

Non-compliance has many costs and consequences, which can be separated into two groups; individual vs. institutional. Below are some common examples of the impact non-compliance can have:

UWF:

  • Fines, sanctions, legal fees
  • Reputational damage
  • Operating inefficiencies
  • Employee turnover
  • Loss of funding sources
  • Negative faculty and staff morale

Individual:

  • Disciplinary action up to and including termination (see employee code of conduct)
  • Criminal charges
  • Imprisonment
  • Fines