UW News

February 10, 2005

Notices

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITY

Grant applications wanted
The Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute invites applications from University faculty for its Small Grants Research Awards. Proposed research must be in alcohol or drug abuse-related fields. The maximum amount considered for funding is $20,000. The next application deadline is 5:00 p.m., March 15. Questions concerning the application process or suitability of a potential project should be directed to the Institute at 206-543-0937. Application guidelines are available on the ADAI website at http://depts.washington.edu/adai or by calling ADAI at 206-543-0937.



OTHER NEWS

Public Hearing Notice
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, February 28, in the Carwein Auditorium, first floor of the Keystone Building, on the UW Tacoma campus. The purpose of the hearing is to allow all interested persons an opportunity to present their views, either orally or in writing, on the proposed amendments to Chapter 478–118 WAC, “Parking and Traffic Rules of the University of Washington, Tacoma.”

Parking and traffic rules originally promulgated for the UW Tacoma campus in 2002 now need further refinement after three years of implementation for this growing campus facility. Proposed amendments seek to clarify existing rules and provide additional definitions, visitor parking rules, and bicycle and skateboard rules.

Advance copies of the proposed WAC rules may be obtained by contacting Rebecca Goodwin Deardorff, Director of Rules Coordination, 4014 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105–6203; Campus Mail: Box 355509; or by phone at 206-543-9219. Copies will also be available at the public hearing.

Persons wishing to provide written comment may submit their remarks to Deardorff at the above address, by e-mail to rules@u.washington.edu, or by fax to 206-616-6294, by February 28.

To request disability accommodation for this hearing, contact the UW Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance of the event at 206-543-6450 for voice and 206-543-6452 for TTY 206-685-7264 for fax, or by e-mail at dso@u.washington.edu.


Board of Regents Meeting
The UW Board of Regents will hold a regular meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb.17, in the Walker-Ames Room, Kane Hall on the Seattle campus. The Regents will meet in formal session to take official action on personnel appointments and changes, gifts and grants, contracts and agreements with outside agencies, and other University business.


Study subjects wanted
Whiplash Study- Have you had whiplash in the past 3 months? UWMC’s Whiplash Research Center is conducting a study supported by a grant from the NIH. Qualified participants may receive a medical evaluation, multidisciplinary treatment, and earn up to $150. 206 543-3387, University of Washington Medical Center, http://depts.washington.edu/wads/  


Blood drive
Thursday, Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 – 5 pm on Stevens Way, across from Lewis Hall.


Legal Notice
Anti-Kickback, Conflict of Interest and Whistleblower Regulations

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR 52.203-7) require the university to implement procedures designed to prevent and detect violations of the Anti-Kickback Act of 1986 (41 USC 51-58). This is published as a reminder of the policies and procedures in place at the University of Washington


1.Kickback Defined. “Kickback” as defined by FAR means any money, fee commission, credit, gift, gratuity, thing of value or compensation of any kind that is provided directly or indirectly to any prime contractor, prime contractor employee, subcontractor or subcontractor employee for the purpose of improperly obtaining or rewarding favorable treatment in connection with a prime contract or in connection with a subcontract relating to a prime contract. University employees are prohibited under federal and state laws from accepting or offering kickbacks.


2. Ethics in Public Service Act. The Ethics in Public Service Act codified in Chapter 42.52 of the Revised Code of Washington prohibits State of Washington employees from accepting a gift, gratuity or additional compensation for personal services rendered as part of official duties.


Regulations published by the State Ethics Board and in University rules at http://www.washington.edu/admin/adminpro/APS/47.02.html prohibit the use of university facilities and equipment for personal business use. E-mail and local telephones may be used for personal nonbusiness uses so long as the use is minimal and does not interfere with the carrying out of official duties. Each faculty and staff member is individually responsible for compliance with these rules.


3. Procurement Integrity Provisions. The Procurement Integrity Provisions of Public Law 100-679 (1988) prohibit university employees from offering promises of future employment, business opportunities, money, gratuities or other things of value to federal procurement agents. University employees are precluded from soliciting information about proprietary or source selection information from any federal officer or employee prior to the award of a contract. University employees responsible for a federal contract over $100,000 may be required to certify before the award that they have no information concerning a violation of the procurement integrity provisions.


4. Outside Consulting Work. Faculty and staff are required to receive prior approval from their supervisors before engaging in outside professional work for compensation. See University Handbook Vol. IV, Part V, Chapter 6 and Administrative Policy Statements at http://www.washington.edu/admin/adminpro/APS/47.03.html. University facilities and resources, including computers and e-mail, may not be used in outside work.


5. Internal and Governmental Audits. Internal audits conducted by the university’s Internal Audit Department, and external audits conducted by the office of the State Auditor and the Office of Naval Research, among others, provide checks and balances to university procedures.


6. Purchasing Procedures. The Purchasing Department solicits competitive bids for most purchases on behalf of the university. Purchases may not be made by university personnel unless authorized in advance by a department employee with signature authority and by a Purchasing Department Buyer. Purchasing procedures are described at http://www.washington.edu/admin/purchasing/ . No gift or benefit of any kind may be offered to or accepted by a state employee involved in the purchasing process as an inducement to buy a particular product or restrict competition. (Revised code of Washington Sections 43.19.1937 and 42.52.140.) The state ethics law also prohibits any state employee from participating in a purchasing transaction that may result in an economic benefit to themselves or to a family member. Check writing and accounting functions are conducted by Payables Administration.


Under the state ethics rules, a University employee who independently contracts with the University for the sale of goods and services may need to receive prior approval from the State Ethics Board.


7. “Whistleblower” Provisions and Protection. University employees may report improper governmental actions to the Office of the State Auditor. To encourage the reporting of improper governmental actions, employees are protected from reprisal or retaliatory action by the provisions of state law. The Whistleblower law is codified in Chapter 42.40 of the Revised Code of Washington. Procedures for reporting improper governmental actions are in the Administrative Policy Statements at http://www.washington.edu/admin/adminpro/APS/47.01.html.


Summary of the Provisions and Protections of RCW 42.40.

“Whistleblower Act” chapter 42.40 RCW was enacted to encourage employees of the State of Washington to report improper governmental actions to the State Auditor’s Office. “Improper governmental action” means any action by an employee undertaken in the performance of the employee’s official duties that is:


  • A gross waste of public funds of resources; or
  • In violation of federal or state law or rule if the violation is not merely technical or of a minimum nature; or
  • Of substantial and specific danger to the public health or safety.


“Improper governmental action” does not include personnel actions for which other remedies exist, such as employee grievances and related complaints.


In order to be investigated, an assertion of improper governmental action must be provided to the State Auditor’s Office within one year after the occurrence of the asserted improper governmental action.


Assertions of improper governmental action must be filed in writing with the State Auditor’s Office. Telephone calls are not accepted. Assertions can be reported using the Whistleblower Reporting Form or in a separate letter. In either case, the report should include:


  • A detailed description of the improper governmental action(s);
  • The name of the employee(s) involved;
  • The agency, division and location where the action(s) occurred;
  • When the action(s) occurred;
  • Any other details that may be important for the investigation – witnesses, documents, evidence, etc.;
  • The specific law or regulation that has been violated, if known;
  • The whistleblower’s name, address and phone number.


Assertions of improper governmental action may be filed anonymously. However, by providing a name and phone number, the whistleblower enables the State Auditor to gather additional information necessary for a thorough investigation. The identity of the whistleblower is kept confidential.


The Whistleblower Reporting Form is available by contacting the State Auditor’s Office at 206-543-4196 or through the State Auditor’s Office homepage at http://www.sao.wa.gov.


The Whistleblower Reporting Form or letter should be mailed to:

State Auditor’s Office
Attention: ED
P.O. Box 40021
Olympia, WA 98504-0021


The State Auditor’s Office has sole discretion to determine how, or if, whistleblower assertions will be investigated. The law listed factors to be considered when making this determination. The State Auditor will mail an acknowledgment to the whistleblower within five working days of receipt of the report. When the investigation has been completed, the State Auditor’s Office will send the whistleblower a letter containing a summary of the information received and the results of the investigation. If the State Auditor’s Office determines an employee has engaged in improper governmental action, it will report the nature and details of the activity to the subject(s) of the investigation, the head of the employee’s agency and, if necessary, the Attorney General or other appropriate authorities.


The law protects whistleblowers from reprisal or retaliatory action. If a whistleblower believes he or she has been the subject of such action, the whistleblower may file a claim with the Washington Human Rights Commission. The commission shall investigate the claim and take appropriate action.


A more detailed summary of the Whistleblower Law is contained in the Administrative Policy Statements at http://www.washington.edu/admin/adminpro/APS/47.01.html. You may call Internal Audit at 206-543-4028 if you have questions relating to any of the above.