President’s Statement of Commitment to Ethical Conduct

February 2025

Dear Colleagues,

As we continue the work to identify the core principles and beliefs that unite us all through the Living Our Values Initiative, I’d like for us to take some time to reflect on some of the values that have brought us to where we are today, and in particular, on the principles that are found within the University’s Code of Ethical Conduct.

As the code states, Boston University is “an institution dedicated to the search for truth through teaching, scholarship, and research,” and we are “committed to excellence and integrity in all [our] endeavors.”

In support of our mission, all students, faculty, and staff must maintain a commitment to:

  • Engaging with one another honestly
  • Avoiding conflicts of interest and commitment
  • Maintaining confidentiality
  • Complying with applicable laws, rules, and regulations
  • Prohibiting retaliation against those who make good-faith reports of violations of law or University policy
  • Accurate and timely public disclosures as appropriate

I’d like to remind you of the confidential Ethics and Compliance reporting hotline operated by EthicsPoint, an independently administered reporting service, which can help us in maintaining our commitment to these principles. Community members and others can confidentially submit complaints regarding what they believe to be violations of the University’s code to EthicsPoint anonymously online, by letter, or via telephone. More information on mechanisms for reporting concerns can be found on the Compliance Services website.

Primary responsibility for the administration of the Code of Ethical Conduct rests with a Compliance Committee that reports to, and is subject to the oversight of, the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees. The Compliance Committee comprises:

  • University Provost and Chief Academic Officer
  • Medical Campus Provost
  • Senior Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer
  • Senior Vice President for Operations
  • Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of the Board of Trustees
  • Vice President for Human Resources
  • Associate Vice President for Compliance Services
  • Associate Vice President for Internal Audit & Advisory Services

Please know that all leaders across the University are responsible for ensuring that their team members understand and comply with the Code of Ethical Conduct. Employees who have questions or concerns about their obligations under the code, possible illegal or unethical behavior, or noncompliance with University policy should speak with their supervisors or a member of the Compliance Committee, or they may contact the Compliance Services office. The code is not intended to replace, and may be supplemented by, specific University policies that have been adopted in the past and that may be adopted in the future.

We all share the responsibility to promote a positive and ethical work environment for each other. Please carefully review the Code of Ethical Conduct and do your part to adhere to the standards and guidelines.

Thank you for your commitment to this important set of principles.

Sincerely,

Melissa Gilliam
President

 

Ethics and Compliance Reporting Hotline

Boston University has established a hotline to provide a way to anonymously and confidentially report activities that may involve improper conduct or violations of University policies. The University has selected EthicsPoint to provide this service for the University community.

If you would like to make a report through EthicsPoint website you can submit a report using this link, or by going to www.ethicspoint.com, selecting “File a New Report or Follow-up on a Report,” entering “Boston University” under “File a New Report,” and then clicking the “Submit” button. You may also submit a report by telephone through the EthicsPoint Call Center by dialing toll-free 1-866-294-8451. Alternatively, you may submit a report in writing to the following address: Boston University, C/O EthicsPoint, PO Box 230369, Portland, OR 97223.