Recent federal legislation, specifically the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), has placed additional requirements on organizations to ensure accurate financial reporting and adequate internal controls are maintained. Although these regulations have not yet been applied to not-for-profit organizations, the University’s Trustee Audit Committee has indicated that the University should implement most of the requirements voluntarily, at this time.

One of the SOX requirements is that there must be a direct and confidential reporting line for communicating financial irregularities to the University’s Trustee Audit Committee.

As a result the Audit Committee directed that a confidential “Ethics” phone line be established and maintained by the University’s Internal Audit Office. This communications link allows any member of the Lehigh Community (faculty, staff or students) the opportunity to anonymously and confidentially report concerns they have regarding the financial and operational aspects of the University. This would include financial or ethical concerns, fraud, conflicts of interest, noncompliance with governmental or university requirements, etc. Information provided is kept confidential unless there are serious circumstances such as fraud or there are legal requirements that do not permit a guarantee of confidentiality.

The Director of Internal Audit is responsible for receiving and evaluating the communicated concerns and for performing the appropriate follow-up actions. Any specific concerns regarding financial or accounting irregularities is reported immediately to the Chair of the Trustee Audit Committee. All concerns are investigated. Human resources, general counsel, environmental safety, etc. concerns that are communicated are shared with the respective offices.

Members of the community can call 610-758-2500 to report any concerns. This is a secure and confidential line. If individuals prefer they can also utilize campus mail or email to express concerns to the Internal Audit Office.