Integrity and Conduct Issues
Professional Misconduct
How OIRC addresses allegations of faculty professional misconduct
It is the policy of the University to assess, investigate, and resolve concerns regarding professional misconduct in a fair and timely manner and take appropriate action when members of the campus community engage in inappropriate conduct.
OIRC handles such concerns when they involve UMD faculty.
OIRC administers the University of Maryland Policy on Faculty Professional Conduct, which memorializes related expectations and provides the mechanism for the review of allegations of professional misconduct.
OIRC carries out the review of allegations of professional misconduct in accordance with these procedures.
Per the policy:
"Professional Misconduct" means conduct that is inconsistent with the professional standards and expectations of faculty at the University, including but not limited to: dishonesty or other wrongdoing in the performance of one’s Institutional Responsibilities or other professional activities; neglect or dereliction in the performance of Institutional Responsibilities; submission of an Allegation of Professional Misconduct without Good Faith, or frivolous and/or repeated submission of an Allegation or reporting of substantially similar concerns to multiple University offices; other behavior generally unacceptable to the University community, such as disrespectful, Bullying, Cyberbullying, threatening, intimidating, or unprofessional conduct, discrimination, Harassment, or other behaviors that adversely affect the ability of any member of the campus community to engage in work and learning; failure to comply with University or University System of Maryland ("USM") policies or procedures, or State or federal laws or regulations; or failure to otherwise comply with the expectations of professional conduct set forth in this Policy. Some forms of Professional Misconduct are governed by other institutional policies or procedures (e.g., sexual misconduct) and must be reviewed by the associated University office or unit.
"Institutional Responsibilities" mean an individual’s professional responsibilities on behalf of the University including, without limitation, research, education, administrative, and/or service responsibilities, and which may include such activities as research, research consultation, teaching, mentoring, professional practice, committee memberships, and service on University committees, councils, or other institutional bodies.
Reporting Concerns
Allegations of potential professional misconduct can be reported via the methods identified here. Review the policy to understand the scope of conduct that it covers.
(Note: Prior to reporting an allegation to OIRC, if possible, parties should seek to resolve conduct issues in a professional and collegial manner. If the parties are not able to resolve their concerns, they should: (1) elevate the concern to the unit head for resolution; (2) elevate the concern to the next level administrator if the unit head is unable to resolve the matter or is a party to the allegation; and consider engaging an ombudsperson. For purposes of the professional conduct policy, a "unit head" is a department chair, dean, director, or any University administrator who has a supervisory relationship to the individual in question.)
Via e-mail
Allegations can be sent to OIRC's general e-mail account, oirc@umd.edu. A member of the OIRC staff will respond to your communication as soon as possible, typically within 24 hours.
Via EthicsPoint
Concerns can also be reported via UMD's compliance reporting system, EthicsPoint.
To unit heads
Concerns can also be reported to the unit head of the faculty member believed to have engaged in professional misconduct. (For purposes of the professional misconduct policy, a "unit head" is a department chair, dean, director, or any University administrator who has a supervisory relationship to the individual in question.)
Upon receipt of the report and prior to taking any action, the Unit Head should consult with OIRC.
Coming soon
Stay tuned for additional information and resources related to the professional conduct policy and our process for reviewing professional misconduct allegations, including guidance for unit heads and FAQs.