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A Note from the President All great institutions strive to ensure a strong workforce and sound institutional compliance standards. Understanding this standard of excellence, I have made compliance one of the three major pillars with which to build Fort Valley State University’s foundation in the early days of my presidency (along with enrollment management and fundraising). Because I understand how mission-critical compliance is to a sound and sustainable institution of higher learning, I pulled key compliance-related departments within FVSU under the Office of the President. Guided by chief of staff Kendall Isaac, the offices of human resources, legal affairs, campus safety and compliance (including athletics compliance) are working together to build a fully integrated and harmonious divisional approach to our institutional compliance efforts. Soon we also hope to infuse an internal audit component into the equation.
DID YOU KNOW? ADA Compliant: FVSU Website Did you know that there are guidelines that must be followed to guarantee that our website is compliant with the American Disabilities Act? If you are uploading documents to your web page, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communication, (478) 825-6319, to ensure you are meeting the required standard.
We have already started to make significant strides, including engaging campus partners to reignite the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) committee and working towards the soon-tobe-launched web portals for the housing of institutional policies and procedures. Additionally, we are establishing an easily locatable and identifiable online reporting mechanism. Annual compliance training platforms are also on the horizon. I hope that each member of the Wildcat Family will take the time to read this important and informative publication. We all need to understand our obligation to understand and take compliance seriously, and to exhibit the requisite courage to report any conduct that appears to be falling short. We must remain vigilant in our assigned task of protecting this institution, its reputation and funding - as entrusted to us by the State of Georgia, the numerous federal agencies and the community members that we all serve. This task is not easy, but it is most certainly fulfilling. Let’s all work together to make sure that FVSU is a safe, ethical and responsible place to live, to learn, to work and to play. Sincerely, Paul Jones, Ph.D. President
Know the NCAA Rules for Student-Athletes
Making Special Arrangements for Wildcats Receipt of a benefit by student athletes, or their relatives or friends is not a violation of NCAA legislation if it is demonstrated that the same benefit is generally available to the institution’s regular student population; to their relatives or friends or to a particular segment of the student body (e.g., international students, minority students). This is determined on a basis unrelated to athletics ability. Therefore, a general student discount or benefit is allowable; however, a discount or benefit available only to student athletes would not be permissible. A booster may not provide a student-athlete with professional services (for which a fee normally would be charged) without charge or at a reduced cost except as permitted elsewhere in this bylaw.
Answer: Most faculty and staff are considered representatives of athletics interests. You are a representative if you have at any time: •
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Participated in or are a member of an agency or organization promoting Fort Valley State University intercollegiate athletics program Made financial contributions to Fort Valley State University athletics department or to an athletics booster organization of Fort Valley State University. Been requested by the athletics department staff to assist in the recruitment of Prospective StudentAthletes (PSA). Assisted or is assisting in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes (SA). Involved in promoting Fort Valley State University’s athletics program. Once an individual is identified as an athletics representative, the person retains that identity indefinitely.
NCAA guidelines regulate the activities of booster clubs in relation to student-athletes. These regulations are intended to prevent booster clubs from influencing an athlete's school and athletics program enrollment decision. NCAA rules place several limits on booster interactions with prospects. A booster club or its members may not contact a prospect or her family for recruiting purposes. Nor may a booster encourage a prospect's attendance or participation in a school's athletics program. Additionally, boosters may not supply any benefits or special arrangements to studentathletes. This includes loans, payment of the athlete or his family's expenses, or gifts of any kind. Boosters are not allowed to buy studentathletes meals of any kind, including a small snack or drink.
What is Preferential Treatment? Preferential treatment occurs when benefits or services are provided based on the student-athlete’s athletics reputation or skill. When examining a case of preferential treatment, the origin and the duration of a relationship and the consistency of benefits provided during the relationship are key factors. This rule applies to student-athletes receiving benefits from anyone outside of the institution based on their status as an athlete or their athletic ability. The main difference between extra benefits and preferential treatment is who is providing the benefit. Extra benefits are benefits from an institutional employee or a booster while preferential treatment occurs with no knowledge by the institution.
Our Classified Staff Handbook has been updated, please read the employee acknowledgment statement and complete the required fields. All Classified Staff employees are required to read the updated handbook and complete the acknowledgment statement.
Printed copies of the handbook are not available.
Here is the link: http://www.fvsu.edu/receipt-acknowledgement-employee-handbook/
FVSU Volunteer Agreement Forms Fort Valley State University's Volunteer Agreement is new and improved. The new version supersedes and replaces any previous versions. All volunteers must complete a Volunteer Agreement form. To access the new Volunteer Agreement, visit http://www.fvsu.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2015/08/FVSUVolunteerForm.pdf. Fort Valley State University reserves the unilateral right to terminate an individual’s volunteer efforts and/or agreement for any or no reason at all. For questions, please contact the FVSU Office of Human Resources, (478) 825-6301.
For inclusion in this publication, contact: Denise Eady,
Chancellor’s Statement on Malfeasance Reporting
Chief Compliance Officer Huntington Hall, Room 220 eadyd@fvsu.edu 478-825-6333
or LuWanna Williams, Associate Athletics Director HPE Complex, Room williamsl@fvsu.edu 478-825-6179
Visit us Online: www.fvsu.edu/institution al-compliance-program/
The University System of Georgia is committed to the highest ethical and profession standards of conduct in pursuit of its mission to create a more educated Georgia. The USG is also committed to preventing and detecting fraud, waste and abuse and other forms of wrongdoing and taking action when it occurs. This is not only the right thing to do but it also helps to protect the reputation of the USG and that of its dedicated employees. Similarly, safeguarding resources is our responsibility to Georgia taxpayers and all those who generously donate to higher education. It is also the policy of the USG to report instances of employee malfeasance to the USG chief audit officer for any appropriate action to include a referral to the Attorney General’s Office. Employee malfeasance includes, but is not limited to, instances of embezzlement, misappropriation, theft, bribery or kickbacks, and intentional misrepresentation of facts. The Malfeasance Reporting policy is in the Board of Regents Policy Manual section 8.2.20 – University System of Georgia Ethics Policy. If you have an instance to report, please contact John M. Fuchko III, vice chancellor for the Office of Internal Audit and Compliance/chief audit officer, (404) 962-3025 or john.fuchko@usg.edu
Fort Valley State University’s Compliance Pod Incumbent Tricia Addison Denise W. Eady Kendall D. Isaac Charles E. Jones Ken Morgan LuWanna Williams
Title Chief Human Resource Officer Chief Compliance Officer Chief of Staff Chief Legal Officer Chief of Police Associate Athletics Director/Athletics Compliance Officer
Fort Valley State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate against applicants, students or employees on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or marital or veteran status. Fort Valley State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master’s and educational specialist degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Fort Valley State University.