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Keeping It Golden: The Standard of Audit, Risk, & Compliance at Tuskegee

Doing Right, the Tuskegee Way

At Tuskegee, ethics is more than a checklist — it’s part of who we are. As a proud HBCU rooted in both history and community, we know that doing right protects not only our university but also the students, staff, and neighbors who call this place home. In a rural environment like ours, where trust runs deep and word travels fast, integrity is everything.

What Ethics Means for Us

Ethics is simply about making the right choices — guided by principles of fairness, accountability, and respect. While morals are shaped by personal beliefs, ethics come from the standards we agree to as a community: our policies, codes, and laws. Both matter, but together they hold us accountable.

Why It Matters

Strong ethics protect our students’ privacy (FERPA), keep our campus safe (Celery Act), prevent discrimination (Title VI, VII, and IX), and ensure accessibility (ADA). Beyond compliance, ethics preserves Tuskegee’s reputation, builds workplace trust, and supports student success.

Red Flags and Dilemmas

Some warning signs are clear: misuse of funds, favoritism, or breaking confidentiality. Others are trickier, like conflicts of interest. Even the appearance of bias can erode trust — whether it’s hiring family, assigning your own textbook for profit, or accepting gifts from vendors. When in doubt, disclose and step back.

Unethical Behavior and Its Costs

Unethical choices — from taking supplies home to stealing time — harm more than individuals. They weaken the culture we’ve worked hard to build. Causes often include pressure, unclear policies, or the mindset that “everyone’s doing it.” But make no mistake: violations carry consequences, from re-training to termination, even legal action.

Confidentiality Matters

Protecting private information is everyone’s job. Whether it’s student records, employee files, or sensitive data, information must be accessed only on a “need-to-know” basis and safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure. A single breach can damage trust and reputation.

Reporting Without Fear

Tuskegee offers multiple channels to report concerns — your supervisor, HR, the Office of Audit, Risk & Compliance, or our anonymous hotline through Lighthouse Services (855-222-2594 / ). Reports can be confidential or anonymous, and retaliation is strictly prohibited.

Our Shared Responsibility

We are Golden Tigers! That means carrying a legacy of excellence and resilience while protecting our future. In a close-knit rural HBCU like Tuskegee, ethics isn’t optional — it’s the standard. Every decision we make, big or small, is part of the Tuskegee way: proud, ethical, and true.

Click here for the Ethics Infographic

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ has established a  through Lighthouse Services, Inc. for the purpose of reporting fraud, unlawful, unethical, and other types of improper behavior.  A more complete description of the purpose of this policy is available in the University’s Whistleblower Protection and Investigation and Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Policies. The hotline is not a substitute for routine communications within the University between associates and their supervisors and managers, particularly as to workplace duties. Likewise, it does not replace communications with Human Resources about benefit issues or other job-related issues. Regular business matters that do not require anonymity should be directed to the employee’s supervisor and should not be submitted using this service.   

Any Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Board member, officer, faculty member, staff employee, contract employee, temporary or term employee, student, volunteer, consultant, and vendor (each a “Covered Person”) who believes they are aware of fraud, unlawful, unethical and/or other types of improper behavior are expected and encouraged to report their concerns. Covered Persons have many ways in which they can report a concern or incident. They may discuss it with their manager, the Chief Audit Executive and/or General Counsel. Covered Persons may also contact Lighthouse Services through  or by using the following other methods: 

• Anonymous Reporting App (located in the Apple App/Google Play store)  Keyword: Tuskegee  
• Telephone: 855-222-2594 
• E-mail: reports@lighthouse-services.com (must include company name with report) 
• Fax: (215) 689-3885 (must include company name with report) 

**Such reports may be made confidentially and anonymously. 

Click  to view the Hotline Training Video.