Memorandum
To:
From:
Subject:
All Faculty and Staff
Ellen O’Connor, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance
Winston Langley, Provost & Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs
UMass Boston Policies
February 4, 2010 Date:
The University annually informs employees of specific policies of the Board of Trustees and state law that relate to our business conduct. These policies include the following:
The Board of Trustees’ policy on Fraudulent Financial Activities (T00-051) states, in part,
that:
Fraud in any form will not be tolerated. This policy applies to all university employees and will be enforced without regard to past performance, position held or length of service.
The policy defines a fraudulent act to include:
 Embezzlement, misappropriation or other financial irregularities;
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Forgery or alteration of documents (checks, time sheets, contractor agreements, purchase orders, other financial documents, electronic files);
Improprieties in the handling or reporting of money or financial transactions;
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Misappropriation of funds, securities, supplies, inventory, or any other asset
(including furniture, fixtures or equipment);
Authorizing or receiving payment for goods not received or services not performed; and
Authorizing or receiving payments for hours not worked.
All persons found to have committed fraud relevant to university financial affairs shall be subject to punitive action by the university and investigation by law enforcement agencies when warranted.
The full text of the policy is available at: http://media.umassp.edu/massedu/policy/fraud_gdlns.pdf
The Board of Trustees’ general policy on employee conduct states, in part, that:
 University employees are entrusted with public resources and are expected to understand their responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and to behave in ways consistent both with law and with university policy.

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University employees are expected to be competent and to strive to advance competence both in themselves and in others.
The conduct of university employees is expected to be characterized by integrity and dignity, and they should expect and encourage such conduct by others.
University employees are expected to be honest and conduct themselves in ways that accord respect to themselves and others.
University employees are expected to accept full responsibility for their actions and to strive to serve others and accord fair and just treatment to all.
University employees are expected to conduct themselves in ways that foster forthright expression of opinion and tolerance for the view of others.
University employees are expected to be aware of and understand those institutional objectives and policies relevant to their job responsibilities, be capable of appropriately interpreting them within and beyond the institution, and contribute constructively to their ongoing evaluation and reformulation.
In addition, the university expects to provide its employees:
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 a work environment that is professional and supportive; a clear sense of the duties of their job, the procedures for performance review, and access to relevant university policies and procedures; within the scope of each employee's assigned areas of authority and responsibility, the duty to exercise appropriate judgment and initiative in performing duties;
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The full text of the policy is available at: http://media.umassp.edu/massedu/policy/Principles%20of%20Emply%20Conduct.pdf
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You may not ask for or accept anything (regardless of its value), if it is offered in exchange for you agreeing to perform an official act.
You may not ask for or accept anything worth $50 or more from anyone with whom you have official dealings.
You may not hire, promote, supervise or otherwise participate in the employment of your immediate family or your spouse’s immediate family.
You may not take any type of official action that will affect the financial interests of you or your immediate family or your spouse’s immediate family.
The full text of the law is available at: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-268a-toc.htm

Chapter 149: MGL. C.149 §185 Generally prohibits retaliation against employees for reporting violations of law or risks to public health, safety or environment; remedies.
The full text of the policy is available at: www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/149-185.htm
The University of Massachusetts Boston, in accordance with both federal legislation and existing University policy, is committed to providing a drug-free, healthful, and safe environment for all faculty, staff and students. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance, and the unauthorized possession or use of alcoholic beverages on the Boston campus or as part of any University activity or business off University premises is prohibited. If it is determined that a violation of this policy has occurred, disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, expulsion of students, and referral for prosecution may result as deemed appropriate. Applicable legal sanctions for the unlawful possession or distribution of drugs and alcohol and additional information about the Drug Free Workplace Act are summarized at the link listed below.
The full text of the policy is available at: www.umb.edu/administration_finance/hr/memos/documents/2009-16DrugFree.doc
The University expects all members of the community to use computing and information technology resources in a responsible manner, respecting the public trust through which these resources have been provided, the rights and privacy of others, the integrity of facilities and controls, state and federal laws, and University policies and standards.
The full text of the policy is available at: http://media.umassp.edu/massedu/policy/AcceptableUseSummary.pdf