SIUC’s state ethics training deadline is Nov. 7

The SIUC deadline for all University employees to comply with the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act is Wednesday, Nov. 7.

The law requires all permanent state employees, including faculty, student employees and graduate assistants as well as members of boards and commissions, to complete annual ethics training using an Internet-based program provided by the Office of Executive Inspector General. Temporary and extra-help workers should complete an off-line (paper version) off-line ethics training document to meet the requirement.

Complying with the Ethics Act is a condition of employment at SIUC. Failure to comply may result in University-imposed sanctions up to and including discharge. In addition, the State Ethics Commission can levy fines up to $5,000 against any individual not complying with the Ethics Act.

As of Monday, Oct. 29, 4,100 employees on the SIUC campus, including the School of Medicine in Carbondale, successfully completed ethics training since testing began Oct. 16, said Ethics Training Administrator Brent D. Patton.

The remaining 50 percent (4,100 employees) must still complete the training by Nov. 7, the University’s self-imposed deadline.

Employees should complete the training during regular work hours or as directed by your supervisor. This year's training program content is updated and is designed to familiarize employees with the laws and rules that apply to functions each employee performs on behalf of the University and the state.

The online training program takes about 30 minutes to one hour to complete. It consists of a series of ethics-related lessons.

Employees who use Macintosh work stations will be unable to use the Safari Web browser to complete the training program. Computers have been reserved in the Computer Learning Center in Faner Hall for ethics training.

Your workstation must have a Web browser, Netscape 7.0 or higher, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher, Mozilla 1.0 and any operating system supporting one of these browsers. These browsers must allow first-party cookies and the use of JavaScript to enable correct navigation and tracking within the Ethics Training and Compliance Center.

Contact the University's Computer Support Center at 618/453-5155 or by email for help with login or other Ethics Training questions.

Please note that failure to carefully read and review all of the program's subject matter may invalidate your completion certificate and require you to complete additional ethics training.

Employees who do not have access to a computer or if you need other assistance in completing the training, contact your supervisor or the Ethics Training Administrator, Brent D. Patton, at 453-6677.

For technical assistance, contact the SIUC Helpdesk at 453-5155. For more information go to the SIUC Ethics Office Web site.

The state's Ethics Training and Compliance Center is accessible here.