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PCC Hires Firm to Operate Hotline for Employees to Address Ethics, Other Topics

June 21, 2012

Tucson, AZ – Pima Community College has contracted with an outside company to offer a hotline for employees to anonymously comment on PCC ethics, compliance and other issues, it was announced Wednesday at the PCC Governing Board’s regular meeting.

To administer the hotline, PCC has contracted with EthicsPoint, Inc., a national firm that helps more than 400 colleges and universities maintain high ethical standards. Through the hotline, PCC employees can speak to an EthicsPoint representative or submit information online, and will be able to remain anonymous.

As is common practice at other entities with hotlines, all comments will be forwarded by EthicsPoint to the College’s Office of Internal Audit for review or investigation, or for distribution to the appropriate PCC entity.  The identity of the person making the comment will be protected.

The service is expected to be available in fall 2012.

In addition, the Board approved the 2012-2013 Personnel Policy Statement for Employees, adding language to provide that complaints against the Chancellor are referred to the College’s Employee Relations Office, the chair of the Governing Board, the College’s legal counsel or EthicsPoint.

The Board approved other changes to the Personnel Policy Statement to improve accountability and ensure that PCC continues to treat its employees with dignity:

  • New rules prohibiting employees from endorsing a product or service of a commercial nature without prior approval by their supervising administrator.
  • A revision of PCC’s Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior for Employees. The new code says that “Pima Community College employees will show mutual respect for others, basic courtesy reciprocity (treating others as we wish to be treated), and behaviors that create a positive environment in which to learn and work. College administrators will set the tone for civil behavior through their professional conduct and leadership. All members of the College community will create a positive environment characterized by considerate and principled conduct.”

In other action Wednesday, the Board:

  • Heard a presentation on the PCC Prep Academy, a non-credit, self-paced flexible program that allows students to concentrate on strengthening their reading, writing and mathematics skills. Based on insights from area K-12 school superintendents, the College is exploring two PCC Prep Academy pilot initiatives:
    • For 2012-13, allowing students to use Prep Academy resources at no charge.
    • For students who qualify for the Prep Academy and seek admission to credit classes, accepting documentation of AIMS test passage. Students would be required to enroll in the Prep Academy.
  • Heard presentations from three organizations seeking to help the College find candidates to be Chancellor. Presenting were:
    • Narcisa Polonio, Ed.D., Association of Community College Trustees
    • Dr. Preston Pulliams, Gold Hill Associates
    • Elizabeth Rocklin, R.H. Perry & Associates

The Board will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, June 28, to discuss the finalists. The meeting will be held at the Community Board Room (C-105) at PCC’s District Office, 4905 E. Broadway. The Special Meeting will be preceded by an Executive Session.

The public is encouraged to offer insights regarding all aspects of the College’s search for a permanent chancellor through a special email address, chancellorsearch@pima.edu, which can be accessed by clicking on the Chancellor Search button on the www.pima.edu home page.

  • Approved Pima County Community College District property tax levies for the fiscal year beginning July 1, and adopted the proposed budget for the District. In keeping with the College’s annual practice regarding budget adoption, the Board had reviewed the proposed budget during its regular meeting of May 16, 2012. Prior to Wednesday night’s special meeting, the Board held a statutorily required public hearing on the FY 2013 budget.
  • Approved $289,875 grant award from the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education. The funds will go to students taking part in the 2012-2013 Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (AzLEAP), which provides grants to Arizona resident students who need financial assistance. During the 2011-2012 academic year, 379 students received AzLEAP funds.

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, in the Amethyst Room of PCC’s Downtown Campus, 1255 N. Stone Ave.

CONTACT:
C.J. Karamargin
Vice Chancellor for Public Information and Government Relations
(520) 206-4850
ckaramargin@pima.edu