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University Compliance Office

University Compliance Office

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The University Compliance Office (UCO) is responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of a compliance and ethics program that supports the institution’s Mission in a growingly complex regulatory environment. The UCO supports the University’s enterprise risk management process that enables the assessment of strategic risks as part of an integrated and coordinated process that takes into account the entire University.   

The UCO serves to:

  1. promote and encourage a commitment to compliance with applicable laws and the highest ethical standards in the pursuit of all University activities;
  2. raise awareness regarding high risk compliance areas and the University policies and processes in place to support these areas;
  3. utilize an enterprise risk management process to identify and assess risks, and select appropriate management strategies to lessen their possible impact;
  4. coordinate compliance-related functions and offices throughout campus; and
  5. assure internal and external stakeholders of the University’s diligence in keeping compliance and ethics considerations at the core of how we conduct ourselves as representatives and stewards of the University and its resources.  

Each member of the Villanova University Community of faculty, staff and students is responsible for promoting a culture of compliance with laws, regulations, University policies, and ethical standards.  The UCO proactively oversees and coordinates the University’s overall compliance efforts, and is ready to assist the University Community with any compliance-related questions or concerns.

The University Compliance Office came into existence in January of 2014 with the hiring of an institutional Compliance Officer, who reports to the Vice President and General Counsel and the Stewardship Committee of the Villanova University Board of Trustees. The Office is responsible for the creation and maintenance of a compliance and ethics program that supports the University’s Mission and strategic goals and promotes the highest ethical standards by members of the University Community in the pursuit of the University’s academic, administrative, athletic, engagement and research activities.  

The University Compliance Officer prioritizes compliance areas to be addressed in Annual Work Plans presented for consideration and approval to the Vice President and General Counsel and the Stewardship Committee.

The UCO’s Mission Statement emphasizes the elements for an effective compliance and ethics program, one that serves  to strengthen the compliance infrastructure that is in place to support faculty, staff, and students in all of their academic, administrative, athletic, engagement and research undertakings.

Effective March, 2014, President Donohue and his senior leadership appointed the members of the University Compliance and Ethics Program Advisory Committee.  The Committee includes broad based representation from faculty and staff, many of whom work in key areas of compliance oversight at Villanova. The Committee members share their knowledge, subject matter expertise, and experience, to help guide the compliance and ethics program’s identification, assessment, and prioritization of compliance and ethics initiatives at Villanova for years to come.

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Our Contact Information

Email: universitycompliance@villanova.edu

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