UCSC Whistleblower and Whistleblower Protection Policies

The University has a responsibility to conduct its affairs ethically and in compliance with the law. If you suspect that a UCSC employee is engaged in improper governmental activities, you should know that UC has policies on reporting suspected improper governmental activities and protection from retaliation for make such a report.

Improper governmental activities include:

  • Violations of state or federal laws or regulations (e.g., corruption, malfeasance, bribery, theft or misuse of government property, fraud, coercion, conversion);
  • Economic waste; and
  • Gross misconduct, gross incompetence or gross inefficiency.

Reporting and Resources

Students on the UCSC Campus

Making a Whistleblower Report

You can report suspected improper governmental activities via one of these resources:

  • Your Supervisor, Manager, or Department Head
     
  • UC Systemwide Whistleblower Hotline
  • UC Santa Cruz Locally Designated Official (LDO)
    • Anna Finn, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and Locally Designated Official
  • California State Auditor
    • Online Complaint Form or call 800-952-5665
    • For more information about reporting to this outside agency, please see the Whistleblower page on the State Auditor’s website 

Whistleblower matters are evaluated under the systemwide Whistleblower Policy. The University accepts anonymous whistleblower reports.  Anonymous whistleblowers should provide sufficient detail so that the University can properly evaluate the complaint.  In the absence of sufficient detail and corroborating evidence, the University may not be able to investigate the complaint.

A view of the ocean near UCSC

Making a Whistleblower Retaliation Report

The University prohibits retaliation against employees who in good faith, report suspected ethical, legal or policy violations. 

Students, employees and applicants for employment, and others who believe they have been subjected to retaliation for making a protected disclosure or refusing to obey an illegal order may file a complaint with the Retaliation Complaint Officer:

Anna Finn, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and Locally Designated Official
Email: wbreport@ucsc.edu

The complaint must be in writing and policy requires that reporters submit a signed and sworn statement made under penalty of perjury that its contents are true or are believed to be true. Whistleblower retaliation matters are evaluated under the systemwide Whistleblower Protection Policy.

Last modified: Mar 27, 2025