University Internal Audit (IA) is designated to receive formal whistleblower complaints from employees and third parties on campus. These complaints can involve improper governmental activities or significant threats to health and safety.
Internal Audit coordinates the assessment of the proper course of action for processing such complaints. The department may assist in conducting internal investigations or coordinate investigations conducted for the campus by other internal or external investigators.
Improper Governmental Activities
Executive Order No. 1115 (Article II, § G) defines Improper Governmental Activity, reportable as a Whistleblower Disclosure, as an activity that:
- Is in violation of any state or federal law or regulation, including, but not limited to, corruption, malfeasance, bribery, theft of government property, fraudulent claims, fraud, coercion, conversion, malicious prosecution, misuse of government property, misuse of state expenditures, including allocations, loans, or grants, or willful omission to perform duty, or
- Is economically wasteful, involves gross misconduct, incompetence, or inefficiency. For the purposes of this policy, “Improper Governmental Activity” includes Significant Threats to Health or Safety and Illegal Orders.
Note: Reporting of actual or suspected Fiscal Improprieties is included under Improper Governmental Activities.
Quick Links: Whistleblower Complaints
- WHAT TO REPORT (including Fiscal Improprieties)
- HOW TO REPORT
- PROTECTION FROM RETALIATION
- COMPLAINT FORMS
- Complaint Procedures for Protected Disclosure of Improper Governmental Activities and/or Significant Threats to Health or Safety (EO 1115)
- Complaint Procedure for Allegations of Retaliation for Having Made a Protected Disclosure under the California Whistleblower Protection Act (EO 1116)
You may also file a whistleblower complaint with the California State Auditor by contacting:
P.O. Box 1019
Sacramento, CA 95812
Fax: (916) 322-2603
Whistleblower Hotline: (800) 952-5665
The California State Auditor does not accept complaints by email, but you may click here to file a complaint online.
Other Resources: Submitting Non-Whistleblower Complaints
Please note that Complaints concerning Title IX/DHR are investigated by the campus Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.
DHR stands for “Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation.”
The Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy (EO 1095) addresses Title IX prohibited conduct, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, and sexual harassment, and DHR prohibited conduct, including discrimination based on other protected statuses defined by federal and California law including, Age, Disability (physical and mental), Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Nationality, Race or Ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), Religion (or religious creed) and Veteran or Military Status. These capitalized terms are defined in the CSU Interim Nondiscrimination Policy. The Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy also prohibits retaliation for exercising one’s rights under the policy, including opposing conduct that one believes in good faith is discrimination or harassment because of a protected status, or for participating, in any manner, in any related investigation or hearing.
- How to Submit: Non-Whistleblower Complaints (i.e., Title IX and DHR Complaints)
- TITLE IX/DHR REPORTING FORM
- Cal State LA Office of Civil Rights and Title IX
- Cal State LA Non-Discrimination Statement
Please also note that complaints containing allegations that are personnel, labor relations or management issues, generally do not fall under the scope of the Whistleblower Investigation Process and are therefore not investigated by University Internal Audit. These complaints should be directed to Human Resources Management (HRM).
HRM contact information can be found at https://www.calstatela.edu/hrm/contact-us.