Ttu ethics point complaints 1 3

Report #1 Submission Date

8/27/2013

Reported Company/Branch Information

Name Texas Tech University

Location

Texas Tech University - Lubbock

150 Administration Bldg. Box 42005

City/State/Zip Lubbock, TX, 79409

Violation Information

Issue Type

Inappropriate Supervisor Directive

Relationship to Institution

Other/Anonymous

What is the general nature of this matter?

Assistant Vice President Hugh Cronin of Facilities Management is purposefully barricading Texas Tech's Feral Cats under buildings without food or water, which is defined as animal cruelty under Texas law. Multiple times Cronin has said all cats have been removed and multiple times cats have been seen barricaded under buildings with no food or water.

How did you become aware of this possible violation?

Other

If other, how?

TTU employees and area animal service organizations

Where did this incident or possible violation occur?

Drane Hall over the last week, other buildings prior to this

Please provide the specific or approximate time this incident occurred.

Thursday evening August 22 all cats removed Friday morning August 23 two cats sighted behind metal grate with no food or water

Friday evening Cronin orders sheet metal installed so cats cannot be seen Monday August 26 - two more cats sighted after someone removed sheet metal. Tuesday August 27 - one more cat sighted

How long do you think this problem has been going on?

1 to 3 months

What leads you to believe the problem has been ongoing?

A June 3rd Tech announcement said the University would partner with local animal service organizations on cat removal. This turned out to be a complete untruth. Hugh Cronin did not

ask for and turned down numerous offers of aid on the safe and ethical removal of Tech's community cats.

Please identify the person(s) you feel are engaged in this behavior.

Hugh Cronin - Asst. VP

Chris Cook - Comm/Mktg

For the persons named above please indicate whether or not they are affiliated with Texas

Tech.

Yes, they are affiliated with TTU

Have you or someone else previously reported this problem to your supervisor or

management? If so, by whom, to whom, when, and how?

I wrote President Nellis on this very issue and received no reply

Do you suspect or know that a supervisor or management is involved?

Yes

If yes, then who?

Chris Cook wrote that PETA was involved in helping TTU address the issue. PETA officials, when contacted regarding Tech's animal cruelty, said they had not been contacted by TTU. Cook's blatant misrepresentation is an ethics violation.

What leads you to believe that a supervisor or management is involved?

Chris Cook wrote that PETA was involved in helping TTU address the issue. PETA officials, when contacted regarding Tech's animal cruelty, said they had not been contacted by TTU. Cook's blatant misrepresentation is an ethics violation.

Please identify any persons who have attempted to conceal this problem and the steps they

took to conceal it.

President Nellis ignored it Chancellor Hance ignored it

Details

There are many e-mails and pictures. The e-mails can be gotten internally via an IT search of Cronin's and Cook's communications. Pictures exist on the website for the Humane Society of West Texas and the State of the Division blog.

Follow-Up Notes

Sep 02, 2013, 12:38 PM - Reporter A petition for TTU to install one way excluder devices instead of sheet metal barricades was submitted to President Nellis. This petition had over 330 signatures and was sent due to the urgent need to allow cats out of crawl spaces to obtain food and water.

The Humane Society of West Texas has a second petition with roughly 1,000 signatures asking TTU to reconsider its heavy handed, uncooperative stategies in regard to feral cat removal. As of Labor Day 2013 cats have been barricaded under Drane Hall with no food or water for two

weeks. TTU administration has shown no concern over the welfare of these animals and ramped up its intimidation of people on TTU's campus who are concerned about Tech's animal cruelty. In one incident the TTU police were called and animal cruelty reported. Assistant Vice President

Hugh Cronin was verbally abusive to the person making the report

Sep 02, 2013, 1:54 PM - TTU Comment: Thank you for using the Ethics Point reporting system and for your additional

information. We are currently looking into this matter.

Sep 04, 2013, 7:39 PM - Reporter Reply: I request a formal reply to concerns stated in this report.

Sep 11, 2013, 11:00 PM - Reporter It's been two weeks since I submitted this concern. When might I hear something other than "we're looking into it?"

Sep 14, 2013, 3:53 PM - TTU Comment: Hugh Cronin is no longer with the university. After his departure, administration continued to seek opportunities to partner with the campus and the

student organization in an effort to strengthen the viability of the program intended to relocate the feral cats away from residence halls, dining halls, and child development center. Since your report, the university has partnered with the campus feral cat caregivers to ensure no cats are trapped under Drane Hall. During this process, another opening was discovered in the basement

allowing cats to freely enter and exit the building once again confirming cats had never been completely trapped underneath the building. Before the remaining opening is sealed, a university employee will again put on protective hazmat gear and crawl under the building to verify there are no cats. As soon as the campus feral cat caregivers and anyone else interested in this process

witness the search and are satisfied with the results, the opening will be permanently sealed. Thank you for using the Ethics Point reporting system.

Sep 15, 2013, 9:49 AM - Reporter Reply: Finding a hole after the fact does not impact facilities management's behavior or intent in the handling of this situation. It promised to collaborate, then never did.

Your response did not address the unprofessional behavior of Hugh Cronin (verbal abuse) or Chris Cook (lying). It did not address President Nellis' or Chancellor Hance's ignoring the problem for weeks to months.

If this is the quality of investigation at a University level I am sorely disappointed. It confirms my assessment that corporate compliance programs exist for show.

Report #2 Submission Date 10/7/2013



Location

Texas Tech University - Lubbock

150 Administration Bldg. Box 42005



Issue Type

Other Human Resource Concerns


Other/Anonymous


I would like to file a complaint regarding a previous Ethics Point "investigation." The "investigation" did not address any of a number of listed concerns regarding unethical leadership behavior at the top at Texas Tech University. I can only assume there are no standards for an

Ethics Point investigation. The one I received seemed Ethics Point-less.


It happened to me


In whichever office conducts EthicsPoint investigations or the offices above that one that ordered the investigator to avoid any stated issues and offer political sounding nonsense.


Sep 14, 2013, 3:53 PM


Don't know


The litany of false statements offered by Texas Tech administrators listed in my 8/27/13

complaint and the investigators complete avoidance of stating or addressing. I do know Chancellor Hance and President Nellis repeatedly ignored concerns submitted directly to them on the issue. I imagine it would have been very difficult for a lower level staffer to even ask questions that clearly revealed senior Tech administrators to be bald faced liars and bullies.


EthicsPoint Investigator Duane Nellis - President - Stuck head in sand Kent Hance - Chancellor - ignored lies by Tech marketing people and intimidation by Facilities

AVP


Tech.

All are affiliated with Texas Tech, unless Tech contracts out EthicsPoint investigations



Report Submission Date (My original complaint) 8/27/2013 Reported Company/Branch Information Name Texas Tech University

Location Texas Tech University - Lubbock 150 Administration Bldg. Box 42005 City/State/Zip Lubbock, TX, 79409

Violation Information Issue Type Inappropriate Supervisor Directive Relationship to Institution

Other/Anonymous What is the general nature of this matter? Assistant Vice President Hugh Cronin of Facilities Management is purposefully barricading Texas Tech's Feral Cats under buildings without food or water, which is defined as animal

cruelty under Texas law. Multiple times Cronin has said all cats have been removed and multiple times cats have been seen barricaded under buildings with no food or water. How did you become aware of this possible violation? Other

If other, how? TTU employees and area animal service organizations Where did this incident or possible violation occur? Drane Hall over the last week, other buildings prior to this

Please provide the specific or approximate time this incident occurred. Thursday evening August 22 all cats removed Friday morning August 23 two cats sighted behind metal grate with no food or water Friday evening Cronin orders sheet metal installed so cats cannot be seen

Monday August 26 - two more cats sighted after someone removed sheet metal. Tuesday August 27 - one more cat sighted How long do you think this problem has been going on? 1 to 3 months

What leads you to believe the problem has been ongoing? A June 3rd Tech announcement said the University would partner with local animal service organizations on cat removal. This turned out to be a complete untruth. Hugh Cronin did not ask for and turned down numerous offers of aid on the safe and ethical removal of Tech's community

cats. Please identify the person(s) you feel are engaged in this behavior. Hugh Cronin - Asst. VP Chris Cook - Comm/Mktg

For the persons named above please indicate whether or not they are affiliated with Texas Tech. Yes, they are affiliated with TTU Have you or someone else previously reported this problem to your supervisor or management?

If so, by whom, to whom, when, and how? I wrote President Nellis on this very issue and received no reply Do you suspect or know that a supervisor or management is involved?

Yes If yes, then who? Chris Cook wrote that PETA was involved in helping TTU address the issue. PETA officials, when contacted regarding Tech's animal cruelty, said they had not been contacted by TTU.

Cook's blatant misrepresentation is an ethics violation. What leads you to believe that a supervisor or management is involved? Chris Cook wrote that PETA was involved in helping TTU address the issue. PETA officials, when contacted regarding Tech's animal cruelty, said they had not been contacted by TTU.

Cook's blatant misrepresentation is an ethics violation. Please identify any persons who have attempted to conceal this problem and the steps they took to conceal it. President Nellis ignored it

Chancellor Hance ignored it Details There are many e-mails and pictures. The e-mails can be gotten internally via an IT search of Cronin's and Cook's communications. Pictures exist on the website for the Humane Society of

West Texas and the State of the Division blog. Follow-Up Notes Sep 02, 2013, 12:38 PM - Reporter

A petition for TTU to install one way excluder devices instead of sheet metal barricades was submitted to President Nellis. This petition had over 330 signatures and was sent due to the urgent need to allow cats out of crawl spaces to obtain food and water.

The Humane Society of West Texas has a second petition with roughly 1,000 signatures asking TTU to reconsider its heavy handed, uncooperative stategies in regard to feral cat removal. As of Labor Day 2013 cats have been barricaded under Drane Hall with no food or water for two

weeks. TTU administration has shown no concern over the welfare of these animals and ramped up its intimidation of people on TTU's campus who are concerned about Tech's animal cruelty. In one incident the TTU police were called and animal cruelty reported. Assistant Vice President

Hugh Cronin was verbally abusive to the person making the report Sep 11, 2013, 11:00 PM - Reporter It's been two weeks since I submitted this concern. When might I hear something other than

"we're looking into it?" Oct 02, 2013, 10:14 PM - Reporter Where do I file a complaint regarding this hapless ethics investigation? Are there no standards

for an Ethics Point investigation? This one is Ethics Pointless. Follow-Up Questions/Comments

Sep 02, 2013, 1:54 PM - TTU Comment: Thank you for using the Ethics Point reporting system and for your additional information. We are currently

looking into this matter. Sep 04, 2013, 7:39 PM - Reporter Reply: I request a formal reply to concerns stated in this report.

Sep 14, 2013, 3:53 PM - TTU Comment: Hugh Cronin is no longer with the university. After his departure, administration continued to seek opportunities to partner with the campus and the student organization in an

effort to strengthen the viability of the program intended to relocate the feral cats away from residence halls, dining halls, and child development center. Since your report, the university has partnered with the campus feral cat caregivers to ensure no cats are trapped under Drane Hall. During this process, another opening was discovered in the basement allowing cats to

freely enter and exit the building once again confirming cats had never been completely trapped underneath the building. Before the remaining opening is sealed, a university employee will again put on protective hazmat gear and crawl under the building to verify there are no cats. As soon as the campus feral cat caregivers and anyone else interested in this process witness the

search and are satisfied with the results, the opening will be permanently sealed. Thank you for using the Ethics Point reporting system. Sep 15, 2013, 9:49 AM - Reporter

Reply: Finding a hole after the fact does not impact facilities management's behavior or intent in the handling of this situation. It promised to collaborate, then never did. Your response did not address the unprofessional behavior of Hugh Cronin (verbal abuse) or

Chris Cook (lying). It did not address President Nellis' or Chancellor Hance's ignoring the problem for weeks to months. If this is the quality of investigation at a University level I am sorely disappointed. It confirms

my assessment that corporate compliance programs exist for show.


Yes

If yes, then who?

I know TTU Senior Leaders did nothing to make the Facilities AVP fulfill promises made.

They covered up his unethical and pathological behavior with "after the fact" findings that had nothing to do with the AVP's intent or behavior. It seems TTU leaders don't have ethics standards for communication if their top person can

offer a bald faced lie and this not be addressed at all in the investigation. The university's response feels like the usual political speech that dismisses serious concerns. Done in a university setting, it's especially egregious.


Someone clearly botched an investigation. I believe this was due to fear of reprisal from TTU

Senior Leaders for even asking my questions. That, or the investigator got nonsense speech

from the parties involved and had neither the status or protection to challenge such.


took to conceal it.

EthicsPoint would need to look at who was contacted by the investigator and their replies.

The "investigation" itself is hapless. It completely avoids the cruel behavior of the AVP Facilities and the lie from the Marketing/Communications leader.

Details

Having done many investigations over the years I could not believe the shoddiness of TTU's response to my initial EthicsPoint report. My concerns were not taken seriously and TTU's top leaders clearly endorsed the behavior of their underlings. Why did this occur?

Follow-Up Questions/Comments

Oct 09, 2013, 5:18 PM - TTU Comment: This matter has been fully investigated. Texas Tech will continue to pursue best practices to ensure the health, safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff in cooperation with the appropriate organizations for the humane treatment of the feral cat population.

Chief Audit Executive and CPA Texas Tech University System

Oct 10, 2013, 11:29 PM - Reporter Reply: Horse hockey. What EthicsPoint supplied me was far from a full investigation. I welcome the complete investigation report, which shows an evaluation of Hugh Cronin's intimidating behavior and Chris Cook's lying. Both were completely ignored in the EthicsPoint

reply to my initial concern. Tech made numerous promises then never delivered. Your statement, in light of Tech representatives’ unethical behavior, is patently false. I'm sure there are obligations within the

CPA code of ethics that you may wish to re-examine. Tech can lie and intimidate, but accountants are supposed to examine and report what they see.

http://www.accountingweb.com/article/8-ways-cpas-violate-aicpas-ethics-requirements/219544

Report #3 Submission Date

1/4/2014



Location

Texas Tech University - Lubbock 150 Administration Bldg. Box 42005



Issue Type

Conflict of Interest


Other/Anonymous


Tech leaders promised to collaborate with the student run Feral Cat organization on reducing

the number of feral cats on campus. Tech leaders never delivered on this promise, a huge ethical failure.


Other

If other, how?

Reports from Tech students and staff involved in Feral Cats as well as Lubbock animal service organization representatives.


Repeatedly in the top administrative offices and facilities management. Tech's Chris Cook in marketing and communications outright lied numerous times on this subject. That is also an ethics violation.


Over Christmas break Tech leaders again ramped up cat removal without contacting any Tech Feral students or supporting staff. Tech used university owned traps to catch the cats. Facilities staff stole the feeding bowls provided by Tech Feral and used them in the traps. Earlier this semester Tech staff stole cat shelters.


3 months to a year


The University began removing the cats in the summer. It chose to ramp up trapping again

while students were gone for Christmas break.


Kent Meredith - Facilities Management Duane Nellis - President


Tech.

Yes, both are affiliated with Texas Tech. Also, staff members who stole food bowls and cat shelters, although I do not know their names.



Yes, I reported Tech's failure to deliver on its promise to collaborate two times via EthicsPoint. One response stated "Hugh Cronin is no longer with the university. After his departure, administration continued to seek opportunities to partner with the campus and the

student organization in an effort to strengthen the viability of the program intended to relocate the feral cats away from residence halls, dining halls, and child development center." Administration did no such thing.


Yes

If yes, then who?

Kent Meredith and Duane Nellis.


Numerous contacts were made by e-mail with both parties. Nellis never responded to any concerns shared, while Meredith conducted the latest round of cat removal without contacting TechFeral students or staff.


took to conceal it.

Kent Meredith ignored concerns that staff were stealing food bowls and cat shelters. He was not the least bit forthcoming about the renewed strategy to remove cats from campus.

Details

Texas Tech University committed to collaborating with local animal service organizations on reducing the number of cats in the university's longstanding feral cat colony. Here's what collaboration looks like.

Plan - Involve feral cat caretakers, TTU students and staff, in ascertaining the feral cat population on campus. Determine solutions to identified concerns in conjunction with caretakers. Test those strategies to see their impact. Identify who is responsible for various parts of the plan. Meet regularly to share feedback on actions taken and course correct. Have

agreed upon measures for success and methods for communicating when surprises arise. Be forthright, open and honest in dealings with one another and the public. Tech did none of the above with the university's feral cat caretakers. Facilities Chief Hugh

Cronin and Marketing's Chris Cook started Tech's Feral Cat War in the heat of summer, which has been ably continued by new Facilities Chief Chief Kent Meredith. TTU accelerated cat trapping and removal during the Winter break. The university had the

audacity to steal bowls provided by cat caretakers and use those inside their traps. This move came after Tech staff removed shelters donated by cat caretakers.

Tech repeatedly shut out the very groups it promised to work with, thus it's clear the

university's intent was never to collaborate. At every turn Tech acted unilaterally with arrogance and hubris. Top administrators ignored expressed objections, breaking their silence only with worthless

replies to EthicsPoint complaints. I queried EthicsPoint on Tech's non-investigation and hapless response, which reiterated on September 14, 2013: "Hugh Cronin is no longer with the university. After his departure, administration continued

to seek opportunities to partner with the campus and the student organization in an effort to strengthen the viability of the program intended to relocate the feral cats away from residence halls, dining halls, and child development center. "

Over three months later Tech's collaboration mantra remains unfulfilled. EthicsPoint advised me to submit the concerns yet again. I may do so next year. Might TTU actually fulfill it's longstanding promise to collaborate with feral cat caretakers in

2014? Might it look like the Plan picture painted above? The ball is in (and has always been) in Tech's court.

Follow-Up Questions/Comments

Jan 09, 2014, 8:30 AM - TTU Comment: TTU administration is working toward a cooperative and successful feral cat

population on TTU’s campus that takes into consideration the health and safety of our faculty, staff, and students. Texas Tech administrators have planned to initiate a meeting with the President of TTU’s Feral Cat Association, a student organization registered with SGA in Fall 2013. The purpose of this meeting will be to jointly complete the City of Lubbock’s required

Feral Cat Caretaker Application. This will appropriately document TTU’s feral cat colony, including number of animals, identification, and appropriate feeding locations. Quarterly meetings will continue between TTU administrators and the President of TTU’s Feral Cat Association.

Sincerely, Texas Tech University Administration

Jan 11, 2014, 11:17 PM - Reporter Reply: This is the third promise to collaborate since June 3rd, 2013. "Planned to initiate a meeting" comes after "continued to seek opportunities to partner" which followed "in conjunction with" and "with the assistance of these organizations." The longer it goes the less

University administrators are willing to commit. So why didn't Tech administrators fulfill their prior commitments to collaborate, made on June 3rd and September 14th? You can say it, "because they didn't feel like it." Arrogance and hubris

are alive and well at the top of Texas Tech.

Jan 16, 2014, 11:15 PM - Reporter So why didn't Tech administrators fulfill their prior commitments to collaborate, made on June 3rd and September 14th?

It's a simple question and deserves an answer.

Jan 21, 2014, 1:22 PM - TTU

Comment: The meeting between University officials and Feral Cat Association officials is scheduled for this week. Kim Turner

Jan 21, 2014, 11:00 PM - Reporter Reply: That's not an answer as to why Tech officials did not fulfill their twice offered promise to

collaborate. Also, there was a trap outside Drane Hall this morning. The trap stated it was property of Texas Tech Operations Division. Speaking of property, your reply never addressed TTU's theft of

bowls and shelters provided by TechFeral and staff cat caregivers. It seems the university owes them an official apology, at the least, and even remuneration. It's amazing how educated people cannot answer the simplest why questions. It's sad university leadership has sunk to the lowest common denominator alongside political language.

Jan 23, 2014, 11:46 PM - Reporter Given the sorry nature of Tech's communications and the incredibly inept investigation and hapless response to my identified concerns, my next step is to file a complaint with SACSCOC. Rest assured I'll include the CPA who gave my concerns short shrift.

Jan 27, 2014, 10:05 AM - TTU Comment: University administrators met with the co-advisors and the president of the Tech Feral Cat Coalition on Friday, 1/24/14. The tone of the meeting was described as positive and

collaborative. Some highlights: • The Coalition will complete and submit the city’s Feral Cat Caretaker Application. • Feeding locations and times will be jointly defined, with approved feeders clearly labeled. All

other feeders will be removed. • Trapping and management of the cat population will be handled by the Coalition as long as the Coalition is active on campus. • TTU will be developing an OP related to animals on campus (including feral cats) and will seek

input from the Coalition. There will be disciplinary provisions included in the OP for tampering with or altering items that could have an adverse effect on a successful feral cat colony. • Quarterly meetings will be held between AVP Operations and the president of Tech Feral Cat Coalition to discuss what has been done over the past 3 months, what’s working, areas for

improvement, and plans for next 3 months. • Only communications from the president of Tech Feral Cat Coalition will be responded to by

AVP Operations (or others in administration). All other interested parties in TTU’s feral cat colony should communicate concerns to the president of the Tech Feral Cat Coalition.

You should direct any future questions or concerns about the feral cat population to the Tech Feral Cat Coalition. Future complaints through EthicsPoint will be communicated to the Coalition and the complaint closed.

Sincerely, Kim Turner

Jan 30, 2014, 8:34 PM - Reporter Reply: Typical future oriented horse hockey with no, as in zero, explanations for past unethical behavior. My grandfather was a CPA and quite proud of his profession. I'm sure he'd be appalled by your hapless investigation, in addition to other changes in the accounting profession.

Interesting that compliance is a tool to discipline employees donating their time, money and expertise. It's not a vehicle for people to receive a fair hearing or get their ethical concerns answered.

Tech's heavy hand remains regarding this issue. Congratulations on TTU's bullying staff and students. I'm fairly sure no students will want to be part of this program, given the way the University ran over their group from June 2013 to January 24, 2014.

Tech will pay for this financially, just as Angelo State did under President Jim Hindman. It remains to be seen what kind of pest infestation Tech gets. Will it be mice or rats? They are a great food source for snakes. Whatever Tech gets it will be justly earned.

Also, once you remove a stable neutered cat population Tech is open territory for unfixed cats. I expect in three years Tech will have more cats than exist in Kent Hance's or Duane Nellis' nightmares.

Education

Ttu ethics point complaints 1 3