Welcome to the Office of Compliance and Ethics
At Governors State
University, we are committed to fostering a community of integrity,
responsibility, and ethical conduct. Our Office of Compliance and Ethics serves
as a guiding force, ensuring that all members of our university community
adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior and compliance with
applicable laws and regulations.
Meet the University
Director of Compliance: Kaitlyn Anne Wild
In early 2021, GovState created
the Office of Compliance and Ethics when it hired Kaitlyn Anne Wild as its first
Director of Compliance. After having worked as an attorney in a private
practice for ten years, Ms. Wild was excited to join GovState and support the
university in its mission.
Since joining GovState, Ms. Wild has further taken on the roles of Ethics Officer, Title IX
Coordinator, and FOIA Officer. Now, in addition to guiding the university on
matters of legal and regulatory compliance and ethics, she also assists employees
and students directly with their compliance and ethics questions and concerns.
Please feel free to contact Ms. Wild for any reason:
 | Kaitlyn Anne Wild, J.D., M.B.A.
(she/her/hers) Director of Compliance & Ethics Officer
Office of the General Counsel
1 University Parkway - G328
University Park, IL 60484
Office: 708.534.4846
Cell: 815.325.2910
kwild@govst.edu |
Office Responsibilities
Ethics Act Compliance: As the officially
designated Ethics Officer for GovState, the Director of Compliance oversees the University’s compliance with the Illinois State Officials and Employees Ethics
Act (5 ILCS 430). Her responsibilities include administering required ethics
and harassment/discrimination prevention trainings, reviewing employee
Statements and Supplemental Statements of Economic Interest, maintaining the University’s C-List and H-List under the “revolving door” provisions, and
liaising with the Office of the Executive Inspector General (OEIG) and the
Executive Ethics Commission (EEC) on behalf of the University.
Compliance Program
Stewardship: Our office has been tasked
with creating and stewarding GovState’s compliance program, which addresses the University’s statutory and regulatory obligations. We work with all other University departments to make compliance with applicable laws and regulations,
and the policies GovState puts in place under those laws and regulations, a priority
for the entire University community. More specifically, we are responsible for program
measures including running the annual “compliance awareness” survey for
employees, generating and submitting multiple annual reports to various other
State agencies, and compiling and distributing annual consumer information
disclosures.
Title IX Compliance: We oversee the University’s
Title IX program, and the Director of Compliance serves as the University’s
designated Title IX Coordinator. Our
responsibilities include promoting compliance with the various facets of the
Title IX law (20 U.S.C. § 1681) and regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106) and
administering the investigation and hearing procedures under the University’s
Title IX policy (Policy 78).
Oversight of Reporting
Channels: We are responsible for
assisting in the maintenance of accessible and confidential channels through
which employees and students can report sexual harassment, unlawful
discrimination or harassment, ethical concerns, and unlawful retaliation. Along with the Human Resources Department,
Office of the Dean of Students, Office of the General Counsel, and Department
of Public Safety, as appropriate, we also work to address all reports submitted
through such channels.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Compliance: We are responsible for the University’s compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). All incoming requests for records
under FOIA are collected by the Director of Compliance, who also serves as the University’s official designated FOIA Officer, and she oversees the University’s responses and production of records.
Office Services and Resources
Training Programs: Our office oversees all
mandatory annual trainings for University employees, including about ethical
conduct, harassment and discrimination prevention, cybersecurity awareness, and
mandatory reporting of at-risk children. We also oversee certain extracurricular
trainings for students, including about sexual harassment prevention and
bystander intervention. These training courses and programs are designed to
empower faculty, staff, and students with the knowledge and skills necessary to
navigate complex ethical, regulatory, and security situations.
Consultation Services: The Director of Compliance
is available for confidential consultations related to any of the areas
overseen by our office. Whether you have questions about University policies,
ethical concerns, or need guidance on a specific situation, she is here to help.
Reporting Mechanisms: We provide accessible and
confidential channels for reporting ethical concerns, and potential violations
of applicable laws, and instances of harassment or discrimination. Your voice
matters, and we are committed to maintaining an environment where individuals
feel safe coming forward with their concerns.
Educational Initiatives: We engage in ongoing
educational initiatives to raise awareness about discrimination prevention,
sexual harassment and violence prevention, and ethical issues and to promote a
culture of continuous improvement. This includes workshops, seminars, and
awareness campaigns.