for
the Amherst campus of the University of Massachusetts
Nov.
10, 2000
|
Page: 'Appropriate' action taken in off-campus work case by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff  ollowing
an internal audit of allegations that University resources were used
by Physical Plant employees to do work at a campus administrator's
house this past summer, the vice chancellor for Administration and
Finance said last week that "appropriate" personnel actions
have been taken in the matter, but said those actions are confidential.In a prepared statement, Page said, "The audit concluded that the previous personnel actions taken by the Physical Plant management after its own investigation were appropriate, given all the facts and circumstances of the incident in question." The incident involved several Physical Plant workers who were allegedly involved in helping out another Physical Plant worker, who had been hired to do some maintenance work on the Pine Street home of Personnel administrator Jim Coopee. "University employees may work for other employees on their off-duty hours," said Page. "University employees may hire other employees for private work, as long as there is no supervisory relationship involved. That was the situation in this case. No legal or ethical violation occurred." Page said that during the course of the internal audit, UMass Police were informed of the facts. After the police reviewed the information, Chief Jack Luippold said that no criminal investigation would be pursued. "This incident is behind us," said Page. "Appropriate investigations have taken place and appropriate action has been taken." The University will be reviewing additional communication efforts to employees concerning outside employment activities, said the statement. |
