The University System of Georgia (USG), in concert with Georgia Tech, conducted a thorough investigation into a potential conflict of interest after an anonymous report to the University System of Georgia’s ethics line. The investigation found Hoeting had violated USG and Georgia Tech conflict of interest policies in the way business was conducted with a sales representative with whom he had a personal relationship.

Georgia Tech collaborated with the USG to finalize the investigation.

Georgia Tech purchased approximately $6 million in firewall equipment to protect the Institute’s system from cyberattack. While the USG investigation found no evidence that Georgia Tech overpaid for the equipment, Hoeting’s failure to formally disclose the conflict of interest constituted a violation of both Georgia Tech and System policy.

Jim Fortner, the interim executive vice president for Administration and Finance, will be working to name new leadership in the near future.

The results from the Ethical Culture Indicator survey, conducted by the BB&T Center for Ethical Leadership at the University of North Georgia last September 2018, are now available online on the Institute’s Ethics website. These results have been widely distributed and discussed at the unit/department level on campus.

“We are grateful to the University System and the BB&T Center for Ethical Leadership for its thorough work on our behalf, and the increased focus on ethical conduct at Georgia Tech is having its intended effect,” said President G.P. “Bud” Peterson. “Staff have been empowered to use ethics reporting lines, the time to complete investigations has been reduced, and ethical lapses have led to appropriate personnel actions where warranted.”

The report is available at gatech.edu/about/ethics along with Georgia Tech’s response, which can be found on pages 162-64.

In addition to conducting the Ethical Climate Indicator survey and disseminating the results to the entire campus community, Georgia Tech has created the Office of the General Counsel and Vice President for Ethics and Compliance; established a business conflict of interest inquiry and review process; formed additional review and oversight of key procurements; enhanced case management of complaints received through EthicsPoint; expanded activities on campus for the USG Ethics Awareness Week in November; and changed the reporting structure so that the chief audit executive reports directly to the president. The campus is also in the final stages of establishing new Core Values and expected behaviors for faculty, staff, and students.