Institutional processes for dealing with allegations of misconduct are still developing in response to the highly publicized cases of the past 20 years. If you have not been accused of misconduct, and if you do not have reason to believe that you have witnessed misconduct, then you may have little interest in the details of how allegations of misconduct are handled. However, if you become involved in an allegation of misconduct, it is essential that you understand the obligations and protections afforded to all parties. However, despite the apparent clarity, the process of addressing allegations of misconduct is generally painful for everyone involved. If you believe you have witnessed serious misconduct, you should collect documentation and seek out perspective.
Documentation is essential.
Without records, photocopies, dated notes, etc., an allegation of misconduct will probably carry little weight. Conversely, you should seek out perspective to be sure that your concerns are not either frivolous or the result of a misunderstanding. One important way to do this is to identify one or more disinterested, but knowledgeable, advisors, who can help you objectively evaluate your concerns. Some institutions now have an ombudsman program, in which faculty volunteer to make themselves available for confidential inquiries from individuals in their own or in other Departments. The UCSD School of Medicine has an Ombudsman Program .