A photo of Montgomery College, Germantown campus

Compliance Matters

Updates from the Office of Compliance, Risk, and Ethics
June 2023
Photo of Susan Watson.

Spotlight: Chief Compliance, Risk, and Ethics Officer

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Susan V. Watson as the new chief compliance, risk, and ethics officer. In her new position, she manages the College’s effort to conform to laws and regulations at the county, state, and federal levels. She oversees collegewide compliance, the confidential reporting line, and the internal audit, Title IX, and youth protection areas.

Ms. Watson’s career includes more than 20 years as an attorney in private practice engaged in both litigation and regulatory counseling. Since 2019 she served as Prince George’s Community College’s senior director of compliance, and as the Title IX and ADA coordinator. She earned a bachelor of science degree in pre-law from the University of Maryland and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Ms. Watson is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP), a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), and a member of the bar in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Please join us in welcoming Ms. Watson to her new position.
A pole with one arrow pointing to the west that reads “policy”, a second arrow pointing to the east that reads “procedure”, and a third arrow pointing to the west that reads “law”.

Policies, Procedures, and the Law

Have you ever wondered what is the difference between a policy, a procedure, and a law?
Policies at Montgomery College are established and adopted by the Board of Trustees. They align with federal and state laws and regulations and provide the principle framework for decision making and the conduct of College activities.
Procedures are issued by the College president and provide detail steps on how to comply with policies and/or a standard method for implementing actions.
Laws, as defined by Black's Law Dictionary, are a body of rules of action prescribed by controlling authority, and having binding legal force.
The College is bound to abide by the federal and state laws governing higher education. Because these laws sometimes are not easy to interpret or implement, MC's policies and procedures often provide a more easily understood summary of legal expectations. It is critical that employess abide by MC's policies and procedures as we carry out the work of the institution.
Please check the College policies and procedures as a routine matter when you need guidance on a given issue. It is likely you will find the answer to your questions. Remember, policies apply to you and your work at the College. Check them out!
Volunteer identification card.

Minors on Campus—As Volunteers

The protection of minors policy protects those under 18 years of age who are not enrolled at Montgomery College but participate in programs and activities associated with the College. The youth protection compliance steps must be followed if the College engages with a minor who is not enrolled. These steps are:
  • The event must be registered with the compliance office.
  • The employee responsible for supervising the minor during the event must have completed CJIS fingerprinting and the protecting youth online course.
  • The minor must be registered as a volunteer with the Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management office.
For more information, please review College Policy and Procedure 75005—Protection of Minors, contact our Youth Protection Coordinator Kristen Roe at 240-567-4279, or Annalee Antalan in HRSTM regarding the process for registering a volunteer at 240-567-5009.
A genealogy tree, and the quote

Respect

Respect is one of the College’s ethical values. Demonstrating respect to our coworkers, students, and vendors is a responsibility we all share. Disrespect in the workplace exists because it is tolerated by people who look the other way. Respect starts with you!
MC ethical standards wheel, with honesty highlighted in green.

What Does Honesty Look Like in the Workplace?

Here are a few ideas for how you might embody this value in your everyday interactions:
  • Report time worked accurately.
  • Communicate in a forthright manner.
  • Use College time and resources in the best interests of the College, rather than for personal benefit.
  • Demonstrate integrity in accounting for College time.
Interested in learning more? Check out the College's Ethical Expectations Guide. Developed by a workgroup of twelve employees from across the College, this resource offers practical guidance for living out the Code of Ethics while on the job. We invite you to delve into this booklet and make it your own: identify at least one concrete action you can take to help create a thriving ethical culture at MC.
Report a concern via EthicsPoint
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