Report: Ohio State University needs ethics office

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Consultants recommend that Ohio State hire a vice president to oversee a new office and committee that would monitor ethics and rules compliance across the university system.

The suggestion presented in a report Thursday to the university's board of trustees is a response to the school's football memorabilia scandal but would apply to numerous departments including athletics.

The report also recommends the university ensure that employees are appropriately trained, develop a risk-assessment methodology and monitor risks. Key risks would be subject to consistent monitoring.

A code of ethics would be expanded university-wide and reviewed at least once every five years.

The review by the Menlo Park, Calif.-based Protiviti Inc. looked at rules compliance across the university, with an emphasis on athletics, research, student financial aid and the medical center.