Examples of potential bribery scenarios

Case 1

You are establishing a new collaborative course with a partner organisation overseas. The course you wish to run needs to be officially recognised within the relevant state and you are asked to pay a cash fee to a public official to ensure that recognition is given in time for recruitment to commence.

If the fee you are asked to pay is a legal requirement then it is acceptable to make the payment but only in accordance with the University’s Financial Regulations and Procedures. If the payment is not a legal requirement it is defined as bribery.

Case 2

You take a prospective donor to dinner but infer that you expect a donation to be made in return.

While it is not illegal to provide hospitality it should be clear that there is no obligation on the part of those to whom it is offered that any advantage is expected as a result.

Case 3

A parent of an applicant who is also a potential donor to your Department contacts you and indicates that they may be willing to make a donation to the University were their child to be accepted onto their chosen course of study or, if their child is already studying at the University, if their child’s grades are enhanced or a requirement for their child to withdraw from the University is reversed.

Either case would be classified as bribery by the parent as it would lead to an advantage to the University and, therefore, would need to be handled by University Staff with care. Standard admissions, examination and assessment policies must be followed through all stages of the student applications process and the Policy on the Solicitation and Acceptance of Gifts must be followed in the case of donations made.