Georgia Tech working to close major increase in ethics complaints

Officials moving to resolve cases faster
Georgia Institute of Technology President Bud Peterson. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Georgia Institute of Technology President Bud Peterson. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Georgia Tech is continuing to receive a “significantly” high number of internal ethics complaints, but they’re completing those investigations faster, according to a new report from its president.

Georgia Tech has 106 open cases, according to the five-page report from its president, G.P. "Bud" Peterson, to University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley. The report said Tech, which has been slow in completing internal investigations, has cleared 178 cases since July 1.

Peterson sent his report to Wrigley on Monday as part of an update on how Georgia Tech is handling complaints and improving its ethics culture. Wrigley said in a letter to Peterson Tuesday that Georgia Tech “summarizes significant progress being made.”

University System officials meet weekly with Georgia Tech to review the status of ongoing cases and assist, which both groups said has sped up the investigative process.

The report includes an update on the hiring search of several key positions, such as the vice president for ethics, compliance and legal affairs.