Compliance

Harvest Christian University Programs

University Office of University Ethics and Compliance

Department University Ethics and Compliance

Executive Office of the Ethics and Compliance Department at Harvest Christian University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Milton Williams as the Executive Director of the Office of University Ethics and Compliance, effective immediately. Appointed by University President Archbishop Dr. Carl Robinson, Dr. Williams will oversee ethics and compliance programs across all university departments, including professors, vice-chancellors, campus extensions, the university provost, alumni relations, university systems, and the board of regents and governors. Dr. Williams will report directly to Archbishop Robinson, ensuring adherence to the highest ethical standards and compliance with university policies.

Qualifications

Dr. Milton R. Williams, Jr.

Corporal, Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol President, AgLife, LLC CEO, Men United, Incorporated Education High School Diploma, South Panola High School, 2006 Certificate in ASL, Ole Miss, 2006 A.A. in Criminal Justice, Mississippi Delta Community College, 2009 Studies in Criminology, Delta State University, 2009-2011 Pilot License (107 Certification), MzeroA Ground School, 2017 Employment and Experience Mississippi Department of Corrections Training Academy: Correctional Officer U.S. Marshals Service Task Force: Intern Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol: Corporal Chief of Security, Roosters Square University Campus Vice President of Operations, Delta Southern UAS President, AgLife, LLC Founder & CEO, Men United, Incorporated President, Quitman County Economic Development Training and Skills Interview and Interrogation Executive Protection Computer Flight Software Youth Mentoring and Community Project Management.

University Introduction to Ethics and Compliance

Overview of the Office's mission and objectives

Role of Dr. Milton Williams as Executive Director

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight

Implementation of compliance programs across university departments

Monitoring adherence to legal and ethical standards

Authorizations and Licenses

Management of university licenses and permits

Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements

Financial Management

Oversight of financial procedures and revenue cycle management

Coordination with finance department for audits and risk assessments

Administrative Procedures

Development and enforcement of administrative guidelines

Streamlining processes for efficiency

Honorary Doctoral Guidelines

Establishment of criteria and procedures for awarding honorary degrees

Compliance with academic standards

Legal Department Coordination

Collaboration with legal advisors on compliance issues

Handling of legal disputes and liabilities

Social Media and Intellectual Property

Policies for managing university's social media presence

Protection of university intellectual property rights

Contracts and Ethical Standards

Review and approval of university contracts

Promotion of ethical conduct among staff and students

University Guidelines Implementation

Development of comprehensive university-wide guidelines

Training programs to ensure understanding and compliance

Regulation, Compliance, and Restriction Management

Strategies for enforcing compliance and managing restrictions

Procedures for handling non-compliance, dismissals, and liabilities

Reporting Structure

Reporting to the University President Archbishop Dr. Carl Robinson

Regular updates to the Board of Regents and Governors.

Compliance for University Officers, Faculty, Teachers, and Adjunct Professors at Harvest Christian University

Centralized Oversight and Leadership

The Office of University Ethics and Compliance, led by the Executive Director Dr. Milton Williams, oversees all compliance programs at Harvest Christian University. This office is responsible for ensuring that university officers, faculty, teachers, adjunct professors, and staff adhere to the highest ethical standards and comply with all university policies and relevant regulations.

Harvest Christian University Faculty Compliance

Key Areas of Compliance

Ethics and Conduct: All university personnel are expected to uphold strict ethical guidelines, promote integrity, and foster a harassment-free work environment. This includes adherence to policies regarding sexual and other forms of harassment, as well as maintaining professional and respectful conduct at all times.
Regulatory and Legal Compliance: The office manages university licenses, permits, and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements. It works closely with legal advisors to address compliance issues, handle legal disputes, and mitigate liabilities.
Financial and Administrative Compliance: Oversight includes financial procedures, revenue cycle management, and coordination with the finance department for audits and risk assessments. Administrative guidelines are developed and enforced to streamline processes and ensure efficiency.
Academic Standards: The office establishes and monitors compliance with academic standards, including the criteria and procedures for awarding honorary degrees and maintaining the integrity of academic programs.
Social Media and Intellectual Property: Policies are in place to govern the university’s social media presence and protect its intellectual property rights.
Contracts and University Guidelines: All contracts undergo review and approval to ensure alignment with ethical standards. Comprehensive university-wide guidelines are developed, with training programs to ensure understanding and compliance among all staff and faculty.

Procedures and Enforcement

Training and Communication: Regular training programs are conducted to ensure that all university officers, faculty, and adjunct professors understand compliance requirements and university policies.
Monitoring and Reporting: The Office of University Ethics and Compliance monitors adherence to these standards and provides clear procedures for reporting non-compliance, handling dismissals, and managing liabilities.
Job Descriptions and Evaluations: Each employee receives a job description upon employment and is evaluated, at least in part, against these descriptions to ensure role clarity and accountability.

Harvest Christian University Systems Compliance Statements

The compliance statements for each role at Harvest Christian University, reflecting the university’s commitment to ethical standards, policy adherence, and accountability:

President:
As President, I am committed to upholding the highest ethical standards and ensuring full compliance with all university policies, regulations, and accreditation requirements in every aspect of institutional governance and leadership.

Vice Chancellor:
As Vice Chancellor, I pledge to maintain strict adherence to university compliance protocols, supporting the President in fostering an environment of integrity, transparency, and accountability across all academic and administrative operations.

Chief Operating Officer (COO):
As COO, I ensure that all operational procedures and administrative functions align with university policies and legal requirements, prioritizing compliance in resource management and institutional effectiveness.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO):
As CEO, I am responsible for overseeing compliance with all organizational policies, ethical guidelines, and regulatory standards, ensuring the university’s mission and objectives are achieved lawfully and ethically.

Provost:
As Provost, I am dedicated to maintaining academic integrity and compliance with educational standards, ensuring all faculty and academic programs adhere to university and accreditation policies.

Deputy Protocol:
As Deputy Protocol, I uphold university compliance in all ceremonial, official, and diplomatic engagements, ensuring all protocols and guidelines are strictly followed.

Security Enforcement:
As Security Enforcement officer, I commit to enforcing campus safety policies and compliance with all security regulations, safeguarding the well-being of the university community.

Alumni Relations:
As Alumni Relations officer, I ensure all alumni engagement and communications comply with university standards, privacy regulations, and ethical fundraising practices.

Academic Senate:
As a member of the Academic Senate, I am dedicated to upholding academic policies, ethical standards, and compliance with all governance procedures in academic decision-making.

Board of Regents:
As a Regent, I am responsible for ensuring the university’s strategic direction and oversight are conducted in full compliance with institutional policies, legal standards, and fiduciary duties.

Advisory Council:
As a member of the Advisory Council, I commit to providing guidance and recommendations that align with university compliance standards and ethical practices.

University Systems:
As University Systems administrator, I ensure all technological and operational systems comply with data protection, privacy laws, and university IT policies.

Teachers, Faculty, Instructors, and Adjunct Professors:
As a member of the teaching staff, I am committed to delivering instruction and conducting research in accordance with university policies, ethical guidelines, and all applicable academic standards.

These statements reflect the university’s unified approach to compliance, as overseen by the Office of University Ethics and Compliance, and the expectation that all officers and staff act with integrity and accountability in their respective roles

Harvest Christian University Royal Charter

Harvest Christian University Royal School

Royal Charter Accreditation

Royal schools that operate under a Royal charter are not regulated by the federal or state government in public schools. Schools with a Royal charter, such as Canford School, Christ's Hospital, and King's College School, among others, are established through a formal document issued by the monarch or other royal figure, granting them certain rights and privileges.

A Royal charter and regulation serve distinct purposes in governance. A Royal charter is a formal document issued by the monarch, granting independent legal standing to an organization and defining its objectives. These charters have been used since the 12th century to incorporate companies, public bodies, cities, universities, and professional institutions. They confer legal personality on the organization and define its powers to govern its own affairs.

These regulation involve rules and standards set by the governmental bodies to oversee various aspects of an organization's operations. While a Royal charter grants autonomy and legal status to an entity, regulation involves monitoring compliance with specific laws, guidelines, or standards set by the governmental bodies. For example, in the context of press regulation, a Royal charter may establish a body to oversee press regulation without directly regulating the press itself.

In summary, a Royal charter provides legal status and independence to an organization, while regulation involves setting and enforcing rules and standards for compliance within a particular sector or industry.

The benefits of having a Royal Charter for Organizations include:

Recognition of professional expertise and status within the field.
Professional recognition from peers and the public.
Protection of the profession's status and reputation.
Increased public confidence and awareness.
Enhanced profile for the organization and its members.
Strengthening of the organization's brand and creating aspiration.
Potential for increased membership and retention.
Opportunity to act in the public interest while maintaining autonomy.

These benefits highlight how a Royal charter can elevate an organization's standing, provide credibility, and enhance its impact within its area of expertise.

Schools Granted Royal

Organizations granted a Royal include:

Aberystwyth University
Air Training Corps
Arts Council England
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Association of Corporate Treasurers
Harvest Christian University ( Royal School )
Bank of England
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
British Red Cross
Cardiff University
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI)
Royal Society of Chemistry
Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Surgeons
Scouts Australia

These organizations, among many others, have been granted a Royal charter, which confers independent legal personality on them and defines their objectives

Funding Resources

Royal charter universities, like other higher education institutions, can access a variety of funding sources for research, learning and teaching, skills development, and innovation. These sources include government agencies, research councils, and charitable organizations. For instance, in Scotland, around £1.6 billion a year is invested in universities and colleges for various purposes, including research and innovation.

Research England, part of UK Research and Innovation, is responsible for funding English higher education institutions (HEIs), supporting them in delivering national agendas.

Research councils, such as the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), are major public investors in fundamental research, distributing significant funding across a broad range of subjects.

Additionally, charitable organizations and learned societies, such as The Royal Society, The British Academy, and The Leverhulme Trust, provide grants and scholarships for research and education across various academic disciplines.

Royal charter universities also benefit from their autonomy, which allows them to govern their own affairs independently. This autonomy is legally established either by Royal Charter or as legally-defined higher education corporations, giving these institutions " the right to award degrees and receive public funding ' on the same basis as others.

With their autonomy, royal charter universities must still adhere to quality and financial sustainability standards set by The Royal Department of Education regulatory bodies which is the Quality Assurance Agency and the Higher Education Funding Council.

ROYAL ACCREDITATION

Harvest Christian University holds distinguished “Royal Accreditation” through the Kingdom of Hawai‘i Royal Accreditation Commission (KOHRAC), an independent accreditation authority established in January 2018 by HRM King Edmund K. Paki-Silva Jr. KOHRAC was chartered by royal decree to provide formal recognition and quality assurance for educational institutions that center Indigenous knowledge, methodologies, and cultural values within their curricula.

KOHRAC’s accreditation framework is unique in that it bridges conventional Western educational standards with Indigenous “Ways of Knowing,” ensuring that programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels meet rigorous academic criteria while honoring the traditions and perspectives of Indigenous peoples worldwide. This includes accreditation for higher education, Indigenous teacher education, pre-school to 12th grade, and trade schools and certifications.

The authority for KOHRAC accreditation is issued by the Sovereign King of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i, and the commission is tasked not only with monitoring curriculum but also with developing culturally relevant assessment tools and progress measurement systems.

KOHRAC’s mission is to provide Indigenous peoples-representing more than 6% of the global population-with access to high-quality, culturally-affirming education.

In addition to KOHRAC, Harvest Christian University is recognized by other international accrediting bodies and is actively pursuing further regional accreditation to broaden its academic standing and reach. Royal accreditation affirms the university’s commitment to academic excellence, Indigenous empowerment, and global educational standards, positioning it as a leader in innovative, inclusive higher education.

This royal accreditation enhances the university’s credibility, supports its mission of serving diverse and Indigenous communities, and ensures that its graduates receive qualifications respected both within Indigenous contexts and in the broader academic and professional world.

Accrediting Body

Harvest Christian University holds accreditation with several international accrediting bodies, including:

Board of Quality Standards (BQS)
Kingdom of Hawai’i Royal Accreditation Commission (KOHRAC)
Harvest Christian University’s own Department of Extension Campus Accreditation (DECA), which accredits extension campuses, church ministries, and Indigenous learning centers in alignment with the university’s mission and core principles.

Summary Statement

BENEFITS OF A ROYAL CHARTER & ACCREDITATION

Harvest Christian University is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is classified as a public charity under Section 509(a)(1), pursuant to the provisions of Sections 508(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). This designation allows the university to receive tax-deductible contributions and affirms its commitment to public support and charitable purposes.

Legal Status and IRS Code Compliance

Harvest Christian University operates as a nonprofit educational institution under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This designation means the university is recognized as a tax-exempt, charitable organization, eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions and grants.

Section 508 of the IRS code generally provides

Grants & Funding

Grant-giving trusts and foundations fund research at Royal charter universities by providing grants that can range from a few hundred dollars to multi-million dollar awards. These trusts and foundations derive their income primarily from endowments, which are capital sums given by individuals, families, or companies.

Philanthropic organizations often have specific areas of interest or strategic priorities, and they fund projects that align with their mission. For instance, they may support research that has a clear need, such as for general purposes, buildings, equipment, or special projects. They look for how the grant fits with the university's mission and strategy, as well as the demonstrable impact of the research.

The process of obtaining funding from these trusts and foundations typically involves submitting a proposal that outlines the research project, its objectives, and its expected outcomes. The proposal must also demonstrate how the project aligns with the funding body's interests and priorities. Successful applications are those that can show a clear benefit to society or advancement in the field of study.

DISCLAIMER: Harvest Christian University is dedicated to protecting the rights of its alumni and students. Any unauthorized use of the university’s name, practices, degree awards, logos, signatures, or marketing of its intellectual property is strictly prohibited and punishable by law