Academic Affairs Manual (ACD)

Effective: 1/27/1986

Revised: 11/1/2006

ACD 204–01: Faculty Code of Ethics

Purpose

To define the faculty code of ethics

Source

Academic Senate

Applicability

Faculty

Faculty Code of Ethics

These ethical principles and types of unacceptable behavior are organized around the individual faculty member’s relation to teaching and students, scholarship, university, colleagues, and community. Since university discipline, as distinguished from other forms of reproval, should be reserved for faculty misconduct that is either serious in itself, or is made serious through its repetition or its consequences, the following general principle is intended to govern all instances of its application: University discipline which may result from violation of this code may be imposed on a faculty member only for conduct which is not justified by ethical principles and which significantly impairs the university’s central functions.

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Responsibilities to Teaching and Students

Ethical Standards

1. To encourage the free pursuit of learning in students.
2. To hold before students the best scholarly standards of the disciplines.
3. To demonstrate respect for students as individuals, and to adhere to one’s proper role as intellectual guide and counselor.
4. To make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct and to assure that evaluation of students reflects their true merits.
5. To avoid any exploitation of students for private advantage and acknowledge significant assistance from them.
6. To protect student academic freedom.

Types of Unacceptable Conduct

Failure to meet the responsibilities of instruction, including:

1. arbitrary denial of access to instruction
2. significant intrusion of material unrelated to the course
3. significant evidence of a pattern of failing to adhere, without legitimate reason, to the rules of the faculty in the conduct of courses, to meet class, to keep office hours, or to hold examinations as scheduled
4. evaluation of student work by criteria not directly reflective of course performance
5. undue and unexcused delay in evaluating student work
6. discrimination against a student on political grounds, or for reasons of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, disability, or for other arbitrary or personal reasons
7. use of the position of power of a faculty member to coerce the judgment or conscience of a student or to cause harm to a student for arbitrary or personal reasons
8. participating in or deliberately abetting disruption, interference, or intimidation in the classroom
9. sexual harassment as explained in ACD 402, “Sexual Harassment”
10. breach of the confidential relationship between faculty member and student

    and

11. unauthorized or inappropriate use of self-authored textbooks.

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Responsibilities to Scholarship

Ethical Standards

1. To recognize the special responsibility for the advancement of knowledge.
2. To seek the truth and to state the truth as one sees it.
3. To improve scholarly competence.
4. To exercise critical self-discipline and judgment in using, extending, and transmitting knowledge.
5. To practice intellectual honesty.
6. To prevent intrusion of subsidiary interests in the freedom of inquiry.

Types of Unacceptable Conduct

1. Violation of canons of intellectual honesty, such as intentional misappropriation of the writings, research, and findings of others.
2. Engaging in activities where “conflict of interest” may influence the evaluation of, funding for, or general promotion of research proposals or research results.
3. Sexual harassment which relates to research responsibility of the faculty member whether related to students, faculty, or staff.

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Responsibilities to the University

Ethical Standards

1. To be effective in teaching, scholarship, and service.
2. To adhere to university policies and regulations.
3. To monitor the amount and character of any work outside the university, with due regard to responsibilities within it.
4. To give due notice to the university of pending interruption or termination of service.

Types of Unacceptable Conduct

1. Intentional disruption of university-sponsored or -authorized functions or activities.
2. Incitement of others to disobey university rules.
3. Unauthorized use of university resources or facilities.
4. Forcible detention, physical abuse or threat thereof, harassment, or intimidation of any other member of the university community.
5. Sexual harassment toward any member of the university community.

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Responsibilities to Colleagues

Ethical Standards

1. To respect and defend free inquiry by associates, where in compliance with university regulations.
2. To show professional courtesy and respect for others in exchange of criticism.
3. To strive to be objective during the professional judgment of colleagues.
4. To accept a fair share of the responsibilities for the governance of the university.
5. To actively assist in the professional development of colleagues.

Types of Unacceptable Conduct

1. Evaluating the professional competence of faculty members by criteria not reflective of professional performance.
2. Discriminating against faculty on political grounds, or for reasons of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or disability, or for other arbitrary or personal reasons.
3. Breaching established rules governing confidentiality in personnel procedures.
4. Interfering with the academic freedom of faculty members operating within departmental, collegiate, or university policy.
5. Knowingly violating any departmental, collegiate, or university policy.
6. Using the creative achievements of colleagues without appropriate consultation and credit.

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Responsibilities to the Community

Ethical Standards

1. To strive to conduct oneself as a responsible, productive member of the community, aware of and sensitive to the responsibilities and obligations placed on all citizens by a free society.
2. To make it clear in public statements that one’s personal opinions are one’s own and not those of the university.
3. To conduct one’s public and private lives so as to avoid bringing dishonor to oneself and the university.

Types of Unacceptable Conduct

1. Deliberately misrepresenting personal views as an official position of the university or its agencies.
2. Using the university’s name or logo to create the impression of university sanction for private activity.
3. Committing a felony or other serious act that demonstrates unfitness to continue as a member of the faculty.

Cross-References

For related information, see:

1. ACD 204–04, “Faculty Publications and Royalties”
2. ACD 401, “Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action”

   and

3. ACD 402, “Sexual Harassment.”

See also the University Student Initiatives Policies and Procedures Manual—USI 104–01, “Student Code of Conduct and Student Disciplinary Procedures.”

 

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