Ethical and Professional Standards Policy

Policy:                   ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Effective date:        July 1, 2017

Review date:          July 1, 2020

Revised:                  

Responsible Party: Office of the Provost

1. INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE 

The faculty and university administration are responsible for assuring the highest ethical and professional standards and behavior in:

a. working with undergraduate and graduate students, including the elimination of discrimination from the classroom and entire university community,

b. working with faculty and staff,

c. performing their contracted responsibilities, including the employment and use of graduate assistants or adjunct faculty and staff,

d. working with public and private agencies, organizations, and businesses,

e. preventing conflicts of interest and reporting work done outside the university,

f. conducting peer review,

g. conducting research and creative activity, ( See, e.g. Research Misconduct Policy)

h. adhering to standards for biosafety, research utilizing human and animal subjects, and the use of radioactive materials,

i. respecting confidentiality and privacy in the use of information systems (see  Enterprise Information Technology Policies),

j. respecting copyright and patent requirements,

k. respecting confidentiality and privacy in personnel decisions, including search committee discussions,

l. participating in university planning and governance, and

m. reporting alleged breaches of ethical standards.

2. INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS AND VIOLATIONS OF STANDARDS 

Complaints of alleged breaches of these standards shall be investigated using the procedures set forth in the university’s Reporting Violations Policy and the Research Misconduct Policy as general guidelines. The procedures may be adapted as necessary to consider a specific complaint.