Responsible Office: Human Resources Approved By: President's Council Approved Date: 11/1/2011 Effective Date: 11/1/2011 Category: Faculty and Staff Description/Purpose: As members of the Saint Francis University community, all officers, trustees, faculty, staff, and students are responsible for conducting themselves with the highest ethical standards Details: General Principles and Guidelines Purpose and Intent The University's Code of Ethics is a statement of the University's commitment to upholding the ethical, professional and legal standards used as the basis for its daily and long-term decisions and actions. Each community member is individually accountable for his/her own actions and, as such, are accountable for upholding these standards of behavior and for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This Code of Ethics describes the standards that guide members of the campus community in daily University activities. In many cases these standards are already found in existing University policies. A key purpose of the Code of Ethics is to commit all applicable standards to writing and to ensure that they are understood and followed by the community. It is the responsibility of all members of the community to read the Code of Ethics and to disclose potential or actual conflicts of interest (See 2.3). Chief administrative officers are responsible for promoting the understanding of and compliance with the Code of Ethics. Introduction As members of the Saint Francis University community, all officers, trustees, faculty, staff, and students are responsible for conducting themselves with the highest ethical standards. As a Franciscan institution and in accordance with its mission statement, the University fosters values such as humility and generosity toward learning, respect, understanding of ethical issues, and reverence for all life. The University believes these are values to be lived and strives to integrate these values into its teaching, scholarship, business practices, and daily interactions among all members of the campus community. The necessary relationships that have evolved with outside entities, including but not limited to governmental agencies, community groups and business firms, require that persons representing the University conduct themselves in the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi and in a manner supporting its core values and guiding principles. Applicability This Code applies to the following members of the Saint Francis Community:
The Saint Francis student body is required to abide by the Student Code of Conduct (student expectations and responsibilities) which is distributed by the Office of the Vice-President for Student Development. Commitment to Integrity and Ethical Conduct Saint Francis University is committed to maintaining a reputation for the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct. Each member of the University community is expected to commit to honesty and integrity in their work, accept personal responsibility for their actions, exercise high ethical standards in their personal and professional lives, and demonstrate compassion towards all. Each individual is expected to conduct University business transactions with the utmost honesty, accuracy and fairness. Each situation needs to be examined in accordance with this standard. No unethical practice can be tolerated. Fiduciary Responsibility Members of the Board of Trustees, officers, and staff of Saint Francis University serve a public interest role and thus have a clear obligation to conduct all affairs of the University in a manner consistent with this concept. All decisions of the Board of Trustees and officers of the University are to be made solely on the basis of a desire to promote the best interests of the University and the public good. Institutional Compliance with the Higher Education Act of 2008 No Saint Francis University employee, trustee, or other constituent shall use funds provided under the Higher Education Act of 2008 (HEA) to attempt to influence a member of Congress in connection with any federal grant, contract, loan, or cooperative agreement. No student aid funding provided under HEA shall be used to hire a registered lobbyist or to pay for securing an earmark. Approved by the President's Council - November 2011 |