5.211 - Statement on Professional Ethics (Faculty)
UHCC Policy Chapter 5, Academic Affairs
UHCC Policy 5.211, Statement on Professional Ethics (Faculty)
Effective Date: July 2006
Prior Dates Amended: April 2018 (recodified)
Responsible Office: Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges
Governing Board of Regents Policy: N/A
Review Date: February 2021
I. Purpose:
Academic integrity is essential to the meaning and mission of the Community College System. Although no set rules or professional statements can either guarantee or take the place of a faculty member’s integrity, the Community Colleges believe that the adoption of the American Association of University Professors Statement on Professional Ethics clearly states the commitment of the Community Colleges faculty.
In 1988-89 faculty of all campuses considered adoption of the AAUP Statement and the Faculty Senates of all campuses approved the adoption. After consultation with the University of Hawai‘i Professional Assembly, the Statement was formally adopted in 1989 by the Community College System.
The Community Colleges believe that all faculty members should strive to make these recognized standards of the profession an integral part of their professional lives. The expectation and particular esteem provided to the academic community also carry with it additional burdens and responsibilities to ensure academic and professional ethics. The adoption of this Statement on Professional Ethics reinforces the expectations and standards, which we strive to achieve.
II. Definitions:
III. Executive Policy:
- Statement on Professional Ethics
- Faculty members, guided by a deep conviction of the worth and dignity of the advancement of knowledge, recognize the special responsibilities placed upon them. Their primary responsibility to their subject is to seek and to state the truth as they see it. To this end faculty members devote their energies to developing and improving their scholarly competence. They accept the obligation to exercise critical self-discipline and judgment in using, extending, and transmitting knowledge. They practice intellectual honesty. Although faculty members may follow subsidiary interests, these interests must never seriously hamper or compromise their freedom of inquiry.
- As teachers, faculty members encourage the free pursuit of learning in their students. They hold before them the best scholarly and ethical standards of their discipline. Faculty members demonstrate respect for students as individuals, and adhere to their proper roles as intellectual guides and counselors. Faculty members make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct and to assure that their evaluations of students reflect each student’s true merit. They respect the confidential nature of the relationship between faculty member and student. They avoid any exploitation, harassment, or discriminatory treatment of students. They acknowledge significant academic or scholarly assistance from them. They protect their academic freedom.
- As colleagues, faculty members have obligations that derive from common membership in the community of scholars. Faculty members do not discriminate against or harass colleagues. They respect and defend the free inquiry of associates. In the exchange of criticism and ideas faculty members show due respect for the opinions of others. Faculty members acknowledge academic debt and strive to be objective in their professional judgment of colleagues. Faculty members accept their share of faculty responsibilities for the governance of their institutions.
- As members of an academic institution, faculty members seek above all to be effective teachers and scholars. Although faculty members observe the stated regulations of the institution, provided the regulations do not contravene academic freedom, they maintain their right to criticize and seek revision. Faculty members give due regard to their paramount responsibilities within their institution in determining the amount and character of the work done outside it. When considering the interruption or termination of their service, faculty members recognize the effect of their decision upon the program of the institution and give due notice of their intentions.
- As members of their community, faculty members have the rights and obligations of other citizens. Faculty members measure the urgency of these obligations in light of their responsibilities to their subject, to their students to their profession, and to their institution. When they speak or act as private persons they avoid creating the impression of speaking or acting for their college or university. As citizens engaged in a profession that depends upon freedom for its health and integrity, faculty members have a particular obligation to promote conditions of free inquiry and to further public understanding of academic freedom
- Responsibilities
- The Chancellor shall provide a copy of this statement to all new faculty members.
V. Contact Information:
Subject Matter Experts
Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges, telephone number 956-7038 or email at ovpcc@hawaii.edu
VI. References:
- The adoption of this statement of ethics is in accord with the following University of Hawai‘i policies:
- University of Hawai‘i Administrative Rules, Title 20, Chapter 2 Statement on Rights and Responsibilities of the University of Hawai‘i Community
- University of Hawai‘i Executive Policy EP 12.211 Policy for Responding to Allegations of Research and Scholarly Misconduct
VII. Exhibits and Appendices:
No Exhibits and Appendices found.