1050 President's Code of Conduct

Policy Type: 
Administration

PREAMBLE

The President sets the ethical tone for the institution through both his/her personal conduct and his/her institutional leadership.
Therefore, the President should adhere to the highest ethical standards and promote the moral development of the College.
To achieve these goals, the President should support active moral reflection, dialogue, and principled conduct among the Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and the community at large.
While no code of ethics alone can guarantee ethical behavior, the values set forth in this code are to guide the President in carrying out his/her duties.

VALUES

To promote individual development and the common good, the President should strive to promote basic values about how people should conduct themselves when dealing with others in an academic institution serving "the educational needs of the community". These values should represents shared ideal which should permeate the institution and become the President‘s primary responsibility to uphold and honor.
These values should include:
1. Trust and respect for all persons within and without the
college.
2. Honesty in actions and utterances.
3. Fairness and justice in the treatment of all.
4. A pervasive sense of integrity and promise keeping.
5. A commitment:
1. to intellectual and moral development
2. to quality
3. to individual empowerment
4. to the college philosophy
5. to college above self.
6. Openness in communication.
7. Belief in diversity within an environment of collegiality and professionalism.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO BOARD MEMBERS

  1. To insure that all Board Members have equal access to complete information in a timely manner.
  2. To avoid not only conflict of interest, but also the appearance of it.
  3. To represent accurately positions of the Board in public statements.
  4. To foster teamwork and common purpose.
  5. To carry out Board policies in a conscientious and timely manner.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, AND STAFF

  1. To encourage the highest standards of excellence in teaching and in the advancement and application of knowledge.
  2. To respect both the personal integrity and professionalism of administrators, faculty, and staff.
  3. To promote a college environment that fosters mutual support and open communication among all administrators, faculty, and staff. To raise consciousness concerning ethical responsibilities and encourage acceptance of these responsibilities.
  4. To seek and respect the advice of administration, faculty, and staff in matters pertaining to college life and governance.
  5. To treat all employees fairly and equitably, to preserve confidentiality, to provide appropriate due process, and to allow adequate time for corrective actions.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO STUDENTS

  1. To ensure that all students are treated with respect and to promote acceptance of diversity within the College community.
  2. To provide quality education and equal access to educational opportunities for all students.
  3. To provide accurate and complete descriptions of available academic programs and to provide sufficient resources to ensure viable programs.
  4. To seek and respect contributions of students to College decisions.
  5. To ensure that there is no unlawful discrimination, harassment, or exploitation in any aspect of student life.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

  1. To keep informed about developments at all levels of education, particularly with respect to community, technical, and junior colleges.
  2. To be honest in reporting College operations and needs.
  3. To honor agreements and to maintain confidential information.
  4. To respect the integrity of programs offered by other institutions and to promote collaboration.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO BUSINESS, CIVIC GROUPS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE

  1. To ensure that the College responsibly meets the changing needs in its state and communities.
  2. To promise only what is realistic and keep promises that have been made.
  3. To ensure that all interested parties have an opportunity to express their views regarding College policies.
  4. To ensure equal opportunities for all groups to take part in College programs.
  5. To avoid conflict of interest in contracts, services, and sharing of information.
  6. To honor all laws pertaining to the College.

RIGHTS OF THE PRESIDENT

The President should have the right:
1. To work in a professional and supportive environment.
2. To a clear, written statement of the philosophy and goals of the College; to participate fully in setting subsequent goals and policies.
3. To a clear, written statement of conditions of employment, Board procedures for professional review, and a job description outlining duties and responsibilities.
4. Within the scope of authority and policy, to exercise judgment and perform duties without disruption or harassment.
5. To freedom of conscience and the right to refuse to engage in actions which violate professional standards of ethical or legal conduct.

"Recommended Code of Ethics for Community, Technical, and Junior College Chief Executive Officers," The American Association of Community Colleges, April, 1991.

Adopted Date: 
Monday, February 20, 1995
Status: 
Board Approved