Policy 5-205: Code of Conduct for Staff

1. Commitment to Students
2. Commitment to the Faculty
3. Commitment to Other Staff Members
4. Commitment to the University
5. Commitment to the Community

Purpose and Scope‌

1. Purpose.

   To describe the ideals that should guide the University's Staff Members as they carry out their responsibilities to students, faculty, one another, the institution, and the community. The statements below are intended as goals for which Staff Members are encouraged to strive and are not intended to be a basis for disciplinary action against Staff Members. Rather, they are to encourage the Staff to pursue excellence as they exercise their responsibilities.

   Specific policies governing conditions of employment including such matters as confidentiality and conflict of interest are dealt with in other sections of the university's Policies and Procedures. For example, see Policy 5-100, "Employee Relations and Organizations;" 5-111, "Termination of Nonacademic Staff and Disciplinary Sanctions;" and 1-006, "Conflicts of Interest."

2. Scope.

   [reserved]

Definitions‌

[reserved]

Policy‌

1. Commitment to Students‌

   Staff Members are often the first contact students have with the university and thus the way in which students are treated by Staff forms a first and often lasting impression of the university. As students progress through the university, they continue to have many contacts with Staff Members, often on a daily basis. Again, the quality of the students' lives at the university as well as their feelings about the university depend to a sizeable degree on the level of service they receive from Staff. Therefore, it is important that Staff interactions with students be characterized by courtesy, respect and genuine efforts to meet the students' needs. Students can legitimately expect Staff to be knowledgeable and to provide the best possible service.

2. Commitment to the Faculty‌

   The university's ability to fulfill its three-fold mission of teaching, research and public service depends on the quality of its Faculty and Staff. In order for the university to succeed at the highest possible level, faculty members depend on Staff to help them in countless ways. Faculty deserve and should receive the best possible support that Staff can provide in facilitating the work of the faculty. Interactions between Staff and Faculty should be characterized by mutual courtesy and respect.

3. Commitment to Other Staff Members‌

   The capacity of the university to succeed depends to a large extent on the presence of a capable, hardworking Staff. In recognition of Staff Members' value to the university, it is important that Staff Members treat one another with courtesy and respect. Staff Members have the responsibility to assist other Staff in their growth and development and should be willing to share their expertise in the training of Staff. They should also be ready to provide extra assistance to other Staff when needed.

4. Commitment to the University‌

   Staff Members should continually try to improve their effectiveness and professionalism in their own positions. A Staff Member's position is one of trust and responsibility to the university community, its students, faculty, and other Staff. Staff Members should attempt to ensure that their departments are always improving and contributing to the overall excellence of the college or school and the University.

5. Commitment to the Community‌

   Special facilities and activities, such as University Hospital, museums, libraries, the Arboretum, athletic and theater events, draw thousands of people each year to campus from the community. These visitors should be welcomed and treated professionally and with courtesy. Staff should remember that the university is a resource for the entire community, both city and state-wide. Where it is possible to do so without unduly disrupting the regular work of the University, Staff Members are encouraged to assist in providing public service to entities in the community that may require a Staff Member's special expertise. As each Staff Member leaves the campus after work, s/he remains a representative of the University. In this role, each is encouraged to be as knowledgeable as possible about the university's programs and its value to the community and the state.

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   Sections IV- VII are for user information and are not subject to the approval of the Academic Senate or the Board of Trustees. The Institutional Policy Committee, the Policy Owner, or the Policy Officer may update these sections at any time.

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Policies/ Rules, Procedures, Guidelines, Forms and other Related Resources‌

1. Policies/ Rules. [ reserved ]

2. Procedures, Guidelines, and Forms. [ reserved ]

3. Other Related Resources. [ reserved ]

References‌

1. [ reserved ]

Contacts‌

The designated contact officials for this Regulation are

1. Policy Owner(s) (primary contact person for questions and advice): Director of Employee Relations for Human Resources

2. Policy Officer(s): Vice President for Human Resources

   See Rule 1-001 for information about the roles and authority of policy owners and policy officers.

History‌

Revision History.

1. Current version. Revision 1.

   1. Approved by -- Academic Senate December 6, 1993, and Board of Trustees, January 14, 1994 with effective date of January 14, 1994.

   2. Editorial Revisions

      1. Editorially revised April 17, 2023 to move to current regulations template

      2. Editorially revised October 11, 2011 to reflect the changes to employee definitions as set forth in Policy 5-100.

2. Renumbering

   1. Renumbered from Policy and Procedures Manual 5-205.