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1001 | CEO CODE OF ETHICS

PREAMBLE

The chief executive officers (CEOs) of community, technical, and junior colleges set the ethical tone for their institutions through both their personal conduct and their institutional leadership.

Therefore, each CEO should adhere to the highest ethical standards and promote the moral development of the college community.

To achieve these goals, CEOs should support active moral reflection, dialogue, and principled conduct among themselves, their boards of directors, 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 intended to guide CEOs in carrying out these duties.

A. VALUES

To promote individual development and the common good, CEOs 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 represent a shared ideal, which should permeate the institution and become for CEOs a primary responsibility to uphold and honor.

These values should include:

  1. Trust and respect for all persons within and outside of the college community.
  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 to:
    1. Intellectual and moral development
    2. Quality
    3. Individual empowerment
    4. Community college philosophy
    5. College above self
  6. Openness in communication.
  7. Belief in diversity within an environment of collegiality and professionalism.

B. RESPONSIBILITIES TO BOARD MEMBERS

  1. To ensure 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.

C. 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.
  4. To raise consciousness concerning ethical responsibilities and encourage acceptance of these responsibilities.
  5. To seek and respect the advice of administration, faculty, and staff in matters pertaining to college life and governance.
  6. To treat all employees fairly and equitably, to preserve confidentiality, to provide appropriate due process, and to allow adequate time for corrective actions.

D. 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.

E. 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.

F. RESPONSIBILITIES TO BUSINESS, CIVIC GROUPS, AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE

  1. To ensure that the college responsibly meets 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.

G. RIGHTS OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS:

  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. Adopted by the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges April 1991.

[LAST APPROVED October 2021]