PROFESSIONAL ETHICS STATEMENT

 

1. Responsibilities to discipline.

Guided by a deep conviction of the worth and dignity of the advancement of knowledge, we recognize the special responsibilities placed upon us.  Our primary responsibility to our discipline is to seek and to state the truth as we see it.  To this end we devote our energies to developing and improving our scholarly competence. We accept the obligation to exercise critical self-discipline and judgment in using, extending, and transmitting knowledge.  We practice intellectual honesty.  Although we may have subsidiary interests, these interests must never seriously hamper or compromise our freedom of inquiry.

 

2.  Responsibilities to students.

As teachers, we encourage the active pursuit of learning in our students.  We hold before them the best scholarly and ethical standards of our discipline.  We demonstrate respect for students as individuals and adhere to our roles as intellectual guides and counsels.  We make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct and to ensure that our evaluations of students reflect each student’s achievement.  We respect the confidential nature of the relationship between instructor and student.  We avoid any exploitation, harassment, or discriminatory treatment of students.  We protect the students’ academic freedom.

 

3.  Responsibilities to colleagues.

As colleagues, we have obligations that derive from common membership in the community of scholars.  We do not discriminate against or harass colleagues.  We respect and defend the free inquiry of our associates.  In the exchange of criticism and ideas, we show due respect for the opinions of others.  We practice academic honesty by acknowledging the inclusion of others’ ideas in our own work.  We strive to be objective in our professional judgment of colleagues.  We accept our share of faculty responsibilities for the governance of our institution.

 

When it is necessary and appropriate to challenge the beliefs or actions of an individual, we will do so with sensitivity, and will preserve the dignity of that individual.  We will not denigrate others, and will strive to treat individuals in a courteous, positive manner.

 

4.  Responsibilities to College of the Siskiyous.

As members of a California Community College faculty, we seek above all to be effective teachers, scholars, and active participants in shared governance.  Although we observe the stated regulations of the college, provided the regulations do not contravene academic freedom, we maintain our right to criticize and seek revision.  We give due regard to our primary institutional responsibilities in determining the amount and character of work done outside those responsibilities.  When considering the interruption or termination of our service, we recognize the effect of our decision upon the program, students, and college and give due notice of our intentions.

 

5.  Responsibilities to the community.

As members of our community, we have the rights and obligations of other citizens.  When we speak or act as private persons, we avoid creating the impression of speaking or acting for College of the Siskiyous.  As citizens engaged in a profession that depends upon freedom for its health and integrity, we have a particular obligation to promote conditions of free inquiry and to further public understanding of academic freedom.

 

We will model this ethical and positive behavior both on campus and in the wider community.