INDEX
Introduction
Table of Contents
Policies in Process
Preliminaries
Policies
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Legal Authority and Governance
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University-wide
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Presidential Area
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Academic Affairs
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Business Affairs
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Student Life
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University Advancement
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Administrative Services
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Professional Ethics
Policy Statement
The American Association of University Professors recognizes that
membership in the academic profession carries with it special
responsibility. The Statement on Professional Ethics that follows
sets forth general standards assumed by members of the
profession.
Professors, 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, professors 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 professors may follow subsidiary interests,
these interests must never seriously hamper or compromise their
freedom of inquiry.
As teachers, professors encourage the free pursuit of learning in
their students. They hold before them the best scholarly and
ethical standards of their discipline. Professors demonstrate
respect for students as individuals and adhere to their proper
roles as intellectual guides and counselors. Professors 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 professor 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, professors have obligations that derive from common
membership in the community of scholars. Professors do not
discriminate against or harass colleagues. They respect and defend
the free inquiry of associates. In the exchange of criticism and
ideas, professors show due respect for the opinions of others.
Professors acknowledge academic debt and strive to be objective in
their professional judgment of colleagues. Professors accept their
share of faculty responsibilities for the governance of their
institution.
As members of an academic institution, professors seek above all
to be effective teachers and scholars. Although professors observe
the stated regulations of the institution, provided the
regulations do not contravene academic freedom, they maintain
their right to criticize and seek revision. Professors give due
regard to their paramount responsibilities within their
institution in determining the amount and character of work done
outside it. When considering the interruption or termination of
their service, professors recognize the effect of their decision
upon the program of the institution and give due notice of their
intentions.
As members of their community, professors have the rights and
obligations of other citizens. Professors measure the urgency of
these obligations in the 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, professors have a particular
obligation to promote conditions of free inquiry and to further
public understanding of academic freedom.
Related Policies and Committees
Policy - Academic Freedom
Policy - Political
Activity of Faculty
Policy - Teaching
Responsibility
History of the Policy
07/01/89 - Reaffirmed with publication of Faculty Manual
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