Ethical Standards and Code of Conduct

Ethical Conduct

Introduction

The university codes of conduct establish guidelines for professional conduct by those acting on behalf of the University including executive officers, faculty, staff, and other individuals employed by the University, using University resources or facilities, and volunteers and representatives acting as agents of the University.

This publication is not an attempt to define specifically what one should and should not do, but to communicate the University's expectations of proper conduct and what professional conduct the University values.

Those acting on behalf of the University have a general duty to conduct themselves in a manner that will maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence in the integrity of the University and to take no actions incompatible with their obligations to the University.

With regard to professional conduct, those acting on behalf of the University should practice:

• Integrity by maintaining an ongoing dedication to honesty and responsibility;
• Trustworthiness by acting in a reliable and dependable manner;
• Evenhandedness by treating others with impartiality;
• Respect by treating others with civility and decency;
• Stewardship by exercising custodial responsibility for University property and resources;
• Compliance by following State, Federal, NCAA and other laws and regulations and University policies related to their duties and responsibilities;
• Confidentiality by protecting the integrity and security of University information such as student records, employee files, patient records, and contract negotiation documents.

Those acting on behalf of the University shall seek appropriate guidance when faced with ethical dilemmas (see Getting Help).

The University's Policies and Procedures Manual is the principal source of rules employees must follow. Links to the full text of all of the policies and procedures can be found at http://www.regulations.utah.edu/index.html.. The following University policies and state of Utah codes are particularly relevant to employee conduct:

Code of Conduct for Staff
http://www.regulations.utah.edu/humanResources/5-205.html

Code of Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
http://www.regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-316.html

Utah Public Officers' and Employees' Ethics Act, Utah Code Ann. § 67-16-1 et seq. (http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE67/htm/67_16_000100.htm) also sets forth standards of conduct for employees of the state.