Statement on Professional Ethics
San Francisco State University Statement on
Professional Ethics
San Francisco State University creates and maintains an open, respectful
environment for teaching, learning, service, scholarship and creative work. SF State faculty facilitate and embrace the
understanding and appreciation of human diversity expressed in the array of
cultures, languages, religions, intellectual and political perspectives, ethnic
and racial backgrounds, abilities and disabilities, sexes, gender
identities, sexual identities and sexual orientations in our community.
The faculty fosters and maintains a collegial and cooperative
intellectual atmosphere that includes and appreciates differing viewpoints while
promoting academic freedoms.
To that end the Academic Senate endorses the Statement on Professional Ethics, from the American Association of
University Professors (AAUP), that
sets forth general standards serving as a
reminder of the varied responsibilities assumed by all members of our academic
community.
- 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 ensure 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.
http://www.aaup.org/AAUP/pubsres/policydocs/contents/statementonprofessionalethics
***Adopted by the Academic Senate on November 27,
2007***