Statement of Ethical Principles and Standards
This document describes the ethical principles and attributes expected of staff members in the Division of Student Affairs at Colorado State University. This is a practical guideline for the development and maintenance of ethical and professional behaviors for all division staff.
The Division of Student Affairs affirms Colorado State University's mission to promote a fair, humane, and responsible environment for all members of the campus community that is committed to the search for truth and understanding, and to the process of individual human development.
The Division of Student Affairs supports the belief that learning is a lifelong process and that staff should continue to develop personally and professionally. As human beings, we are working toward congruence between the highest levels of principled thought and our own actions. Individual staff members have the responsibility to integrate ethical principles into personal and professional decisions that are consistent both with the spirit and the letter of this document, as well as codes governing members of the larger society.
It is the goal for Division of Student Affairs staff members to challenge themselves to be positive University representatives by serving as leaders and role models in the larger community. Please note that staff members in the Division of Student Affairs must comply with Colorado State University policies and procedures as stated in materials, including the Academic Faculty and Administrative Professional Staff Manual, State Classified Personnel Handbook, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and Financial Procedures.
Ethical Principles
The Division of Student Affairs acknowledges the guidelines of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), the Council for the Advancement of Standards for Student Services/Development Programs (CAS), the Association of College Unions-International (ACU-I), the American Psychological Association (APA), and numerous other professional organizations in the development of this statement of ethical principles and standards. Since the five ethical principles described in A Statement of Ethical Principles and Standards of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) are central to the profession of serving students, they are repeated and endorsed here:
- Act to benefit others.
- Promote justice.
- Respect autonomy.
- Be faithful.
- Do no harm.
While these ethical principles for the profession are applicable, Colorado State's Division of Student Affairs endorses seven additional principles. These principles reflect the wide spectrum of services provided by the individual departments, the Division's long history and national prominence, its involvement in the Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) graduate program, Colorado State's mission as a land-grant university, and other unique characteristics.
Promote and support enhancement of a multicultural and diverse campus.
Staff members strive to enhance an inclusive campus environment that celebrates diversity through sensitivity, advocacy, leadership and education, and to foster responsiveness to and respect for all students and for each other, recognizing their special needs and unique life experiences.
Division of Student Affairs staff are role models for students, for each other, for professional colleagues, and for members of the broader community. It is essential that staff strive to represent the values of the profession and what it means to be a professional.
View student from a holistic perspective.
Colorado State's student population continues to change and evolve. Staff members serve students with different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, life experiences, age, gender, disabilities, and sexual orientation. Consequently, staff will embrace and engage in the concept of "lifelong learning" that will assist them in serving the needs of a contemporary university campus. These activities can include taking classes, reading, writing, attending cultural events, formal presentations or other professional development opportunities, and research.
Be respectful and professional.
At all times, staff members are expected to interact in a respectful and professional manner with others. This value not only describes what it means to be a good staff member but also supports the underlying belief that individuals, regardless of their particular area of responsibility, continue to develop and grow professionally and personally. Consequently, it is important to realize that how people are treated in professional interactions may prove to be more influential than intended and colleagues have a responsibility for how others perceive the work environment.
Promote student growth.
Staff support provides a variety of opportunities for students to grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Staff promote and ensure a nurturing and empowering environment, rather than taking care of or enabling students.
Strive for balance.
In order to serve students appropriately and successfully, staff members endeavor to be lifelong learners, as well as attentive to their physical and emotional well-being in both their personal and professional lives. It is critical to strive for balance.
Be responsible to the community
Higher education communities are special and differ from most other types of communities, and Colorado State is one of those communities. The free exchange of ideas, civility, cultural and ethnic diversity, gender equality, personal safety and growth, and other values are important at Colorado State. Staff members are responsible for maintaining and protecting these values and addressing situations that undermine these values regardless of the intent. Since staff are perceived to be representatives of the University, they should be aware that their personal values and opinions must be expressed in a professionally appropriate manner.
Ethical Standards
The private conduct of a staff member (either student or permanent employee) in the Division of Student Affairs is a personal matter to the same degree as is any other individual's, except when such conduct compromises or reflects upon the fulfillment of his/her professional responsibilities.
It is acknowledged that no statement of ethical standards can anticipate all situations that have ethical implications. When Student Affairs professionals are presented with situations not specifically addressed, they should base their decisions on the five ACPA endorsed ethical principles and the seven Division of STudents Affairs ethical principles previously stated.
However, it is expected that staff members will:
- Refrain from behaviors or actions that impinge on co-workers' dignity, moral code, privacy, worth, professional functioning, and/or personal growth.
- Abstain from abusive or coercive behavior that demeans, threatens, or endangers the physical or psychological health, safety, or welfare of an individual or group of individuals; harassment of any member of the University community, including harassment on the basis of race, nationality, sexual orientation, age, gender, religion, or any type of disability.
- Consider how relationships between colleagues can affect the performance of professional responsibilities. Abstain from romantic and/or sexual intimacies with co-workers or students when the professional relationship is supervisory, evaluative, advisory, or instructional.
- Refrain from using one's position to seek unjustified personal gains, sexual favors, unfair advantages, or unearned goods and services not normally accorded to those in such positions.
- Understand the nature and/or limits of confidentiality. Information should be shared only in accordance with institutional policies and applicable laws, when given permission, or when required to prevent personal harm to yourself, the individual, or others.
- Use institutional resources available through one's professional position only to accomplish legitimate institutional purposes and to benefit members of the campus community.
- Represent your qualifications (credentials) honestly and accurately, including recognizing contributions of others.
- Ensure that staff participation in activities that emphasize self-disclosure or other intimate or personal risk is voluntary.
- Recognize the limitations of one's training or professional expertise, thereby refraining from entering or continuing in a helping relationship for which one is not qualified. Be responsible to make appropriate referrals.
- Educate staff members and students with whom one has supervisory or advisory relationships about issues, attitudes, and behaviors that have ethical implications.
- Accept the responsibility for the resolution of conflict, and, when necessary, promote use of appropriate procedure.
- Follow Colorado State University's "Conflict of Interest" policy as stated.
Resolution of Ethical Conflicts, Concerns, Issue
Staff members in the Division of Student Affairs strive to perform their responsibilities in an ethical and professional manner. However, when ethical conflicts, concerns, or issues occur, they should be addressed in an educational and supportive manner. Discussions addressing ethically-questionable actions must not occur in an atmosphere of gossip or innuendo but in one of objectivity and discretion.
The following guidelines will be observed when an ethical dilemma occurs. These guidelines are recommended only for the discussions of ethically-related matters for which no other University policies apply. Under no circumstances will these guidelines precede or supplant established University policies and procedures governing personnel actions, student conduct, sexual or other forms of harassment, etc.
I. Clarification of Ethical Questions
When an individual either observes or is part of a situation where ethically-questionable behavior occurs, it is vital to understand the circumstances as fully as possible. This may require a review of this document, tactful and discreet discussion with colleagues in order to clarify perspectives, and/or a discussion with one's immediate supervisor or with the University Ombudsman.
In this preliminary stage, the University Ombudsman is available to help determine whether the concern is ethical in nature, as well as to identify goals and/or options for resolution. This consultation is confidential and focuses on clarification of the issue.
II. Options Towards Resolution
Option 1
If one believes the activity is ethically questionable, and if one is comfortable doing so, discuss concerns with the person(s) whose behavior appears questionable. This discussion should be approached in the spirit that the issue can be resolved as a result of the discussion. If the matter remains unresolved, you may utilize Option 2 or Option 3.
Option 2
While it is strongly encouraged that ethical differences be resolved by the parties involved, this may not be possible or be the most practical or effective approach. If one believes the activity is ethically questionable, and if one does not feel comfortable discussing his/her concerns with the person(s) whose behavior appears questionable, one can request that a discussion occur with facilitation from the University Ombudsman. If the issue remains unresolved, even with the University Ombudsman's assistance, then the individual can pursue the matter with the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Option 3
This option is to request a meeting with the person who is involved in the ethically questionable conduct and his/her supervisor.
The person requesting the meeting, i.e. the person who has observed or is a part of the situation where ethically-questionable behavior occurs, may ask that another person within the Division of Student Affairs, similar in rank to the supervisor, be present, and this person must be acceptable to all three parties. This request should be made only if it is considered to be necessary for the matter to be fairly reviewed and resolved.
If the matter remains unresolved after this discussion, then it can be referred to the University Ombudsman. Should the conflict not be resolved with the assistance of the University Ombudsman, then the individual can pursue the matter with the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
It is strongly encouraged that ethical differences be resolved directly by the parties involved. When this is not possible or the most practical or effective approach, the University Ombudsman is a resource in his/her official role of conflict resolution specialist. If the Ombudsman pursues the matter, it will be handled in accordance with the prescribed procedures of conflict resolution with the final recourse being the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
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