Index

Statement of Ethical Principles and Standards

Division of Student Affairs, Colorado State University



Purpose of the Document

This document describes the ethical principles and attributes expected of staff members in the Division of Student of 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.

Be a positive role model.

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 students 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 un-earned 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 procedures.
  • Follow Colorado State University's "Conflict of Interest" policy as stated.