FACULTY SENATE
CODE OF ETHICS

Guiding Principles of Faculty Senate Membership

1. Uphold Integrity and Honor
   Consistently maintain the highest standards of integrity and honor associated with your elected position. Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions with students, faculty, staff, administration, and external stakeholders.

2. Be Thoroughly Prepared
   Devote adequate time and thoughtful consideration to the agenda items in advance of each meeting. Your informed participation may significantly influence the outcome of essential Faculty Senate decisions.

3. Adhere to Governing Documents
   Familiarize yourself with and abide by the Faculty Senate By-Laws, recognizing the trust and responsibility conferred upon you by your peers.

4. Maintain Respectful Discourse
   Engage in Senate discussions with civility, professionalism, and mutual respect, especially when addressing sensitive or contentious issues.

5. Avoid Conflicts of Interest
   Do not share privileged or confidential information inappropriately, and never accept personal benefits or favors that could be reasonably perceived as compromising your objectivity.

6. Act Transparently
   Avoid making individual promises or commitments on behalf of the Faculty Senate unless accompanied by another Senate member. While confidentiality may be extended to protect individuals, no single senator may speak for the Senate without proper representation.

7. Report Ethical Concerns
   If integrity breaches or confidentiality violations are discovered, promptly report them to one of the three Faculty Senate officers for appropriate resolution.

8. Foster Collegiality
   Collaborate with fellow senators in a spirit of harmony and shared governance, even in the presence of differing viewpoints.

Standards of Conduct

1. Impartiality in Decision-Making
   Refrain from using your position for personal gain or to secure preferential treatment for any individual or group.

2. Respect Confidentiality
   Do not provide insider information to faculty, staff, or administrators unless officially designated to do so by the Senate.

3. Follow Proper Protocols
   Do not make unilateral commitments or decisions on behalf of the Faculty Senate without consulting one of the three officers or receiving full Senate approval.

4. Support Senate Colleagues
   Refrain from publicly criticizing fellow Senate members regarding actions taken in their official roles. Maintain a unified and respectful public presence.

5. Ensure Meeting Accountability
   If you must miss a meeting, notify a Faculty Senate officer in advance to maintain transparency and quorum awareness.

6. Protect Voting Privacy
   Do not disclose or discuss the voting behavior of other senators on any matter brought before the Senate.

7. Respect Communication Channels
   When gathering information on behalf of the Senate, communicate primarily within your school unless otherwise assigned. This does not preclude informal collegial dialogue.

8. Ensure Proper Representation at External Meetings
   At least two Faculty Senate members must attend any meeting where policy issues are discussed, and the Senate has been invited to present or clarify its position. Discussions should remain focused on predetermined topics. If new issues arise, Faculty Senate representatives should recuse themselves from further deliberation.

9. Maintain Professionalism in All Settings
   Personal disputes or conflicts must be set aside during all Senate-related activities. Senate meetings and engagements with external SGI bodies must remain professional, respectful, and mission-driven.

10. Avoid Personalization of Debate
    Discussions within Senate meetings should never be perceived or presented as personal attacks. The presiding officer is responsible for ensuring that all dialogue adheres to Robert’s Rules of Order and maintains a constructive tone.