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UCFV
Statement on Institutional Ethics*
* Note: The UCFV Statement on Institutional Ethics is under review. The purpose of this statement
is to identify the principal values of UCFV and to outline the conduct
expected of members of the UCFV community**.
Values
Members of UCFV differ in
age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, political
persuasion, and many personal values. However, they agree on the following
values:
1. A respect for persons
Respecting persons implies
recognizing that we are distinctive individuals with our own goals,
beliefs, feelings, values, and relationships, and that these have a vital
place in one’s sense of dignity and autonomy. It does not imply carte
blanche acceptance of any values, beliefs, or goals, but does require that
in our attempts to change a person’s beliefs or values, that we appeal to
his or her capacity for independent judgement and ability to assess
reason.
2. Esteem for
education
As a contemporary institution of
higher education, we recognize the fact that people come to UCFV for a
variety of reasons. But underlying all their purposes is a common one: an
appreciation of the value of learning, of acquiring and increasing
knowledge, of making the world a better place in which to live, of
appreciating and creating works of beauty.
3. Collegiality and
individual responsibility
Members of the UCFV community are
individually accountable for their activities, but they also acknowledge a
deep interdependence with others in achieving their goals. Consequently,
we are co-operative, consultative, and ultimately supportive of one
another in our activities at UCFV.
4. Concern for the
personal development of each member of the UCFV community
Members of the UCFV community are
concerned for the personal development and general wellbeing of other
members of the community. We support the legitimate educational and
professional development of each member of the UCFV community. We attempt
to be inclusive in our teaching methods and curricula, and we strive to
enable opportunities for professional and personal growth.
5. Non-maleficence
At UCFV every effort is taken to
avoid actions and policies that cause unnecessary harm to others.
Violence, abusive language, and willful damage to property are disapproved
of in the strongest possible terms. We strive to maintain an institution
that is free of racism, sexism, and other forms of bigotry. If undue
suffering has occurred, wherever possible we attempt to redress the harm.
Further, we look very unfavourably on exploitation in all its forms.
6. Fairness
Members of the UCFV community
strive to be fair in their dealings with others, especially where rewards
and punishments are assigned. This includes student grades and reference
letters, faculty and staff evaluations, and scholarships and awards.
Criteria for rewards and punishments are to be clearly articulated, and
the processes for administering rewards and punishments should be as
transparent as possible. Relevant reasons should be given for one’s
judgements. Furthermore, fairness requires that no one’s work be
exploited; where someone has made a clear contribution to one’s work, one
will acknowledge that contribution appropriately.
7. Honesty and
openness
At UCFV we can expect others to
respect the value of truthfulness. This includes intellectual honesty as
well as honesty in our relations with colleagues, subordinates, and
supervisors.
8. Freedom
Members of UCFV have academic and
artistic freedom, which includes the freedom to investigate controversial
views, to hold unpopular positions on controversial issues, and to present
in class and in the wider community one’s controversial views. Members of
the UCFV community have a positive duty to ensure that our institution
encourages students, faculty, staff, and administrators to use their own
best judgement in choosing what to investigate and in the pursuit of truth
within their investigations. Students, in particular, have a right to be
free from indoctrination and other forms of miseducation that fail to
respect the autonomy of the student.
Issues
Access
UCFV endeavours to provide
equal access to educational opportunities for all students by knowing
about and being sensitive to the various barriers that can limit an
individual’s opportunities for educational growth, by being informed
regarding the resources and supports available to students, and through
advocacy of the issue of equal opportunity for education.
Confidentiality
Members of the UCFV community
respect the privacy of others. They will not unreasonably disclose
information with which they have been entrusted in the performance of
their duties. In general, personal information is to be disclosed only for
authorized purposes consistent with the purpose or reason for which the
information was obtained or with the consent of the relevant individual.
However, if disclosure of information will prevent serious harm to an
individual or malicious damage to property, then the information may be
disclosed to appropriate authorities, subject to the limitations imposed
by the member’s professional code of ethics.
Conflict of
interest and dual relationships
Members of the UCFV community
avoid entering into dual relationships that compromise their
responsibilities to the institution and other UCFV members. Members
further recognize the responsibilities of being in a position of
relatively greater power than another individual, and do not exploit such
positions for personal gain.
Conflict
resolution
Members of the UCFV community
recognize the inevitability of personal and professional conflicts with
other members and the impact that these conflicts may have on seemingly
uninvolved students and colleagues. In recognition of these dynamics,
members of the UCFV community embrace the responsibility to respond to
these conflicts in positive and professional ways.
Conflict with the
code of ethics of a member’s professional association
In the event that a member’s
professional life is governed by the code of ethics of a professional
association, the member will attempt to satisfy the guidelines of both the
profession’s code and this statement. If this is not possible, then the
individual shall adhere to the code of ethics of the professional
association.
Controversial
issues
Controversial and sensitive
issues are not to be avoided, but ought to be addressed rationally and in
a manner that respects the beliefs and feelings of other people.
Consequently, such discussions ought to encourage listening carefully to
diverse views, the judicious consideration of evidence and argument, and
the active search for good reasons for one’s own and others’ positions. As
much as possible, the development of capacities for critical, imaginative,
and constructive thought ought to be promoted.
University
college citizenship
The mission of the University
College of the Fraser Valley can only be met through the collaborative
efforts of a wide range of people, including professional administrators,
Board members, community volunteers, faculty, staff, and students. Through
its policies and practices, UCFV encourages each member to be involved in
the governance of the institution. Further, each member of the UCFV
community contributes to the administrative, intellectual, athletic,
artistic and social organizations and committees constitutive of UCFV
according to her or his abilities, aptitudes, and talents.
**
The term “member of the UCFV community” is to be understood to
designate administrators, staff members, faculty, students, Board members
and voluntary associates of the university college insofar as they are
affiliated with UCFV.
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