University of Louisville

Statement of Ethics

Introduction: This “University of Louisville Statement of Ethics” is intended as a description of professional conduct at the University. It is a further elaboration of concepts represented by The Redbook. It is also an adaptation of “Statement of Ethics” of the Council of the American Association of University Professors which was adopted by the University of Louisville Faculty Senate for the first time in 1975; it was again adopted by the Faculty Senate in the Spring of 1987, and promulgated that year as the University of Louisville Statement of Ethics by then University Provost William F. Dorrill. In June, 2008 the Faculty Senate reaffirmed the statement.

The University of Louisville has developed specific guidelines for ethical behavior regarding issues as they have arisen, such as, “Conflict of Interest, “ “Sexual Harassment,” “Responsible Conduct in Research” and so on; these more specific policies are collected under the title “Principles of Responsibility” (available at http://louisville.edu/compliance/policies). The University will continue to provide such information as needs arise. Individual schools and colleges are encouraged to provide appropriate guidance also.

The Statement:

• Professors, guided by the 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 they 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 they 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 standards of their discipline. They demonstrate respect for the student as an individual, and adhere to their proper roles as intellectual guides and counselors. They make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct to assure that their evaluation of students reflects their true merit. They respect the confidential nature of the relationship between professor and student. They avoid any exploitation of students for their private advantage and acknowledge significant assistance from them. They protect their academic freedom.
• As colleagues, professors have obligations that derive from common membership in the community of scholars. They respect and defend the free inquiry of their associates. In the exchange of criticism and ideas they show due respect for the opinions of others. They acknowledge their academic debts and strive to be objective in their professional judgment of colleagues. They accept their share of faculty responsibilities for the governance of their institution.
• As members of their institution, professors seek above all to be effective teachers and scholars. Although they observe the stated regulations of the institution, provided they do not contravene academic freedom, they maintain their right to criticism and seek revision. In determining the amount and character of the work they do outside their institution, they do so with due regard to their paramount responsibilities within it. When considering the interruption or termination of their service, they recognize the effect of their decisions upon the programs of the institution and give due notice of their intentions.
• As members of their community, professors have the rights and obligations of any citizen. They 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 people they avoid creating the impression that they speak or act 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.

12/18/86

6/4/2008