University of Louisville Code of Conduct
Sidebar
Scope
The Code of Conduct (Code) applies to the following members of the University of Louisville (University) community:
- members of the Board of Trustees;
- faculty, staff and administration;
- any individual employed by the university, using university resources or facilities or receiving funds administered by the university;
- any individual not employed by the university but covered under the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center Compliance Plan; and
- volunteers and other representatives when speaking or acting on behalf of the university.
The Board of Trustees is governed by BOT 1.0 Policy Statement, Article 1.1. Ethics Statement.
Students taking courses, attending classes or enrolled in academic programs are governed by the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and Code of Student Conduct.
This code reflects board and university policies and procedures. It does not create additional or different rights or duties.
Guiding Principles
Values
Members of the University of Louisville community share these core values:
- enthusiasm for discovery and innovation;
- honesty and rigor in all pursuits;
- adherence to free inquiry and critical thinking;
- commitment to the creation, preservation and dissemination of knowledge;
- dedication to preparing students for what the future has to offer;
- advancement of the life quality and economic welfare of the region and beyond;
- respect for diversity and all individuals regardless of position;
- professionalism in our interactions;
- accountability for resources and relationships;
- transparency and integrity in decision-making;
- leadership through shared governance; and
- pride in our association with the university.
Ethical Considerations
It is expected that every employee, in conducting the affairs of the University of Louisville, will comply with applicable federal, state and local laws as well as the policies and procedures of the University of Louisville. The standards of conduct in this Code of Conduct, supported through policies, procedures and workplace rules, provide guidance for making decisions and memorialize the institution's commitment to responsible behavior.
- All employees of the University of Louisville who are members of occupations or professions having established standards of conduct shall, in addition to any obligations and responsibilities imposed by this document, be bound by the standards of conduct applicable to such occupations or professions.
- Violations of the above may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the provisions of the Redbook.
Standards of Conduct
Ethical conduct is a fundamental expectation for every community member. In practicing and modeling ethical conduct, community members are expected to:
- act according to the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct;
- be personally accountable for individual actions;
- conscientiously fulfill obligations toward students, advisees, colleagues and in performing duties as part of the university community; and
- communicate ethical standards of conduct through instruction and example.
Related Policies
The university is committed to tolerance, diversity and respect for differences. When dealing with others, community members are expected to:
- be respectful, fair and civil;
- speak candidly and truthfully;
- avoid all forms of harassment, illegal discrimination, threats or violence;
- provide equal access to programs, facilities and employment; and
- promote conflict resolution.
Related Policies
- Academic Freedom
- Work-Restricted Religious Holy Days
- Sexual Harassment
- Sexual Misconduct Resource Guide
- Intimate Relationships between Employees and Students
- Workplace Violence
- Drug-Free Workplace
- Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity
- Faculty Policies
- Staff Policies
- Student Policies
The university entrusts community members who supervise or instruct employees or students with significant responsibility. Managers, supervisors, instructors and advisors are expected to:
- ensure access to and delivery of proper training and guidance on applicable workplace and educational rules, policies and procedures, including this Code of Conduct;
- ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies and workplace rules;
- review performance conscientiously and impartially;
- foster intellectual growth and professional development; and
- promote a healthy, innovative and productive atmosphere that encourages dialogue and is responsive to concerns.
Related Policies
The university is dedicated to responsible stewardship. Community members are expected to:
- use university property, equipment, finances, materials, electronic and other systems and other resources only for legitimate university purposes;
- prevent waste and abuse;
- promote efficient operations;
- follow sound financial practices, including accurate financial reporting, processes to protect assets and responsible fiscal management and internal controls; and
- engage in appropriate accounting and monitoring.
Related Policies
- Ethics in Purchasing
- Purchasing Overview for Newly Appointed Faculty and Staff
- Fiscal Misconduct
- Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources
- Purchasing (ProCard)
- Surplus of University Equipment
- Guidelines for Enterprise Activities
- Guidelines for Extramural Activities, Associations, and Interest for Staff
- Management of Endowment Funds
- Nepotism
- Employment of Minors
- Financial Reporting
- Use of University Funds
- Relationship to State
- Appropriate Use of the University Name and Logos
The university is committed to meeting legal requirements and to fostering a culture of ethics and compliance.
(a) Expectations – Community members are expected to:
- learn and follow the laws, regulations, contracts and university policies and procedures applicable to university activities;
- be proactive to prevent and detect any compliance violations;
- report suspected violations to supervisors or other university officials; and
- ensure that reports of violations within their area of responsibility are properly resolved, including disclosure to sponsors or other state or federal authorities as appropriate.
(b) Prohibition - Community members are prohibited from retaliating against another community member for reporting a suspected compliance violation.
Related Policies
- ICO - 1.01 Duty to Report and Non-Retaliation Policy
- Procedure Governing Sanctions Taken Against Members of the Administration
- Procedures Governing Sanctions Taken Against Members of the Faculty
- Procedures Governing Sanctions Taken Against Members of the Staff
- Research Policy Violations and Misconduct
Academic freedom is essential to achieving the university’s mission. Community members are expected to:
- promote academic freedom, including the freedom to discuss all relevant matters in the classroom, to explore all avenues of scholarship, research and creative expression and to speak or write as a public citizen without institutional restraint or discipline; and
- meet academic responsibilities: to seek and state the truth as they see it; to develop and maintain their scholarly competence; to foster and defend intellectual honesty and freedom of inquiry and instruction; to respect those with differing views; to submit their knowledge and claims to peer review; to work together to foster the education of students; and to acknowledge when they are not speaking for the institution.
Related Policies
University researchers have an ethical obligation to the university and to the larger global community as they seek knowledge and understanding. Community members are expected to:
- propose, conduct and report research with integrity and honesty;
- protect people involved in research or teaching;
- humanely treat animals involved in research or teaching;
- learn, follow and demonstrate accountability for meeting the requirements of sponsors, regulatory bodies and other applicable entities;
- faithfully transmit research findings;
- protect rights to individual and university intellectual property;
- ensure originality of work, provide credit for the ideas of others upon which their work is built and be responsible for the accuracy and fairness of information published; and
- fairly assign authorship credit on the basis of an appropriate array of significant intellectual contributions, including: conception, design and performance; analysis and interpretation; and manuscript preparation and critical editing for intellectual content.
Related Policies
- University Policies and Procedures Relating to Research
- Responsible Conduct of Research
- Intellectual Property Policy
- Grants Management
- Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation
- Research Involving Animals
- Research Involving Human Subjects
Community members have an obligation to be objective and impartial in making decisions on behalf of the university. To ensure this objectivity, community members are expected to:
- avoid actual individual or institutional conflicts of interest;
- disclose potential conflicts of interest and adhere to any management plans created to eliminate any conflicts of interest; and
- ensure personal relationships do not interfere with objective judgment in decisions affecting university employment or the academic progress of a community member.
Related Policies
- UofL Conflict of Interest and Commitment Policy
- Board of Trustees Conflict of Interest Policies
Related Conflict of Interest Policies
- Ethics in Purchasing
- Guidelines for Extramural Activities
- Redbook Chapter 4.3.1 Annual Work Plan and Presence at the University
Community members are the creators and custodians of many types of information. The public right to access and the individual’s right to privacy are both governed by laws and university policies. To meet these responsibilities, community members are expected to:
- learn and follow laws and university policies and agreements regarding access, use, protection, disclosure, retention and disposal of public, private and confidential information;
- follow document preservation and retention guidelines; and
- maintain data security using electronic and physical safeguards.
Related Policies
- Privacy of Non-Public Personal Information
- Confidentiality of Employee Records
- Privacy of Student Records
- HIPAA Privacy Policies and Guidance
- Information Security Policies and Standards
Community members have a shared responsibility to ensure a safe, secure and healthy environment for all university students, faculty, staff, volunteers and visitors. Community members are expected to:
- follow safe workplace practices, including participating in applicable education sessions, using appropriate personal safety equipment and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe situations;
- maintain security, including securing university assets and facilities;
- report suspicious activities; and
- protect the environment, including carefully handling hazardous waste and other potentially harmful agents, materials or conditions.
Related Policies
Environmental Health and Safety
- Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS)
- Biological Safety
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Radiation Safety
Public Safety
Delegation of Authority
The president or delegate shall ensure that appropriate administrative policies are maintained to support this code and shall effectively promulgate this code and any supporting administrative policies or procedures through appropriate and periodic explanation, education and evaluation.
References
University of Minnesota Code of Conduct
History
The Board of Trustees approved the Code of Conduct on November 12, 2009, with an effective date of January 1, 2010.
Revision Date(s): February 1, 2023 / Minor Revisions