Statement on Professional Ethics (2009 Revision)

The statement that follows was originally adopted in 1966. Revisions were made and approved by the Association’s Council in 1987 and 2009.

I. Introduction subject is to seek and to state the truth as they From its inception, the American Association of University see it. To this end professors devote their ener - Professors has recognized that membership in the aca - gies to developing and improving their scholar - demic profession carries with it special responsibilities. ly competence. They accept the obligation to The Association has consistently affirmed these respon - exercise critical self-discipline and judgment in sibilities in major policy statements, providing guidance using, extending, and transmitting knowledge. to professors in such matters as their utterances as citi - They practice intellectual honesty. Although zens, the exercise of their responsibilities to students and professors may follow subsidiary interests, these colleagues, and their conduct when resigning from an interests must never seriously hamper or com - institution or when undertaking sponsored research. promise their freedom of inquiry. The Statement on Professional Ethics that follows sets 2. As teachers, professors encourage the free pur - forth those general standards that serve as a reminder of suit of learning in their students. They hold the variety of responsibilities assumed by all members of before them the best scholarly and ethical stan - the profession. dards of their discipline. Professors demonstrate In the enforcement of ethical standards, the academic respect for students as individuals and adhere profession differs from those of law and medicine, whose to their proper roles as intellectual guides and associations act to ensure the integrity of members counselors. Professors make every reasonable engaged in private practice. In the academic profession effort to foster honest academic conduct and to the individual institution of higher learning provides ensure that their evaluations of students reflect this assurance and so should normally handle questions each student’s true merit. They respect the con - concerning propriety of conduct within its own frame - fidential nature of the relationship between work by reference to a faculty group. The Association professor and student. They avoid any exploita - supports such local action and stands ready, through the tion, harassment, or discriminatory treatment general secretary and the Committee on Professional of students. They acknowledge significant aca - Ethics, to counsel with members of the academic com - demic or scholarly assistance from them. They munity concerning questions of professional ethics and protect their academic freedom. to inquire into complaints when local consideration is 3. As colleagues, professors have obligations that impossible or inappropriate. If the alleged offense is derive from common membership in the com - deemed sufficiently serious to raise the possibility of munity of scholars. Professors do not discrimi - adverse action, the procedures should be in accordance nate against or harass colleagues. They respect with the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic and defend the free inquiry of associates, even Freedom and Tenure , the 1958 Statement on when it leads to findings and conclusions that Procedural Standards in Faculty Dismissal differ from their own. Professors acknowledge Proceedings , or the applicable provisions of the academic debt and strive to be objective in their Association’s Recommended Institutional Regulations professional judgment of colleagues. Professors on Academic Freedom and Tenure. accept their share of faculty responsibilities for the governance of their institution. The Statement 4. As members of an academic institution, profes - 1. Professors, guided by a deep conviction of the sors seek above all to be effective teachers and worth and dignity of the advancement of knowl- scholars. Although professors observe the stated edge, recognize the special responsibilities placed regulations of the institution, provided the reg - upon them. Their primary responsibility to their ulations do not contravene academic freedom, 111 www.AAuP.org 2010 Bulletin they maintain their right to criticize and seek revision. Professors give due regard to their paramount responsibilities within their institu - tion in determining the amount and character of work done outside it. When considering the interruption or termination of their service, professors recognize the effect of their decision upon the program of the institution and give due notice of their intentions. 5. As members of their community, professors have the rights and obligations of other citi - zens. Professors measure the urgency of these obligations in the light of their responsibilities to their subject, to their students, to their pro - fession, and to their institution. When they speak or act as private persons, they avoid creat - ing the impression of speaking or acting for their college or university. As citizens engaged in a profession that depends upon freedom for its health and integrity, professors have a par - ticular obligation to promote conditions of free inquiry and to further public understanding of academic freedom. I

112 2010 Bulletin www.AAuP.org