Code of Ethical Conduct

Standards of Conduct

The University of Alabama Code of Ethical Conduct is a shared statement of commitment to uphold the ethical, professional, and legal standards used as the basis for daily and long-term decisions and actions. Adherence to its spirit, as well as its specific provisions, is critical to UA’s continued success. Each member is individually accountable for his or her own actions, and the University of Alabama community is collectively accountable for upholding these standards of behavior and for compliance with applicable laws and policies that guide UA’s work. These standards should be  reasonably interpreted and applied in accordance with good judgment and discretion.

Members of the UA community commit to the following eight standards:

Background

The University of Alabama (“University” or “UA”) is committed to conducting its affairs in ways that promote mutual trust and public confidence. All members of the University community are responsible for sustaining the highest ethical standards of excellence, integrity, honesty, and fairness and for integrating these values into teaching, research, business practices, and other services. Ethical conduct is a fundamental expectation for every University community member. University community members should exercise good judgment and wise discretion to conduct all activities of the University ethically and in compliance with applicable law; protect the University from unnecessary risks; and preserve and enhance the assets and reputation of the institutions for the education and betterment of current and future generations.

This Code of Ethical Conduct is subject to other relevant laws, regulations, and University policies. This Code is general and aspirational in nature, and not intended as a mere set of detailed rules, regulations, or a checklist.

Scope

The University of Alabama consists of multiple legal entities engaging in activities in support of its tri-part teaching, research, and service mission. This Code of Ethical Conduct applies to all members of the UA community, including faculty, staff, students, volunteers, contractors, agents, affiliates, and others providing services to or on behalf of UA (herein after “community members”). Students or trainees taking courses, attending classes, or enrolled in academic programs are still expected to adhere to UA policies governing academic and non-academic conduct. These student oriented policies support and reflect the standards of conduct expected of other members of the UA community described in this Code of Ethical Conduct. Residents and fellows are considered to be employees for purposes of the code and are expected to uphold its standards like other faculty and staff.

Violations of the Code of Ethical Conduct

Adherence to this code requires UA community members to bring suspected violations of applicable laws, regulations, policies, and standards to the attention of the appropriate office. UA treats every notice of suspected compliance violation very seriously and considers reports of suspected noncompliance to be a service to UA. Reporting a compliance concern in good faith will not jeopardize one’s employment. No such protection is extended to UA community members reporting in bad faith.

The University prohibits UA community members from retaliating or allowing retaliation against another community member for reporting activities suspected of violating laws, regulations, contractual obligations, or UA policy.

Confirmed violations of this Code of Conduct will result in appropriate consequences for the violators.

Code of Ethical Conduct (PDF)