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ASMHCC Senate Code Of Ethical Conduct
Preamble:
A document stating a Code of Ethical Conduct is not be taken lightly. To be truly effective it must not be a stagnated walled framework of occasional reference or something to flaunt at leadership/management symposiums. It is a living document/contract of relevant professional behavioral standards a specific society has accepted as principles to guide the group. In the case of the ASMHCC Senate, the charge assumed by participants is one of official responsibilities that accrue certain obligations to the students and institution. Accordingly, the perception of a Code of Ethical Conduct should be in a two-fold capacity:
- A values embodiment of how one should behave. Not a consequential statement of protocol of not performing in a prescribed manner (as in a Code Of Conduct), rather the accepted core values of how one should behave;
- Thus, facilitating a means of performance evaluation. Not just for the individual but for the assemblage as a whole. It is a collective process of how the two factions support the efforts of each other. Creating a reciprocal process of how the group’s performance affects an individual’s capacity to perform. If the group does not support the individual then the code is nothing more than cynical management tool of control.
In combination, a Code of Ethic Conduct provides the empirical with the pragmatic. A useful tool that offers sociological consistency while remaining open for necessary change in the fluctuation of social values.
Rationale:
First, and foremost, Mt Hood Community College is an institution of higher learning dedicated to educational fulfillment, growth and understanding amongst those that provide and utilize its services. As such, the Associated Government Senate accepts all moral standards of behavior as outlined in the college’s documentation for Student Code of Conduct. In essence, a policy directed to acceptance of honesty, fairness and respect for the worth and dignity of every human being.
In the sense, each senator is a user de facto representing the institution; there exists the necessitating that higher standards must be established/accepted by the senate than for the regular members of the student population. Such parameters assure avoidance of any behavioral appearance, either directly or indirectly, that could interfere with objectivity and the duties before any member of the Senate.
The combination of the primary principles creates a framework that is conducive/inviting for dialogue of issues before the student population and the institution.
Scope
The purpose of the code is to state an expectation of standards and behaviors for the ASMHCC Senate in the discharge of duties to fulfill needs of students in consideration of the mission and goals of the College. Within such a premise the Senators will:
- Have a means of evaluating existing personal standards and behaviors in relationship of necessary modifications to meet the newly introduced expected established standards.
- Have a means to evaluate behaviors of others within the senate to ensure high standards are being meet.
- Have a means by which to educate the student population of the high behavioral standards of the Senate
- Have a means by which base behaviors exist in the resolution of grievances about senate behaviors.
Responsibilities:
Informational Accuracy, Confidentiality, Influence
- Be open, honest and non-judgmental; personal biases and values must not interfere with the needs of representing/decision process affecting the issues/policies of the student population
- Realize, while being a student first, the role assumed in the senate has a degree of authoritarianism. No matter the equality factor between a group, or an individual, care must be asserted in avoidance of using one’s position in social, organizational, personal, financial and political situations that may influence others.
- Be the model of responsibility, reliability, approachability, empathic, and demonstrate positive self-assurance/image.
- The importance/commitment to confidentiality is essential to open the primary lines of communication with those the senate represents.
- Any source of information will only be disclosed upon authorization of the reporting party, or unless there is a violation of the law (legally obligated), the potential prevention of a crime or there may be harm to self or someone else. Such actions require significant care to ensure not to have false reporting or impede the legal process.
- Any reporting occurs in a timely/objective manner that entails accurate and justifiable facts through the appropriate channels.
- The reporting party must approve any disclosure of printed material.
- Review the code periodically to assure accordance with students/institutional standards in relationship to accepted social practices.
Self, Organization
- Thoughts (cause) facilitate feelings, the outwardly actualization of feelings are manifested as behaviors (effect), which generate specific outcomes. Modification of the thought process results in an alteration of behavioral responses. Do not curse the effect if there is a continuation of the cause.
- Accept that personal behaviors are a learned response and an individual may not be able to demonstrate abilities beyond such a behavioral limitation.
- Accurately identify your personal qualifications, capabilities and competencies.
- Know the expectations/limitations of the Senate and do not exceed these parameters
- Maintain self-awareness, limitations, values which may interfere with the productivity of the decision making process.
- Assume full responsibility/acceptation/support for your actions and any imposed directives/decisions in assuming a position or in the resolutions of issues or in the creation of policies.
- Give credit where credit is due. Do not accept credit for the work of others.
- Seek consultation, advice or collaboration when unsure on issues.
- Do not practice, condone, facilitate or collaborate with any form of unjust discrimination. Do not engage publicly in demeaning descriptions, jokes or other remarks that reflect adversely on the dignity of others. Abstain from all forms of discrimination
- Refrain from sexualized behaviors, sexual intimacies and relationships that may have a perceived connotation of influencing the decision making process
- Do not allow outside influences to deter your attention from the discharge of your duties and/or responsibilities when assuming an official role.
- No matter the topic, issue, policy and the manner of discussion, conflict and or resolution; upon completion everyone departs with a sense of dignity and mutual respect of all parties involved.
- Everyone has the right to express their positions provided it is within the confines of the issue at hand and the confines of the appropriate Roberts Rules of Order Protocol
- While in representation of the student population, one must assume an attitude of we, us, ours instead of my, me, mine. Be a team player.
- It is the responsibility of the individual to report personal discrepancies of the Code of Ethical Conduct.
- Any perceived discrepancies in the Code of Ethical Conduct of others will be addressed through the appropriate venues established within Senate protocol.
Decision making
- Be supportive of the process of Students First, the goals and mission of the college second. Work in a mutually supportive manner.
- Cooperate with the college and respect the policies and procedures. If change is necessary, follow directed protocol.
- Funding/monies shall only be donated, spent or contributed to organizations directly affiliated with the MHCC students, staff or campus.
- Conflicts of interest shall consist of, but be not singularly limited to, the following considerations:
- Self Dealing – use of position to secure contract or services
- Acceptance of benefits limited to self or others within group – bribery
- Influence peddling – solicit benefits
- Institution property, policies and procedures for personal advantage/use
- Use of confidential information for personal for personal gain
- Outside involvement – use position as leverage in a promissory manner (if “A” for me, I’ll do “B” for you
- Post employment – inside knowledge used in future endeavors
- When appropriate, disclose conflicts of interest to the group before the discussion of motioned issues.
- To prevent a conflict of interest, any staff member (or family member) that may qualify as a senate representative shall abstain from making motions, be involved in any discussions or vote on any issues before the Senate.
- The only acceptable gratuity by a senator is the satisfaction of improving the learning environment for the students of MHCC.
“But we must remember that good laws, if they are not obeyed, do not constitute good government. Hence there are two parts of good government; one is the actual obedience of citizens to the laws, the other is the goodness of the laws which they obey…” (Aristotle, politics 129a3-6)
“Them rules are good if anyone is not doin’ anything with ‘um.”
St. Yogi Berra (or something like that, with Yogi it doesn’t really matter)
References:
“Guidance for Writing a Code of Ethics” Chris MacDonald, PhD
“ National Staff Development Council Code of Ethics” Dennis Sparks
“WTA Code of Ethics” Walker Tate &Associates
“Life Skills Coaches Association of British Columbia Code of Ethics”
“Outline of the Content of a Code of Business Practice and Ethics” Laura Spence
“Ethic Codes: The Good, the Bad and Almost the Ugly” Patricia Parsons
MHCC, Clackamas Community College, Lane Community College, Code of Conduct and Constitutions
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