STANDARD II

Standard II: Ethics and Integrity

Ethics and integrity are central, indispensable, and defining hallmarks of effective higher education institutions. In all activities, whether internal or external, an institution must be faithful to its mission, honor its contracts and commitments, adhere to its policies, and represent itself truthfully.CriteriaA candidate or accredited institution possesses and demonstrates the following attributes or activities:1. a commitment to academic freedom, intellectual freedom, freedom of expression, and respect for intellectual property rights;2. a climate that fosters respect among students, faculty, staff, and administration from a range of diverse backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives;3. a grievance policy that is documented and disseminated to address complaints or grievances raised by students, faculty, or staff. The institution’s policies and procedures are fair and impartial and assure that grievances are addressed promptly, appropriately, and equitably;4. the avoidance of conflict of interest or the appearance of such conflict in all activities and among all constituents;5. fair and impartial employment practices, including all phases of hiring, evaluation, promotion, discipline, and separation, with appropriate attention to diversity;6. honesty and truthfulness in public relations announcements, advertisements, recruiting and admissions materials and practices, as well as in internal communications;7. as appropriate to its mission, has policies, services, or programs in place to:a. promote diversity, equity, and inclusion;b. promote affordability and accessibility;c. enable students to understand funding sources and options, value received for cost, and methods to make informed decisions about incurring debt;8. compliance with all applicable government laws and regulations and Commission policies and procedures, including but not limited to:a. required information for students and the public;b. representation of accreditation status;c. full disclosure of information on institution-wide assessments, graduation, retention, certification and licensure or licensing board pass rates;d. institution’s compliance with the Commission’s Requirements of Affiliation;e. verification of student identity in distance and correspondence education;f. substantive changes affecting institutional mission, goals, programs, operations, sites, and other material issues which must be disclosed in a timely and accurate fashion; and9. periodic assessment of ethics and integrity as evidenced in institutional policies, processes, practices, and the manner in which these are implemented.

Working Group Folder

LINES OF INQUIRY

How does the College ensure that a regular, periodic assessment of the College’s policies/practices regarding ethics and integrity results in a more ethical and honest environment for all members of the community?
How do the College’s communications, services, and programs for students and prospective students regarding affordability, accessibility, and debt reflect the college’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion? How are transparency, honesty, and truthfulness ensured in all communications?
The concepts of universal respect and understanding are integral to the St. Thomas Aquinas College Mission Statement, and to higher education as a whole.
- How does the College regularly demonstrate its commitment to the ideals of freedom, fairness, and an open exchange of ideas? How prepared is the College to justly and impartially handle grievances from any constituency when these ideals are not fully met?
- In terms of hiring and employment policy and practice, how does the College ensure fairness and equity?
What services or programs does STAC have in place for employees and students to address and promote diversity, equality, and inclusion, as well as advance affordability and accessibility.

Page updated

Report abuse