3. Ethical Standards
D.3.01 Ethical Standards:
All employees must adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards, always conducting official duties for the System with integrity and honesty, and in conformance with applicable law, governing regulations, and the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees. All employees must:
a. Be responsible for protecting information that is made confidential by law, to which access is restricted by state or federal law, Board policy, System procedures, or in accordance with contracts to which the System is bound. This includes an obligation to refuse to engage in any employment, sales, or commercial activity that might reasonably be expected to require or induce the disclosure of information acquired by reason of the employee's position.
b. Refuse to accept any significant gift, favor, or service that might reasonably tend to, or appear to, influence the discharge of official duties or official conduct. This includes the responsibility to avoid any personal business arrangements that might impair independent judgment in the performance of official duties.
c. Avoid personal investments that could reasonably be expected to create a substantial conflict between the employee's private interest and the public interest to which he or she is appointed to serve.
d. Perform all official duties and exercise all official powers in an impartial manner, free from any solicitation, acceptance or agreement to accept or give any personal benefit, including a benefit for or to one's family.
e. Contribute to the creation of a positive and constructive environment that is essential for the success and effectiveness of the workplace and the teaching/learning process, including the responsibility for each employee to:
i. Subscribe to the judicious use of power vested in his or her position and exercise particular care in relationships of unequal authority, such as that of a supervisor/subordinate or a faculty/student, in which he or she has responsibility for evaluation and decision-making.
ii. Ensure that each employee/student under his or her direction has the opportunity to work/learn in an environment that is free from prohibited harassment or discrimination and that reflects concern for each individual and respect for each person.
iii. Refuse to permit a family member to enroll in a class or other instructional activity for which the employee has responsibility to evaluate performance.
iv. Take reasonable actions to ensure that appropriate rules regarding plagiarism and/or cheating are in place and enforced to protect academic integrity.
f. Keep accurate and reliable records of all matters for which he or she has responsibility, and maintain all records and funds in a manner that is consistent with the law and the System's accounting processes, in an accurate and straightforward manner.
g. Provide full and accurate information, and true records of all required documentation, including employee applications, employment verification documents, transcripts, certifications and credentials, criminal history, information regarding prior employment, and any other information which materially relates to the employee's employment or application for employment with the System.
LSCS Policy Manual Section adopted by the Board of Trustees on August 7, 2008