Development of the Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct

The university is a place where diverse viewpoints and intellectual exploration form the foundation for learning. For over a century, participants in the daily life of the University of California have pondered ethical issues in lectures, faculty forums, staff assemblies, student conferences, and in spur-of-the-moment hallway conversations. There is a strong University of California tradition of wide-ranging discourse on ethical decision-making.

In 2003, President Dynes asked a workgroup to survey formal ethics programs throughout the private sector, within the higher education community, and at the University of California. The survey confirmed anecdotal reports that throughout the University, workplace ethics and values were the focus of ongoing robust discussions. Each location had promulgated Principles of Community, a compact between all community members to uphold shared beliefs in an open exchange of ideas, and mutual and individual respect and integrity.

To encourage the widespread adoption of common goals, the workgroup recommended that the President issue an overarching statement of values and standards of ethical conduct to guide all members of the University community in their daily work.

A group of faculty and administrators collaborated to draft University of California Ethical Values and Standards, and sought input from a range of constituencies within the System. In May 2005, The Regents formally accepted the Values and Standards and asked the President to create means to promulgate the statements throughout the University community.

In response, UC has developed three separate internet-accessible interactive modules. The first of these -- the Ethics Briefing -- has now been made available to all locations. A second module set to launch in early May -- the Conflict of Interest Course for Designated Officials & Regents -- was designed to help selected employees, contractors and board participants interpret requirements of the California Political Reform Act. The final offering in this suite of three programs is a Conflict of Interest Briefing for Researchers, slated to be released in mid-May.

The goal of this three-part program is to promote further discussions within each University community about the importance of ethical behavior. For more information about location-specific efforts, see Campus Resources.