8-2 Code of Conduct
Faculty are seen as leaders in the classroom and are expected to provide a model of ethical behavior for both students and others in the community. Faculty are also expected to know and adhere to the stated policies and procedures of United States University.
For purposes of this section, an individual has "professional responsibility" for another individual at the University if he or she performs functions including, without limitation, teaching, counseling, grading, advising, evaluating, hiring, supervising, or making decisions or recommendations that confer benefits such as promotions, financial aid awards, or other remuneration, or that may impact other academic or employment opportunities.
Specific guidelines regarding ethical conduct include, without limitation, the following:
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Faculty must provide their students with the contractually agreed upon number of contact hours in each course, with their full attention and consideration devoted during that contact time to the promotion of their students' achievement of the goals, objectives, and competencies described in the relevant University and college course syllabus guidelines.
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Faculty must treat and grade all students fairly and objectively and are required to implement United States University's equal opportunity policy. The policy ensures that there is no discrimination of students, including teaching, grading, counseling, or other academic activities, based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or other prohibited categories.
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Faculty will not exploit students for the faculty member's advantage.
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Faculty must not require students to reveal personal information that might be used for research data without written informed consent and ensure that the student will suffer no penalty for non- revelation.
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Faculty must refrain from involvement in an intimate or otherwise inappropriate relationship with any student who is enrolled in their courses or with students with whom they have a professional relationship or responsibility within the context of United States University.
United States University is committed to providing an environment free from harassment of or discrimination against any student, faculty member, or other employees based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or other prohibited categories.
Sexual harassment constitutes unwanted sexual advances or visual, verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment includes many forms of offensive behavior and includes harassment of a person of the same sex as the harasser.
Sexual or gender harassment includes, without limitation:
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Unwanted sexual advances;
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Offering employment or academic benefits in exchange for sexual favors;
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Making or threatening reprisals after a negative response to sexual advances;
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Visual conduct, e.g., leering, making sexual gestures, displaying sexually suggestive objects or pictures, cartoons or posters;
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Verbal conduct, e.g., making or using derogatory comments, epithets, slurs, and jokes;
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Verbal sexual advances or propositions;
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Verbal abuse of a sexual nature; e.g., graphic verbal commentaries about an individual's body, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual, suggestive or obscene letters, notes, or invitations;
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Harassment based on a person's gender, such as targeting a person for offensive or hostile treatment because she is a woman; and
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Physical conduct, such as impeding or blocking movements, touching, or assault.
Such conduct constitutes harassment when:
submission to the conduct is made either an explicit or implicit condition of receiving employment or academic benefits;
when submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as the basis for an employment or academic decision; -or when the harassment interferes with an employee's work performance or a student's academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment.
Every reported student complaint of harassment will be investigated thoroughly, promptly, and confidentially by the Provost's Office. The faculty member must be informed at the same time the investigation is initiated. United States University will not tolerate retaliation against any student, faculty member, or another employee to cooperate in an investigation or make a complaint.
United States University refrains from discriminating against an otherwise qualified student, faculty member, or employee, including applicants, and to make reasonable accommodation to disabled students, faculty members, and other employees, provided that the accommodation does not require it to change the fundamental nature or essential curricular components of its programs. Reasonable accommodation may include modification of examination procedures and providing auxiliary aids where necessary. Faculty members are to consult with the Dean and the ADA Coordinator if reasonable accommodations are sought. Faculty must report any conduct by a student that could result in any disciplinary action to the Provost's office.