STATEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

FOR FACULTY AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

I.  Faculty, guided by a deep conviction of the worth and dignity of the advancement of knowledge, recognize the special responsibilities placed upon them.  Their

    primary responsibility to their subject as researchers and scholars is to seek and to state the truth as they see it.  They accept the obligation to exercise critical

    self-discipline and judgment in using, extending, and transmitting knowledge.  They practice intellectual honesty.  Although faculty may follow subsidiary

    interests, these interests must never seriously hamper or compromise their freedom of inquiry.

II.  As teachers, faculty encourage the free pursuit of learning in their students.  They hold before them the best scholarly and ethical standards of their discipline.

     Faculty demonstrate respect for student as individuals and adhere to their proper roles as intellectual guides and counselors.  Faculty make every reasonable

     effort to foster honest academic conduct and to ensure that their evaluations of students reflect each student’s true merit.  They respect the confidential nature

     of the relationship between professor and student.  They do not discriminate against, exploit or harass students.  They acknowledge significant academic or

     scholarly assistance from them.  They protect their academic freedom.

III.  As colleagues, faculty have obligations that derive from common membership in the community of scholars.  Faculty do not discriminate against, exploit or

       harass other faculty member or staff.  They respect and defend the free inquiry of associates.  In the exchange of criticism and ideas faculty show due

       respect for the opinions of others.  Faculty acknowledge academic debt and strive to be objective in their professional judgment of colleagues.  Faculty

       accept their share of faculty responsibilities for the governance of their institution.

IV.  As members of an academic institution, faculty seek above all to be effective teachers and scholars.  Although faculty observe the stated regulations of the

       institution, provided the regulations do not contravene academic freedom, they maintain their right to criticize and seek revision.  Faculty give due regard to

       their paramount responsibilities within their institution in determining the amount and character of work done outside it.  When considering the interruption or

       termination of their service, faculty recognize the effect of their decision upon the program of the institution and give due notice of their intentions.

V.  As members of their community, faculty have the right and obligations of other citizens.  Faculty measure the urgency of these obligations in the light of their

      responsibilities to their subject, to their students, to their profession, and to their institution.  When they speak or act as private persons they avoid creating

      the impression of speaking or acting for their college or university.  As citizens engaged in a profession that depends upon freedom for its health and integrity,

      faculty have a particular obligation to promote conditions of free inquiry and to further public understanding of academic freedom.

Approved by the University Council, November 7, 2001.