University of California Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct
Adopted by The Regents of the University of California, May 2005
History
In 2003, President Dynes asked a workgroup to review ethics programs in private industry and higher education, and within the University of California. The workgroup found that within UC, several locations had already begun thoughtful discussions about ethics at the University. To encourage the widespread adoption of common goals, the workgroup recommended that the President issue an overarching statement of values and standards of conduct to guide all members of the University community in their daily work.
At the President's direction, a group of faculty and administrators worked together to draft the UC Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct and consulted with various constituencies throughout the system for comment. In May 2005, The Regents embraced the Values and Standards for the Board and for implementation by the rest of the University community.
The President directed the workgroup to develop a plan to introduce the UC Ethical Values and Standards to the University community. Over the past year, the Ethics Rollout Team has developed a suite of online ethics briefings including a program introducing the UC Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct and two separate uniform programs providing a Conflict of Interest Briefing for Designated Officials and Regents and a Conflict of Interest Briefing for Principal Investigators.
During the next several months, the programs will be "rolled out" to campuses in early 2007.
The ethics briefing initiates a discussion within each community about the importance of ethical behavior, and reinforces the commitment by The Regents and President Dynes to support a campus culture that rewards ethical conduct.