Submitted by the Disciplinary Committee on March 13, 1998
Approved as amended by the BOD on March 25, 1998

Policy Statement

NDU expects all executive officers, faculty, staff, student employees, and others, when acting on behalf of the University, to maintain the highest standard of ethical conduct.

The University’s commitment to the highest standard of ethical conduct is an integral part of its mission in order to foster:

  • initiative
  • integrity
  • excellence
  • responsibility
  • collegiality
  • moral and physical self discipline

This level of ethical conduct is expected in an environment of academic, civil and professional stewardship



Definitions

Abuse Power: Wrongful use of a position of authority to influence employees, students, colleagues, or volunteers.

Collegiality: The quality of being marked and characterized by equal sharing of authority.

Conflict of Commitment: A situation in which an employee’s external employment interferes with his/her performance at the university.

Conflict of Interest: A situation in which an individual or any of his/her family members has a financial interest that might damage the individual independence and objectivity of judgment in the discharge of responsibilities to the university.

Discipline: The training or pattern of behavior that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties and moral character.

Conduct: The discipline dealing with what is good or bad and with moral duty and obligation as determined by a set of values and moral principles.

Excellence: The quality of being eminently good and of proving an outstanding level of conduct and moral obligation.
Financial Irregularity: A misstatement mission, or failure to disclose information related to the university.

Fraud: An act of misrepresentation, dishonesty, trickery and suppression of truth.

Kickback: The act of accepting a payment to improperly obtain a favorable treatment in connection with a contract.

Misconduct: Any practice that seriously deviates from those commonly accepted as proper, such as cheating, falsification, fabrication and plagiarism.

Responsibility: The quality or state of being accountable and reliable at the moral, legal or mental level.

Stewardship: The management of tangible and intangible assets of the university.



Reason for Policy

The University’s commitment to this ethical conduct upholds the reputation of the university, both on the national and international level, and encourages compliance with applicable University Bylaws and other policies, rules and regulations.



Related Conduct

In order to implement the Ethical Conduct Policy NDU personnel should avoid any behavior that could lead to abuse of power, conflict of commitment, conflict of interest, financial irregularity, fraud, kickback and misconduct.
Executive officers, faculty, staff, student employees and others should encourage an environment at the university that supports the highest level of integrity as an integral part of the university’s goals of attracting quality students and faculty members.



Procedures

1. Reporting a violation: You are expected to report violations of this policy to appropriate university personnel, after discussing it with the immediate supervisor.

2. The identity of individuals, reporting the violations, will be protected within legal limits. Individuals who take retaliatory actions will be subject to discipline, up to and including discharge.

3. Enforcement: Disciplinary measures may be taken in accordance with applicable regulations, by one of the following appropriate offices:

  • immediate supervisor
  • department chair
  • Dean of Faculty
  • relevant Vice President
  • responsible university office

Actions Taken

1. Individuals who violate the Ethical Conduct Policy will be subject to discipline up to, and including, discharge.

2. Individuals who take retaliatory action will be subject to discipline up to, and including, discharge.