Section I

1.1 WHEREAS the current policy IV.02.01, "Code of Ethics" contains numerous ambiguities and grammatical and syntactic errors; and

1.2 WHEREAS the current policy digresses from being a concise guide for making ethical decisions and is therefore of limited use to members of the University of Oregon community.

Section II

2.1 BE IT HEREBY MOVED that the entire body of the current policy IV.02.01, "Code of Ethics" be deleted and replaced with the following text:

As a major public research university, the University of Oregon is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of intellectual honesty, social responsibility, public accountability, and financial stewardship and is committed to cultivating those standards in our students, faculty, and staff. 

    Intellectual Honesty is intrinsic in the University of Oregon as a community of scholars.  We are dedicated to the free and open pursuit of knowledge and truth.  Lying, cheating, plagiarism, or mendacity are not acceptable.

    Social Responsibility inheres in the University of Oregon as a university.  We are responsible to our state, our nation, and the world community to sustain and improve lives, including the lives of those who come after us.  We are particularly responsible to treat others within our university community with the respect and equity due to all humans.  Threatening, degrading, or abusive behaviors are not acceptable.

    Public Accountability ensures that the University of Oregon fulfills its mission as a public institution.  Governance and financial processes will be transparent and inclusive.  Secrecy will be eschewed except when it is invoked to protect legitimate confidential interests.

    Financial Stewardship means that all of us are responsible for ensuring that the material resources of the University of Oregon are used effectively and legitimately to further our mission.  Fraud, waste, or malfeasance of any sort is not acceptable.

This Code of Ethics is intended to guide all members of the University of Oregon community as they make ethical choices and to guide leaders as they frame policies and procedures.  For further guidance relevant laws, policies, and procedures should be carefully scrutinized.  This Code of Ethics should never be construed to limit the academic freedom of members of the University of Oregon community.