Council adopts Guidelines for Academic Conduct

Posted June 18, 1999


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 17, 1999
99-06-06-OTHER

Council adopts Guidelines for Academic
Conduct

Today the University of Saskatchewan Council approved a set of
Guidelines for Conduct between teachers and students, designed to
enhance the learning environment by describing a set of expectations
for ethical behaviour. Council is the University of Saskatchewan's
academic decision-making body and includes students as well as
faculty.

The Guidelines are organized around three main principles with
related standards:

? the Principle of Learning and Growth with related standards of
student development, subject matter competence, and pedagogical
competence;

? the Principle of Honesty and Integrity with related standards of
academic honesty, fair and valid assessment, and managing
interactions and relationships; and

? the Principle of Respect for the Dignity of Others, with related
standards of confidentiality, dealing with sensitive topics, respect for
others and respect for the institution.

Each standard identifies the roles and responsibilities of students,
faculty, and the University as an institution. Specific examples of
ethical behaviour help to illustrate each principle in action.

?These guidelines are not intended to replace existing rules or
regulations, nor are they designed to interfere with matters that
would normally be the subject of collective bargaining,? explains
University Council Ad Hoc Committee on Conduct Chair Jim
McClements. ?They are intended to serve as an educational tool, to
help teachers and students to recognize and respond to situations
where ethical judgement is required.?

?Our ability to communicate with each other effectively is paramount
to our success as an institution,? adds Scott Blythe, Vice-President
(Academic) for the University of Saskatchewan Students Union
(USSU). ?The Students' Union recognizes the value of an educational
tool such as this one. We will not always agree with each other, but
we must never stop communicating. The guidelines will allow us all
to speak the same language.?

The Guidelines were developed in response to a proposal by the
USSU. In April 1997 Council struck an ad hoc committee to develop
the Guidelines that included the Vice-Presidents (Academic) of the
University and the USSU, four faculty members, three undergraduate
students, one sessional lecturer and a graduate student.

Extensive consultation went into the development of the Guidelines.
Draft versions were posted on Council's web site; open meetings were
held to discuss the Guidelines; and copies were distributed to specific
groups for comments and suggestions.

The Guidelines, which Council will review after a five-year period,
are available on the Council web page at
http://www.usask.ca/university_council/reports/guide_conduct.sht
ml.


For more information please contact:

Scott Blythe or Jim McClements
Vice-President (Academic) Chair, Academic Code of Conduct
USSU Committee
(306) 966-6968 University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6472