I. The employees of Rio Hondo Community College District are committed to providing a high quality learning environment to help our students successfully achieve their educational goals and objectives. Accordingly, they have interests in, and commitment to, ethical behavior. Ethical persons are those who abide by principles and exemplify virtues as understood within a given moral framework. Many believe that virtue is intrinsically rewarding. At the very least, that one be perceived as ethical is instrumental in establishing credibility and trust.
II. To support Rio Hondo’s commitment to ethical behavior, college employees adhere to standards of ethical and professional behavior related to their duties, and have responsibilities to the institution and to individuals they serve. Although one cannot “legislate morality” in the sense of mandating virtuous intentions, we can, and do, establish general expectations of conduct.
III. There are many sources of ethical inspiration and guidance. All employees of Rio Hondo College are subject to official College policies and procedures; applicable regulatory agency requirements; local, state, and federal laws; and professional standards (when applicable). This includes policies such as the Rio Hondo College Policy on Sexual Harassment (BP 3430), its Policy on Nondiscrimination (BP 3410), and its Policy on Academic Freedom (BP 4030).
IV. In addition, the Board of Trustees is subject to its own Code of Ethics (BP 2715), and most of our employees are members of professional organizations with their own established codes of ethics, such as the CTA, CSEA, and ACCCA. Employees are encouraged to consult their own organizations, when applicable, for further guidance. As constituents of Rio Hondo College, students are likewise encouraged to maintain high Standards of Conduct (BP 5500).
V. As a further demonstration of commitment to high ethical standards, employees of Rio Hondo College aspire to be guided by the following values statements. These are guidelines and aspirations to be used for educational and not disciplinary purposes, with our own conscience as the first and most salient means of evaluation:
• The College values open communication, honesty, and truthfulness, and aspires to an “open door” philosophy.
• The College values open inquiry and honors academic freedom.
• The College strives to protect human dignity and individual freedom.
• The College values clear roles and responsibilities, teamwork, and cooperation (as outlined in AB1725), and therefore aspires to develop a climate of trust and mutual support.
• The College is committed to providing excellent educational opportunities to the community, and the instructional faculty seeks to evaluate students by honest appraisal of student performance against faculty standards.
Board Approved 09/10/14
