All members of the college community who are engaged in business transactions are responsible for sustaining the highest ethical standards of this institution, and of the broader community in which they function. The college values integrity, honesty and fairness and strives to integrate these values into its teaching and business practices.

Definitions

• The term college means St. John’s College.
• The term “member of the college community” (member) includes contractors, students, faculty members, staff members, and college officials who are engaged in business transactions on behalf of or in the name of the college. A person’s status in a particular situation shall be determined by the Charter and Polity of the college.
• The term “college premises” includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of or owned, used, or controlled by the college.
• The term “organization” means any number of persons who have complied with the formal requirements for college recognition or registration.

Proscribed Conduct

1. Jurisdiction of the College Code of Ethics

   The Code of Ethics shall apply to conduct that occurs on college premises, at college sponsored activities, and to off-campus conduct that may affect the college community and/or employee’s fitness to perform his/her professional responsibilities. Each member shall be responsible for his/her conduct throughout his/her employment relationship with the college.

2. Gifts, Favors, and Payments by the College:
   Gifts, favors, and payments may be given to others at the college’s expense, if they meet all of the following criteria:
   • They are consistent with accepted business practices
   • They are of sufficiently limited value and in a form that will not be construed as a bribe or payoff
   • They are not in violation of applicable law and generally accepted ethical standards, and
   • Public disclosure of the facts will not embarrass the college
3. Gifts, Favors, Entertainment and Payments Received by College Members:
   Members shall not seek or accept for themselves or others any gifts, favors, entertainment, or payments without a legitimate business purpose nor shall they seek or accept personal loans (other than conventional loans at market rates from lending institutions) from any person or business organization that does or seeks to do business with or is a competitor of the college. In the application of this policy: members may accept for themselves and members of their families common courtesies usually associated with customary business practices. These include but are not limited to:
   • Lunch and/or dinner with vendors sometimes including spouses as long as the invitation is extended by the vendor.
   • Gifts of small value from vendors such as calendars, pens, pads, coffee mugs, etc.
   • Tickets to events (such as sports, arts, etc.) are acceptable if offered by the vendor and the vendor accompanies the associate to the event. These are not to be solicited by members of the college community and must be approved by the appropriate college officer.
   • Overnight outings are acceptable under the condition that the individuals from either other companies or the vendor are in attendance. The member must have prior approval from the appropriate college officer.
   • The receipt of alcoholic beverages is discouraged.
   • Gifts of perishable items usually given during the holidays such as hams, cookies, nuts, etc. are acceptable.
   • Honoraria for services performed in amounts that are consistent with generally accepted business practices.
4. Conduct – Rules and Regulations

   Members of the college community are required to comply with basic standards of conduct that are generally applicable to all persons employed by the college. Failure to comply with the Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or suspension as outlined in the appropriate policy manual. The following types of conduct are deemed to be infringements of the Code of Ethics. This list is non-exhaustive and the college reserves the right to discipline members for conduct not listed below.

   • Neglect of duty and/or lack of due care and/or diligence in the performance of duties.
   • Theft, misappropriation, and/or unauthorized possession or removal of property belonging to the college, members of the college community, or other persons with whom the college has a business relationship.
   • Concealing, falsifying, altering, misusing, or removing records including electronic data records.
   • Direct or indirect misuse of college resources, including property leased to the college, for other than officially approved activities (including, but not limited to, employees, facilities, mail service, supplies, equipment, and college computing and communication resources, including computers, networks, electronic mail services, electronic information sources, voicemail, telephone services, and other communication resources).
   • Misuse or abuse of college resources, including funds, equipment or facilities. College resources must be reserved for business purposes on behalf of the college, and may not be used for personal gain; they should not be used for personal use except in a manner that is incidental and reasonable in light of the employee’s duties. College resources include, but are not limited to, the use of college systems, such as telephone systems, data communication and networking services, and the domain for electronic communication forums; the use of college equipment; the use of procurement tools such as purchasing cards and petty cash; the time and effort of other staff, students, and others at the college.
   • Attempted or actual theft, unauthorized possession, and/or damage to property of the college, any person, or any other entity.
   • Unauthorized use of institutional resources or facilities for personal, commercial, political, or other improper purposes. This includes release of college database information to anyone outside the college, or for a use that is not consistent with the purpose for which the information is held.
   • Any violation of the College Computer Use policy such as theft, abuse, and/or misuse of computer facilities and resources.
   • Violation of the rules and laws governing the use of copyrighted materials, patented ideas, licenses, proprietary information, and infringement of individual or college intellectual property. The college expects persons employed by the college to make proper attribution to the ideas and work of others.

   Improper documentation, destruction, or making false statements, alterations, deletions or omissions on college forms, records or reports including but not limited to production records, employment applications, and medical records.