Ethics/ Staff Discipline Lauren Adams, RHD HSC

Objectives  Staff ethics, accountability, and institutional responsibility  Staff discipline process

Ethics  Principles that govern a person’s or group’s behavior  Represents a community’s most deeply held and widely accepted values  Provide a foundation for what’s in the best interest of students and serve as a guide when making institutional decisions  University Housing believes that adherence to these ethics will enhance the success of the residence life programs and development of character and maturity of individual staff members  Ethical standards are an excellent guide when making institutional decisions

Staff Ethics  1. Know and understand University Housing’s mission statement and the guiding values and principles.  This document aids in supporting our work.  We achieve the realization of this goal through programming, student involvement in hall activities, student accountability through peer review and sound fiscal management.  2. Know the policies.  Uphold the Constitution, laws and legal regulations of the United States and the State of Georgia.  Conduct yourself in accordance with these rules and regulations.

Staff Ethics  3. Participate in all training to develop new knowledge.  Use this knowledge to improve programs, communication skills and administrative skills.  4. Carry out the responsibilities of your position in a positive manner.  If you become negative, negligent or apathetic toward your responsibilities, you risk doing a great disservice to our residents.  If you fall short because of outside activities, academic problems or personal problems, you should make an adjustment. This may mean dropping some activities or asking to be relieved of your staff position. Should such a problem arise, it is your duty to see your direct supervisor (graduate assistant, residence hall director, or area/senior coordinator) immediately in order to work out a solution.

Staff Ethics  5. Staff members should act with integrity, dignity and competence while striving toward improved services, educational programs and administrative tasks.  Responsibility is not just reporting for duty at a certain time and carrying out what has been assigned, but also involves the initiative to speak up or act in situations for which the CA’s or RA’s responsibility has not been spelled out exactly.  6. Accept residents as individuals with rights and responsibilities as well as goals and needs.  Keep these in mind when creating and maintaining a residential living environment in which learning and personal development can occur.  Always respect the privacy and property of others.

Staff Ethics  7. You may receive confidential material and information from several sources. Keep it confidential.  Information from other staff members and university administrators must be kept confidential.  Recognize the difference between consultation and gossip.  Be sure residents confiding in you understand your position regarding confidentiality and inform them that you must reveal certain information to your supervisor.  Discussions at staff meetings may be confidential. Use discretion in discussing such information with residents or other staff members who are not on your team.  You may discuss another student's problem with another staff member when necessary, but never in the presence of another student. Be careful not to be overheard when discussing confidential matters. Refrain from discussing student problems with staff members from other halls except for problems where mutual consultation and information is vital.  You should never profit personally from confidential information.

Staff Ethics  8. Complaining is never appropriate.  If you are unhappy with specific individuals or policies, there are appropriate channels through which your concerns and suggestions can be registered. Seek out the person or office that can hear you out and deal with your concern. Indiscriminate criticisms of the administration, other staff members or residents damages morale and lessens the respect others have for you.  9. An understanding of the lines of authority and the practice of communication is important.  Each staff member reports to a supervisor and belongs to a team. As a team member, you should develop and maintain relationships with other staff members that create an environment of mutual respect, support, trust, and interdependence.  When disharmony occurs within a staff team, do not gossip or complain to other people about other staff members. Instead convey support, use constructive feedback and maintain confidentiality as you resolve conflict within your staff team member and/or supervisor.

Staff Ethics  10. We will all make our share of mistakes. Occasionally, a staff member may fail to follow through on responsibilities or act in conflict with policies and procedures.  Staff members who do not meet responsibilities or who act in violation of policies and procedures break their trust with our residents and the department, as well as with their peers.  You can demonstrate concern and still hold a staff member accountable for their actions by stating that you are aware of the situation and want to help find a way to communicate with their supervisor. If a staff member fails to inform their supervisor of his or her actions, you have a responsibility to report the staff member's actions to the appropriate supervisor.  11. As a staff member, you ALWAYS represent University Housing and the University of Georgia.  When referring to University Housing, use the pronoun "we", and not "they". All staff members must represent University Housing well on and off campus.

Staff Ethics  13. A staff member is in a position to be accused of many kinds of favoritism. Be consistent in how you act and treat others and be consistent in following policies and procedures.  Staff must display objectivity and be careful about making exceptions, giving special favors or privileges to anyone that might be misconstrued by others. Never make promises or agreements that are not consistent with policy and your job responsibilities.  14. Use good judgment in social relationships with residents, other staff members and members of the Athens community.  Watch your actions so they cannot be questioned when you might have to challenge other's actions. As a staff member, your actions serve as an example to other residents. Always conduct yourself in a mature, dignified manner. There is no better way to command respect and foster trust with others.

Staff Discipline  As staff members of University Housing, CAs and RAs are expected to follow all university and departmental policies, as well as uphold any other expectations set forth by their supervisor or the area/senior coordinator of their community. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action or termination from their position.  Student employees are considered temporary employees.  A temporary employee may be separated at any time for any reasons without notice and either the employer or the employee can end the employment relationship. Such separation is not grievable or subject to appeal.

Staff Discipline  Supervisor will determine how to best hold student staff accountable.  Documentation will be utilized by supervisors to address violations of procedures and expectations.  Termination may result in situations where the supervisor deems the behavior to be of such severity that it impairs the functioning of hall operations. Depending on the situation or circumstances, termination may occur with no prior warning.