Whereas Resolution 45-86 “Creation of an ASUCI Ethics Code” called for the creation of a task force to draft a proposed Code of Ethics for presentation to Legislative Council,

Whereas, a task force consisting of two members from Legislative Council, Lydie Loth and Eric Ly, Megan Braun, ASUCI President and Sandy Winslow, Executive Director of Student Government, met on two occasions,

Whereas, the task force reviewed ethics codes from other institutions, discussed those factors that were relevant to ASUCI and drafted a proposal for the organization.

Let it therefore be resolved that Legislative Council adopt the following ASUCI Code of Ethics and immediately publish it on the ASUCI website:

ASUCI Code of Ethics

I. Purpose:

The proper operation of student government requires that officers and employees be impartial and responsible only to the students of the university; no officer, employee or member of any standing committee or board shall permit any interest to conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties as a public official.  Public officials must also strive to act with integrity, high moral character, fairness and honesty in all of our dealings to maintain public trust, as even the appearance of impropriety jeopardizes our ability to serve our student population.  This Code of Ethics establishes a conduct agreement for all employees, officers, and representatives of the Associated Students of the University of California, Irvine, and will be upheld by both its membership and by all formal authorities who are responsible for reviewing conduct violations in the organization.

II. Definitions:

The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings subscribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Officer refers to any candidate for office, elected representative of a constituency as defined by the ASUCI Constitution, any person appointed to serve in the ASUCI, or other individual affiliated with ASUCI in such a way as to have official or unofficial duties as part of the normal and ordinary course of business.

Associated Students of University of California, Irvine (ASUCI) refers to the Judicial Board, Legislative Council, Executive Cabinet and all other officers and entities that represent ASUCI.

III. Values:

Officers of ASUCI have a duty to behave in a courteous and ethical manner at all times. As such, they shall set an example of ­the highest caliber for those who work with them.

To promote these behaviors within the student body, ASUCI and its officers shall use principles of honesty, integrity, respect, commitment, and service as a personal and professional guide.

HONESTY

-       Honor our personal obligation to be sincere and forthright by dealing fairly and truthfully with others

INTEGRITY

-       Maintain our beliefs and values despite changing circumstances and challenging environments

-       Respect our reputation and that of the Associated Students by avoiding unethical behaviors and the circumstances that encourage them

RESPECT

-       Embrace the diverse perspectives and accomplishments of others, knowing that it is the personal and cultural variations among people that enrich us individually and as a society

COMMITMENT

-       Maintain the highest standards of performance, conduct, and cooperation with our fellow students, faculty, staff, and co-workers

-       Perform our duties with due diligence and make a continuous effort towards improvement

SERVICE

-       Make advocacy and representation for the interests of the student body our highest priority

-       Recognize that the ability to represent the student body is a privilege and our first responsibility is to further the interests of our constituents

IV. Standards of Conduct:

1.      No officer of ASUCI shall receive special privileges or exemptions for themselves or others that might reasonably tend to influence them in the discharge of their official duties.

2.      No officer of ASUCI shall use their official position to solicit special privileges or exemptions for themselves or others that might reasonably tend to influence them in the discharge of their official duties.

3.     No officer of ASUCI shall grant any special consideration, treatment or advantage to any student, individual, student organization or group beyond that which is normally available to every other student, individual, student organization or group.

4.     No officer of ASUCI shall engage in any outside activities which will conflict with, or will be incompatible with their position as an officer of ASUCI, or the duties assigned to them in their employment with ASUCI.

5.     No officer of ASUCI, while acting in their capacity or in the course and scope of their employment, shall use the influence or prestige of their position or title as an employee or officer of ASUCI for or against any candidate for any elected office of ASUCI. This shall not preclude any officer of ASUCI from participating in any political process solely in his or her individual capacity as a private citizen.

6.     No officer of ASUCI shall knowingly perform or refuse to perform any act to deliberately obstruct the execution of ASUCI policy, rules or regulations, or the achievement of official ASUCI programs.

7.     No officer of ASUCI shall engage in any conduct unbecoming of a representative of the student body.

8.      No officer of ASUCI shall use ASUCI supplies, equipment or facilities for any purpose other than the conduct of official ASUCI business, unless otherwise provided for written permission of the Executive Director and ASUCI President.

9.     No officer of ASUCI shall use their situational or Constitutionally provided power or influence to force or coerce other individuals or officers to act against their will, conscience, or the regulations of ASUCI.

V. Sanctions:

Officers who are found to be in violation of this Code of Ethics may be subject to punitive sanctions as defined in the ASUCI governing documents and firing procedures enumerated in the ASUCI Resource Manual.