Whereas, there is the current Standards of Conduct do not contain language governing the receiving of gifts, trips, and/or handouts from outside sources that could entice a conflict of interest for council members; and

Whereas, “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,”

Whereas, section IV delineates Standards of Conduct that outline standards that all officers, including Legislative Council Members, are expected to abide by,

Whereas, the Standards of Conduct are:

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.

Whereas, there is no Standard that discusses the act of accepting gifts, trips, handouts, that will entice a conflict of interest for Council Members,

Whereas, the United States House of Representatives rules bans the receipt of gifts for elected officials while in office,

Whereas, California officials are also held to the same standard, and are restricted from accepting gifts as stated by the gift rule

Whereas, student government officials should perform their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias caused by the interests of outside groups who have contributed gifts, trips, and/or handouts;

Whereas, these gifts deteriorate public confidence in the integrity of elected officials,

Whereas, groups that can afford to coerce council members through gifts are granted more access and privilege than groups that cannot afford to do so,

Whereas, the Code of Ethics demands that we:

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

Whereas, this accepting gifts, trips, and handouts of the sort would directly conflict with this tenant,

Let it be resolved, that ASUCI add an 8th Standard of Conduct that reads:

“All ASUCI officers shall report the receipt of gifts, trips, handouts, donations, or in-kind benefits totaling a sum greater than $50 at any given time, $100 per quarter, or $150 per year, during their term of office. In the event that a council member accepts such a gift, he or she shall refrain from voting on any related issue.”

Let it finally be resolved, that this Standard of Conduct would mandate officers to declare any gifts or benefits they’ve accepted; and if found to directly conflict with their vote on a pertinent issue, said member would be restricted from participating in voting due to conflict of interest.