A Behavioral Guide for Southern Adventist University, its Employees, and its Students
FOUNDATIONS: Seeking to do what is right both in the sight of the Lord and in the eyes of other people (2 Cor. 8.21) and wanting to honor their pledge to revere God and love their neighbors wholeheartedly (Mark 12.30-31), Southern Adventist University (SAU), its employees, and its students commit themselves to exemplifying the ethical characteristics, values, and behaviors described below. These principles serve not only as ideals for inspiring good citizenship but also as guides for developing the policies and rules detailed in handbooks designed for SAU’s governors, employees, and students.
Honesty. Standing on the side of honesty (1 Cor. 13.6), ethical people are truthful, sincere, forthright, and tactfully candid (Eph. 4.15). They avoid all deceptive practices (Exod. 20.16; Prov. 12.19). They do not cheat, steal, plagiarize, lie, deceive, or act deviously (Exod. 20.15).
Integrity. Keeping their consciences clear (1 Pet. 3.16), ethical people are principled, graciously courageous, honorable, and upright (Prov. 21.29). They act on convictions and conscience (1 Tim. 1.5). They do not place expediency over principle (John 11.50).
Promise-Keeping. Making their “Yes” mean yes and their “No” mean no (Matt. 5.37), ethical people are trustworthy. They fulfill commitments and abide by the spirit as well as the letter of their agreements (1 Cor. 4.2). They do not seek loopholes or technical excuses to evade their commitments (Ps. 15.4).
Fidelity. Being friends who stick closer than family members (Prov. 18.24), ethical people are loyal to relatives, friends, peers, associates, co-workers, employees, employers, church, and all legitimate governmental entities. They safeguard others’ ability to make independent professional judgments by scrupulously avoiding undue influences and conflicts of interest (Josh. 24.15). They do not break confidences or tell secrets obtained in professional and personal roles unless other ethical duties require disclosure (Prov. 11.13).
Fairness. Knowing that showing partiality is wrong (Prov. 28.21), ethical people are fair, open-minded–willing both to admit error and (when appropriate) to change positions. They demonstrate a commitment to justice, equivalent treatment of individuals, and healthful tolerance for diversity (Jas. 2.1). They do not take undue advantage of another’s mistakes or adversities (Gal. 6.1-2).
Caring for Others. Loving others as much as they love themselves (Matt. 19.19), ethical people are benevolent, caring, kind, compassionate, forgiving, and helpful. They treat others as they themselves should be treated (Matt. 7.12). They do not harm others; they do not act selfishly or greedily
(Isa. 58.6-7).
Respect for Individuals. Taking delight in the moral worth of human beings (Rom. 12.10), ethical people are courteous, gracious, and decent. They respect themselves by striving to live lives of wellness. They value human dignity, honoring other people. Ethical people are courteous, gracious, and decent. They respect human dignity, privacy, and the moral right of others to self-determination (1 Pet. 2:17). They do not patronize, bully, embarrass, or demean others (Matt 7:1-2).
Responsible Citizenship. Believing that they should respect governmental authority (Rom. 13.4), ethical people are good citizens. They support and obey just laws and oppose unjust ones; they exercise their civic rights and privileges responsibly–such as voting, expressing informed views, and performing public service; they respect and honor democratic processes of decision-making; they avoid unnecessary secrecy or concealment of information; they do their best to provide to other people information they need to exercise their rights (Matt. 22.21). They do not initiate, support, or tolerate anything immoral, illegal, antisocial, or uncivil (2 Pet. 2.10).
Pursuit of Excellence. Ever pressing toward the goals set before them (Phil. 3.14), ethical people are diligent, reliable, industrious, and committed (Prov. 6.6-11). They work at being well informed and well prepared; they make excellence their goal; they strive to meet personal and professional responsibilities; they perform their tasks to the best of their abilities; they try to develop and to maintain a high degree of competence (Eccles. 9.10). They do not accede to mediocrity; they never seek to “win at any cost” (Prov. 20.17).
Accountability. Keeping their promises even if doing so hurts them personally (Ps. 15.4), ethical people are accountable. They accept responsibility for decisions and the foreseeable consequences of actions and inactions and for setting an example for others; they protect and enhance the reputations of both the organizations and individuals within their spheres of influence–including the reputations of their “enemies” (Matt. 5.38-48); they avoid even the appearance of impropriety and take whatever appropriate actions they can to try to correct or prevent the inappropriate conduct of others (1 Thess. 5.22). They do not hide from duty; they do not remain silent or inactive in the face of wrong (Isa. 58.7).