SUGGESTED CODE
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

(Name of Academic Unit)
 

Academic Integrity:
Faculty Obligations and Student Rights

I. Faculty Obligations and Student Rights

A faculty member accepts an obligation, in relation to his or her students, to discharge his or her duties in a fair and conscientious manner in accordance with the ethical standards generally recognized within the academic community (as well as those of the profession).

 Without limiting the application of the above principle, members of the faculty are also expected (except in cases of illness or other compelling circumstance) to conduct themselves in a professional manner, including the following:

1. To meet their classes when scheduled.

2. To be available at reasonable times for appointments with students, and to keep such appointments.

3. To make appropriate preparation for classes and other meetings.

4. To perform their grading duties and other academic evaluations in a timely manner.

5. To describe to students, within the period in which a student may add and drop a course, orally, in writing, or by reference to    printed course descriptions, the general content and objectives of a course; and announce the methods and standards of evaluation, including the importance to be assigned various factors in academic evaluation and, in advance of any evaluation, the permissible materials or references allowed during evaluation.

6. To base all academic evaluations upon good-faith professional judgment.

7. Not to consider, in academic evaluation, such factors as race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, and political or cultural affiliation, and life style, activities, or behavior outside the classroom unrelated to academic achievement.

8. To respect the confidentiality of information regarding a student contained in University records; and to refrain from releasing such information, except in connection with intra-University business, or with student consent, or as may be permitted by law.

9. Not to exploit his or her professional relationship with students for private advantage; and to refrain from soliciting the assistance of students for private purposes in a manner which infringes upon such students' freedom of choice.

10. To give appropriate recognition to contributions made by students to research, publication, service, or other activities.

11. To refrain from any activity which involves risk to the health and safety of a student, except with the student's informed consent, and, where applicable, in accordance with the University policy relating to the use of human subjects in experimentation.

12. To respect the dignity of students individually and collectively in the classroom and other academic contexts.

Back to the Suggested Code: Faculty Obligations
Back to Academic Integrity Guidelines

Back to the Office of the Provost


academic@pitt.edu
 
 

Note: As each academic unit develops its code, it should recognize that what is expected of faculty hereunder is intended to provide students with a notion of what is required in the course, and how they will be evaluated; a general statement of broadly defined parameters would therefore suffice. If a course is deemed experimental in content, evaluation techniques, or grading practices, the students should be so advised. By academic evaluation is meant a measurement or grading of a student's academic performance, such as in written or oral examinations or papers, research reports, or class or laboratory participation.

Note: If the student charges such discrimination, the [designated administrative officer] will consult with the unit affirmative action officer to ensure compliance with civil rights legislation and regulations. In such cases, the University Senate Tenure and Academic Freedom Committee may be consulted at any time.

Note: References or recommendations may be given in good faith by a faculty member on his or her own behalf, without documentation of a student's consent if it may be reasonably perceived that the student initiated the request for a recommendation, in response to apparent bona fide inquiries, such as those from institutions which state that the student has applied for employment, for admission to graduate school, or for a professional license. See fuller statements concerning University records in the Student Code of Conduct and Judicial Procedures

Note: Students are advised that other University policies may more appropriately apply to a given grievance or avenue of redress, including, but not necessarily limited to, the University of Pittsburgh Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure.