Getting Involved
From leading by example and signing the Honor Code to small-group discussions, there are a number of ways for faculty and staff to promote integrity and ethical behavior.
Lead by Example
It seems quite simple, but it is really the best way that you can promote integrity and ethical behavior. In the classroom, in your research, or in your office, we urge you to aspire to the highest ethical means.
Sign the Honor Code
Every fall and spring semester, the Smeal College of Business invites faculty, staff, and administrators to sign the Honor Code. We encourage you to reaffirm your commitment to integrity every semester. Visit Smeal’s website under Events for the latest information about future signing events.
Display the Honor Code in Your Office
Print the Honor Code (PDF) and display it in your office for others to see your commitment to integrity.
Staff the Honor Code Signing
In addition to signing the Honor Code, faculty, staff, and administrators are encouraged to staff the signing table and answer questions about the Honor Code. Dean Whiteman and Honor and Integrity Director Jennifer Eury will send an e-mail to the community, early in the fall and spring semesters, asking for volunteers. Volunteers receive briefing materials and a “Rise Above” T-shirt to wear during the signing session.
Participate in Contests
Integrity Insights, the college’s integrity e-newsletter, features important updates and announcements as well as contest opportunities to promote integrity and ethical behavior. Look for upcoming contest opportunities in the next issue of Integrity Insights.
Attend an Honor and Integrity Event
From small-group discussions to Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week, there are a number of special events planned throughout the year. Visit Smeal’s website under Upcoming Events for the latest information about future events, or see the next issue of Integrity Insights.
Host a Workshop for Your Work Unit
From knowing your personal values and establishing your unit’s core values to ethical decision-making, these team-building and leadership development sessions will add value to new and established teams. Contact the Honor and Integrity Director to schedule a workshop for your team, office, or work unit.
Plan an Ethical Issues Discussion for Your Classroom
From accounting and finance to supply chain and marketing, employees experience ethical dilemmas in every industry. Faculty members are encouraged to incorporate these ethical dilemmas (and decision-making processes) into classroom activities, discussions, and assignments. Contact the Honor and Integrity Director to discuss your course and opportunities for fostering an ethical mindset among your students.
Plan an Ethical Issues Discussion for Your Work Unit
Teams, offices, and work units are encouraged to identify topics of interest and coordinate an ethical ethics discussion. The discussion could be informal, or it could involve a guest speaker or panel of speakers. Contact the Honor and Integrity Director to meet and share your interests for a discussion.
Recognize an Ethical Leader
- Nominate a faculty member for the RISE Above Faculty Award that honors faculty members for their commitment to advancing Smeal’s goals to promote integrity and ethical behavior. This commitment can be demonstrated by upholding integrity in the classroom, incorporating ethics into course activities, exploring ethical issues in the field, and proposing initiatives for implementation to promote integrity and ethical behavior in the department, college, and/or university.
- Nominate a staff member for the RISE Above Staff Award that honors a staff member who shows ethical awareness and ethical decision-making, and demonstrates an on-going commitment to integrity and ethical behavior.
- Nominate a student for their commitment to integrity through the John M. & Anne B. Stevens Academic Integrity Award given by Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and Stand Up Award given by Penn State’s Rock Ethics Institute.
See Integrity Insights for the latest information about future award opportunities.