Guiding Principles for
Student Choices:
Responsibility, Values
& Ethics
Christine Reed Davis
Senior Associate Dean of Students/
Director of Student Conduct & Outreach
UNC Charlotte
Why (I think) this is an
important session…
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It will provide you with some guiding policies
and principles for your career here at UNC
Charlotte – and hopefully beyond!
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It will challenge you to think about the reasons
behind how and why you make choices
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It will arm you with some mental tools to help
you make good decisions in difficult situations
Policies that Guide ALL
UNC Charlotte Students
Code of Academic Integrity
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governs student behavior relating to academic work
outlines your rights in an academic integrity case
Code of Student Responsibility
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governs non-academic student behavior
protects the campus community in an effort to maintain an
environment conducive to learning
outlines your rights within the conduct process
It is your responsibility to know, understand &
uphold these policies!
Other Policies…
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FERPA & Parental notification
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Residence Life policies (for those who live
on campus)
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Parking Regulations
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Class Syllabi
UNC Charlotte ~ Noble Niner
Making Sound Decisions &
Refining Your Values
Behaviorally
Academically
In Relationships
Other…
Yes, these are REAL students…
DEFINITIONS
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Values = What you believe in, standards by which
you make decisions; usually self imposed
Top 5 Personal Values
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Ethics = A set of morals or values. Standards by
which to judge our actions, right and wrong; often
imposed by external forces
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Integrity = Saying what you mean and doing what
you say. How you act when no one is looking.
Why Good People Make Bad Decisions
~ Rationalizations ~
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Everybody’s doing it!
It’s always been done this way, it’s tradition.
To be the best, I have to do this.
I want to fit in…it’s cool!
Other people want me to do this.
Nobody will find out (I hope)
…IT TAKES COURAGE TO DO THE
RIGHT THING!
Exercise Your Imagination…
What are some of the ethical decisions
you have faced at UNC Charlotte?
What ethical decision might you face
beyond UNC Charlotte?
Theory of Ethical Principles –
Karen Kitchener
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Respect Autonomy – freedom to choose, freedom to act and
allowing the same right in others
Benefit Others – the obligation to make a positive
contribution to another’s welfare; balancing the potential
harm against potential good
Be Just – treating all people fairly and impartially; being
equitable
Be Faithful – keeping promises, being loyal and telling the
truth
Do No Harm –not causing physical or psychological harm to
another person, or putting someone at risk of harm
There is no right way to do a wrong thing:
“Ethics Check” Questions
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Is it legal? Will you be breaking any laws or policies?
Are you being responsible?
What are the possible consequences of your choice?
If you were on the receiving end, would these
consequences be acceptable to you?
Does your choice make you proud?
Would you want this on the front page of the
newspaper, or on the 6 o’clock news?
Would it be okay if others did the same to you?
Would someone you care about approve of the
choice?
Guiding Principles for Making
Ethical Decisions
MENTOR = following the example of a person who is experienced, sensitive,
and morally good.
GOLDEN RULE = behaving towards others as you would like them to behave
towards you.
CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE = asking yourself: Would you want
everyone to act on the same rule you would be following, if you acted in a
particular way? Imagining a world where everyone would have to act as you
are thinking of acting.
GREATEST HAPPINESS PRINCIPLE = considering whether the action will
produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people?
Where Do You Draw the Line?
Why have you choosen where you stand?
What values did you take into
consideration when making your choice?
What external forces did you consider?
Closing Thought…
“It’s Okay, Son,
Everybody Does It”
By Jack Griffin, of the Chicago Sun-Times