BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE

Module 5 : Academic Ethics and Integrity

Proper Decorum or Polite Behavior, and Etiquette or Polite
Conduct in Government and Private sector

Module Description

This module is all about the academic ethics and integrity, and also includes the
proper decorum or polite behavior, and etiquette or polite conduct in government and
private sector.

Learning Objectives

After studying this module, the student should be able to:

1. Define and discuss academic ethics;
2. Determine and evaluate the importance of academic ethics;
3. Enhance academic ethics and integrity;
4. Evaluate the rights and responsibilities of the students in academic ethics;
5. Understand and analyze the proper decorum and etiquette conduct; and,
6. Apply in life the proper decorum and etiquette conduct.

Read Me!
Academic ethics defined

Academic ethics are the moral codes or the shared standards of an academic
enterprise and the core of its success (Occidental College, 2016).

Basically, academic ethics require each student, to be honest, responsible, fair,

respectful, give credit where it is due, turn in their original work, and etc. (Michigan
State University, n.d.).

Academic integrity requires students to do their own work without unauthorized

help from others, cheating, lying, plagiarizing, and stealing (Valdosta State University,
2016).

Academic integrity is important because it shows that the student is trustworthy and
honest enough to do his or her own work, whether someone is looking or not. “Learning
how to express original ideas, cite sources, work independently, and report results
accurately and honestly are skills that carry students beyond their academic careers”
(Michigan State University, n.d., para. 2).

Academic integrity is the moral code of academics. This code opposes plagiarism,
dishonesty and cheating.

Plagiarism
- is intentionally or unintentionally using someone else’s words or thoughts, without
giving proper credit.

Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards 1

Ria B. Lucero, Ph.D., JD.
 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE

Cheating
-is attempting to present as one’s own, work that one has not performed, or using
improper means to pass an examination.

Other violations may include:

1. Failure to follow any other explicit regulation or expectation announced by the
instructor, and/or circulated to each student, is a violation of the Academic Ethics Policy.
It is the responsibility of the student to confer with an instructor when procedures are
unclear.

2. It is a violation of the Academic Ethics Policy to falsify a signature on any official

College document.

3. It is a violation of the Academic Ethics Policy to alter the contents and/or intent of any
official College document.

4. It is a violation of the Academic Ethics Policy to intentionally or knowingly help or

attempt to help another to violate any provision of this policy.

Rights and Responsibilities

@ Student Rights
* Students have the right to be treated fairly, impartially and promptly in matters
related to Academic Ethics.

* If a student disagrees with a faculty member’s actions under the Academic Ethics
Policy, and is unable to arrive at a satisfactory resolution in discussions with that faculty
member, she has the right to request in writing a hearing before the Academic Ethics
Council. Procedures for Academic Ethics Council hearings are available from the offices
of Academic Affairs and the Registrar.

@ Student Responsibilities
* Students must sign a statement during registration indicating that they have read,
understand and will abide by the Academic Ethics Policy.

* Students have the responsibility to adhere to appropriate rules of documentation.

* Students have the responsibility to notify an instructor of any knowledge of

suspected academic dishonesty and are responsible for informing a faculty member or an
academic administrator of alleged violations.

@ Faculty Responsibilities

- Faculty must enforce the regulations and procedures in the Academic Ethics Policy,
and take appropriate action in case of violations.

Etiquette

Refers to good manners required by an individual to find a place in the society and
gain respect and appreciation from others.

Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards 2

Ria B. Lucero, Ph.D., JD.
 BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE

It is the customary code of social behaviour or rather, a system of accepted rules,

conventions, and norms governing polite behaviour and interactions among society. It
also includes the set of norms and ethics governing the behaviour of professional
bodies such as the medical and/or legal profession.

Need for Etiquette

 Etiquette makes you a cultured individual who leaves his mark wherever he
goes.

 Etiquette teaches you the way to talk, walk and most importantly behave in the
society.

 Etiquette is essential for an everlasting first impression. The way you interact
with your superiors, parents, fellow workers, friends speak a lot about your
personality and up- bringing.

 Etiquette enables the individuals to earn respect and appreciation in the

society. No one would feel like talking to a person who does not know how to
speak or behave in the society. Etiquette inculcates a feeling of trust and
loyalty in the individuals. One becomes more responsible and mature.
Etiquette helps individuals to value relationships.

Employee Etiquette
- refers to codes of conduct an individual should follow while at work.

Such as:
♥ Respect your organization to expect the same in return. Don’t treat your
organization as a mere source of earning money. Remember your organization is
paying you for your hard work and not for gossiping and loitering around.

♥ Reach office on time.

♥ Leave all your personal problems out the moment you step in the office. It is
unprofessional to mix personal and professional life. Keep them separate.

♥ Greet your fellow workers with a smile.

♥ Follow the professional dress code.

♥ Never ever enter office under the influence of alcohol. It is an offence.

♥ As a responsible employee you have no rights to share confidential information

with any of the external parties under any circumstances.

♥ Keep your cell phones in the silent mode to avoid disturbing others sitting around
you.
♥ Keep your workstation free of unwanted documents and files. Avoid having lunch
at your desk.

Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards 3

Ria B. Lucero, Ph.D., JD.
BATAAN HEROES COLLEGE

♥ Learn to own your mistakes. Stick to your statements.

♥ While communicating through emails, make sure your boss is in the loop. It is
foolish to hide things from him.

♥ Respect your fellow workers. Help them whenever required. Never give them
wrong suggestions.

♥ Treat all your fellow workers as one irrespective of their education and designation
in the organization.

♥ Never take undue advantage of your position. Do not ask for personal favors from
your subordinates. Too much of friendship at the workplace is bad.

♥ Respect each others privacy.

♥ Stay away from controversies.

Employer Etiquette

It refers to codes of conduct necessary for an employer to follow in order to set an

example for employees. Employers must behave in an appropriate way for the
employees to respect them and look up to them.

Some employer etiquette:

♥ Respect your employees.
♥ Avoid being partial towards anyone.
♥ Do not ask for special favors from any of your employees.
♥ Help your employees whenever required.
♥ Never encourage nasty politics at the workplace.
♥ Motivate your employees.
♥ Give the employees their due credit.
♥ Be realistic.
♥ Must lend a sympathetic ear to the employees’ grievances.
♥ Make yourself available to your employees.
♥ Be friendly with your employees. The Hitler approach does not work now a
days.

♥ Remember respect is always earned and never demanded. Speak politely and
dress smartly. Set trends for others to follow.

Answer Me!
1. Explain the concept of academic ethics.
2. Cite two (2) examples on how to apply academic ethics.
3. Define etiquette and discuss its concept.
4. Cite three (3) examples of etiquette.

Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards 4

Ria B. Lucero, Ph.D., JD.