Forum Three: Institutional Integrity
Faculty and Staff Forum on Accreditation
May 4, 2006
Legacy Hall
Brainstorming Session 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Refreshments and Informal Gathering 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Number of participants: 26
Description of forum: Forum to discuss Institutional Integrity
Forum topic: Standard Nine – Institutional Integrity
Questions: What should we do differently?
What should be kept about the same?
Special challenges?
Session facilitators: Eric Herzik and Mike Havercamp
Agenda
Purpose / Background – Eric Herzik
Ideas – Mike Havercamp
Where do we go from here? – Eric Herzik
Institutional Integrity
Key Words/Phrases
Honest.
Re-evaluation. Best interest of all parties. Ethics.
Follow rules.
Best interest.
Open.
Innovate?
Fair.
Honest.
Manage conflicts of interest.
Honesty. Striving for “best.” Realistic.
Doing your best – not mediocrity. Fair/ respect.
Consider all constituents, stakeholders.
Transparency. Honest communication. Anti-cronyism (fair). Justice.
Commitment to process.
Communicate.
Resisting inappropriate pressure.
Accuracy in reporting. Honesty in dealing with all members of campus community. Equitable treatment.
Consistency.
Clarity.
Openness. Equity.
Moral. Honesty.
Realistic.
"Best Practices" for UNR
Key Words/Phrases
Fewer lawsuits.
Procedures at all levels are clear, open, regular, and consistent.
Open and regular communication and reporting. Established rules that are applied equally to all.
Promotion/merit/tenure reflects advising and teaching.
Hear the bad with the good.
360° review.
People talk about “that” university.
Standards are clearly outlined for all parties (students, instructors, Administration). Consistent follow-up.
turnitin.com
Evaluate. Take responsibility. Team approach. Good service.
Hold decision-makers accountable. Checks on authority – appeal processes. Highly involved work force. Team approach (buy in). Accurate representation of information. Respect for majority opinions. Go to person you have a problem with rather than getting formal.
Have processes that identify and correct mistakes, conflicts of interests, rule violations.
Admit error.
Accept responsibility.
Honest assessment. Temp-taking.
Communication to all.
Seamless experience.
Admit error.
Community comments positive.
Administration informed first.
Alumni and community donate money.
Special Challenges
Key Words/Phrases
Overcoming lack of communication of past administration.
Lack of faculty/staff involvement.
Inconsistency of rules/procedures.
Funding for incentives. Funding for TAs.
True (vs. “faux”). Inclusiveness/open communication.
Challenge: building a first rate (or “next-level”) research and teaching program without continuing to exploit low-paid teachers.
Communication/understanding both sides.
Addressing pigeonholing. Issues should be addressed, not ignored. Developing a climate of open, honest, communication. Enhancing integrity by enhancing the culture of integrity.
Higher expectations of Administrator regarding ethics. Lack of integrity happens because we tolerate it.
Don’t trade off integrity for other qualities.
Educating constituents.
Follow-up – don’t just talk about it.
“Leadership.”
Challenges: cynicism, answer will change, administrator will leave. Communication. Hobby-houses, narrow vision. Faculty, etc. too busy. Policies perceived as busy work.
Challenges: inertia. Lack of awareness. Easy to “talk” but harder to “walk the talk.” Leadership – needs to be visionary. Fear of loss – punitive students, chairs, etc.
Academic honesty – the Board.
Number of temporary faculty and emphasis on student evals.
Funding.
Adding implementation to planning/ assessment cycle.
Achieving integrity without having the opening position be that everyone lacks integrity.
Overcoming fear of change.
Turn-over – maintaining consistency and fairness in times of rapid change.
Goals of the various “branches” of the university (enrollment, st. serv., teaching standards) need to be in harmony rather than in competition.
Photographs from the session...
