As members of the USG community, we are each charged with the appropriate management of the resources and information available and entrusted to us.  University system property is intended only for use in support of the USG's mission and legitimate public purposes and shouldn't be used for personal gain or interests.

Computer security and privacy are subject to laws and USG policy.  While there is no expectation of privacy on a government system, there is an expectation that we safeguard data protected by law, regulation, or contract such as FERPA or health data.

Integrity and accuracy are required of all documents and records relative to vacation or sick leave and all other forms of leave.

In fostering a culture of compliance, we are all personally responsible for maintaining the highest of ethical standards by staying informed and vigilant.

All members of the USG community engaged in research are expected to do so in accordance with institutional, governmental, and professional standards while upholding the highest standards of integrity, intellectual honesty, and scholarship. Unacceptable violations of research integrity include, but are not limited to:

• Plagiarism
• Falsification of data
• Fabrication of research data

As an employee within the university system, your compliance with all laws, rules, and regulations governing USG institutions is both a legal and an ethical obligation. The risks associated with non-compliance can have serious implications for the University System as well as personal consequences for the individual employee. Significant risks include:

• Loss of reputation
• Loss of external funding
• Financial penalties
• Loss of accreditation
• Potential criminal prosecution

The failure to comply with any applicable laws, rules, and regulations may result in disciplinary action. Members of the USG community are expected to:

• Comply with athletic conference and association rules
• Make certain that requests for reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the USG are accurate and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations
• Reimbursements must be accurate and in accordance with laws and regulations
• Understand that submission of false or misleading expense reimbursement documents subjects the individual submitting these documents to the risks of termination of employment or contractual relationship as well as criminal prosecution.
• False expense documents can lead to termination as well as criminal prosecution

All employees who are associated with the production of intellectual property must adhere to both USG policies and the policies of your specific institution governing intellectual property. For those who use software licensed to the USG or a USG institution, you are expected to abide by applicable software license agreements and may copy licensed software only as permitted by the license.

The USG Statement of Core Values emphasizes the “inherent dignity and rights of every person and ... our resulting responsibility to treat each person with fairness, compassion, and decency.” As such, any form of discrimination or harassment is inconsistent with USG core values. Additionally, discrimination on the grounds of race, color, gender, religion, creed, national origin, age, disability, and status as a veteran is specifically prohibited by state law and BOR policy.

Sexual harassment of members of the USG community or students in the USG is prohibited and shall subject the offender to dismissal or other sanctions after compliance with procedural due process requirements. Unwelcome sexual advancements, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment.

As a USG employee, you must not under any circumstances directly or indirectly solicit, receive, accept, or agree to receive any gift or thing of value with the reasonable belief that the receipt of the gift or thing of value will influence your decision making, performance, or failure to perform any official action. Be aware that the acceptance of a benefit, reward, or consideration where the purpose of the gift is to influence a USG employee in the performance of his or her official functions is a felony under state law.