November 3, 2022

Columbus State University and the University System of Georgia (USG) are committed to the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct in pursuit of its mission to create knowledge. Accomplishing this mission demands integrity, good judgment and dedication to public service from all members of the CSU community. Annually, CSU and the USG highlight this commitment through Ethics Awareness Week, which this year begins on Monday, Nov. 7. Programs throughout the week will remind faculty, staff, students and the broader community of the university’s commitment to an ethical culture and its shared ethical values and expectations.

Ethics Awareness Week is part of a comprehensive Ethics and Compliance Program for all USG employees. This program includes a system-level Ethics Policy and Code of Conduct, on-board ethics training, periodic ethics refresher training and compliance audits.

In addition to the employee-focused programs, CSU will be hosting community events to build upon its ethics programming by promoting activities related to our system-wide shared core values of integrity, excellence, accountability and respect.

“We are excited about the opportunity to educate our students, faculty, staff and the CSU community on our collective role in upholding the highest standards of ethical and lawful conduct in academic and business activities and why those efforts are critically important,” said Craig Burgess, who as CSU’s general counsel is leading Ethics Awareness Week efforts at the university.

Activities planned by Burgess and other professionals in conjunction with CSU’s Office of Legal Affairs, Ethics and Compliance will bring awareness to ethics, reinforce the principles of recognizing the hard work of employees, and promote our shared values of stewardship, prevention, integrity, responsibility, inspiration and trust.

Campus and community activities planned for the week include:

Monday, Nov. 7: Ethics and Why It Matters: An in-depth look into how ethics impact our roles as university officials, 10:00 am - 10:45 a.m., Synovus Center for Commerce and Technology Auditorium, Main Campus

• Promoting a Culture of Excellence: A virtual chat between USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue and Chick Fil A Chairman, Dan Cathy. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. To join virtual chat.
• The Ethics of Recruiting and Retaining Students: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Synovus Center for Commerce and Technology Auditorium, Main Campus

Tuesday, Nov. 8: "Why it Matters" Session, Conquering Contracts: Top 10 ways to turbocharge the contract process, 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. 

• The Ethics of Fundraising and Community Outreach: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Synovus Center for Commerce and Technology Auditorium, Main Campus

Wednesday, Nov 9: “Why it Matters” Session, Delegation of Authority: A look into the president of CSU’s new comprehensive delegation of authority policy, 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m., Virtual Session

Thursday, Nov. 10: “Why it Matters” Session: Title IX - Pregnancy and Parenting: Best practices for working with students that are expecting, 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m., Virtual Session

• Steering an Ethical Culture: A USG virtual panel discussion, 11:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.,  To register for discussion. 
• Can’t Believe They Let Them Speak on Campus: Astudent-led discussion about the role of the First Amendment, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Davidson Center Auditorium, Main Campus

Friday, Nov. 11: “Why it Matters Session: Campus Security: A discussion on the responsibilities of the Clery Act, 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m., Virtual Session

• Ask and You Shall Receive: Get the answers to your legal, compliance, ethics and information security-related questions from members of the Legal Affairs, Ethics & Compliance Team, Noon - 1:00 p.m., Schuster Student Success Center, Room 130, Main Campus

For links to the virtual sessions and details on activities and panels, visit https://www.columbusstate.edu/legal-affairs/ethics/awareness-week.php.

As part of its commitment to ethical practices, Columbus State University offers members of the university, business and surrounding communities multiple ways to report possible fraudulent activity through its Ethics and Compliance Reporting Hotline—a confidential, independent service provided by a third-party vendor. Furthermore, employees may submit reports anonymously online or call 877-516-3424, toll free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for concerns or suggestions for improvement related to CSU or any other institution in the University System of Georgia.