DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS
 Professional Staff Ethics

Staff involved in the provision of services to students must maintain the highest standard of ethical behavior.  Certain ethical obligations apply to all individuals employed in student service and development programs.  Among them are the following:

 All staff members must ensure that confidentiality is maintained with respect to communications and records considered confidential.

 All staff members must ensure that students are provided access to services on a fair and equitable basis.

 All staff must support, in word and deed, the diversity statement of the Department of Residential Programs.

 All staff members must avoid any personal conflict of interest so that they deal objectively and fairly with persons within and outside the institution.  In many cases, the appearance of a conflict of interest can be as damaging as an actual conflict.

 When handling funds, all staff members must ensure that such funds are handled in accordance with established and responsible accounting procedures.

 Staff members must not participate in any form of sexual harassment.  Sexual harassment is defined as including: sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, as well as other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

 Staff members must not engage in any type of romantic or intimate relationship with anyone they directly supervise or with students who reside in their building.

 Staff members must be aware that any relationship that they have with staff or students may be construed as sexual harassment.

 Staff members are expected to uphold and enforce Federal and State laws and campus regulations.  Specifically, staff members must not serve or distribute alcohol to those below the legal purchase age, on or off campus.

 Staff members should have a clear understanding as to where their supervisory and personal relationships begin and end with their staff and residents.  It is the staff member's  responsibility to clearly communicate these parameters to students and staff.

 Staff must be sensitive and realize the negative impact an untimely resignation has on both resident students and their colleagues.  Staff members are requested to give adequate notification when they wish to vacate their positions and are urged to make commitments to fulfill their obligations until the conclusion of the academic year.

 Since staff live and/or work on the campus twelve months per year there are some campus regulations that do not pertain to them.

 a. Staff may have microwaves and other appliances as well as air conditioners in their apartments or offices.  Air conditioners must be installed by Residential Operations.

 b. Staff may host guests without having to register them according to the procedures outlined in the Student Conduct Code.  Staff members must realize, however, that they are responsible for the actions of their guests.  A staff member hosting a guest for either a short duration (less than a week) or an extended stay (a week or more) must inform his/her supervisor that this guest will be present.  Supervisors reserve the right to request that a guest vacate the premises, in the event that s/he is violating campus policies and/or poses a safety or health risk.  Guests staying in an apartment when the staff member is not present must be registered in writing with the supervisor.

 All other campus regulations apply to professional staff.  The following warrant specific mention:

 a. Staff must abide by the campus regulations as they are written for pets, waterbeds, noise and alcohol.

 b. Staff must use State property in a responsible and legal manner.  Staff are not permitted to rent space, use office telephones, computes or official department stationary for personal use, nor are they permitted to operate a personal business out of state property (eg. sales out of an office or apartment).

 Employees may not engage in activities which interfere with the performance of their professional obligation.  Staff must recognize that there is increasing pressure to provide a reasonable accounting of the professional activities of full-time employees.  It is sometimes necessary to place limits on the amount of time devoted to outside interests (eg. employment, coursework, internships, etc.).  Staff must consult with their direct supervisor before engaging in these activities.  The following parameters have been established to serve as guidelines in determining time commitments beyond one's professional obligation:

 a. First semester (at Stony Brook) employees may not take any classes or engage in any outside employment.  Any first semester staff wishing to participate in an internship within the University, must have the approval of both their direct supervisor and the Associate Director of Residential Programs.

 b. Staff, during their second semester (at Stony Brook) may either take a maximum of three credits or engage in activities (additional employment, internships, etc.) which do not exceed 10 hours per week.

 c. Staff with more than two semesters of professional experience (at Stony Brook) may either enroll for a maximum of six credits per semester or participate in activities which do not exceed 10 hours per week.

 If involvement in these outside interests interferes with one's primary obligations (eg. availability, visibility, meeting deadlines, etc.) the staff member will be asked to either reduce the amount of time devoted to or cease their participation in the outside activity.
 
 

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