Guidelines for Classroom Civility and Respect

An Environment of Academic Freedom

The University of Massachusetts Amherst strives to create an environment of academic freedom that fosters the personal and intellectual development of all community members. To do this, the University protects the rights of all students, faculty, and staff to explore new ideas and to express their views. A necessary condition for these pursuits is an acceptance of the spirit of inquiry and a respect for diverse ideas and viewpoints. For true academic freedom to exist, this acceptance and respect must exist in both the overall campus environment and in the classroom.

The University preserves a high standard for community members in terms of mutual respect and civility. While each member of the community holds several rights, privileges, and responsibilities, those individuals who disrespect the rights of others or who act in a way that discredits themselves or the University may forfeit privileges or receive sanctions. As members of an academic community, we are obligated to be exemplary, both in our behaviors and in our attitudes. This obligation is especially important within the classroom context since this is one of the primary ways that learning, and growth, are fostered.

Student Code of Conduct

Learning and the exchange of ideas may take place in many settings, including the formal classroom. When students and faculty come together, the expectation is always that mutual respect will prevail to ensure that every student has the optimum opportunity to learn and that each faculty member has the best opportunity to teach.

It is the expectation of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing that ALL students enrolled in graduate level courses be respectful of others when interacting with faculty, staff, and colleagues, in the classroom, online, and while representing the College of Nursing in clinical settings.

The College of Nursing follows the University code of conduct for students. The code of conduct may be found here: https://www.umass.edu/dean_students/codeofconduct

Differences of opinions or concerns related to the class are welcomed if presented in a mutually respectful manner. The challenging of viewpoints is part of the academic experience but should occur in a manner that promotes dialogue and embodies anti-racist, gender-affirming, accessible, and emancipatory nursing praxis.

Guidelines for Classroom Civility and Respect: https://www.umass.edu/dean_students/campus-policies/classroom 

Academic Honesty Statement

Since the integrity of the academic enterprise of any institution of higher education requires honesty in scholarship and research, academic honesty is required of all students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating dishonesty. Appropriate sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty. Instructors should take reasonable steps to address academic misconduct. Anyone who believes a student has committed academic dishonesty should bring such information to the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. Instances of academic dishonesty not related to a specific course should be brought to the attention of the appropriate department head or chair. Since students are expected to be familiar with this policy and the commonly accepted standards of academic integrity, ignorance of such standards is not normally sufficient evidence of lack of intent. (http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/codeofconduct/acadhonesty/)

University Academic Honesty Policy

It is the expressed policy of the University that every aspect of graduate academic life, related in whatever fashion to the University, shall be conducted in an absolutely and uncompromisingly honest manner by graduate students. The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing abides by the University Academic Honesty Policy (https://www.umass.edu/honesty/). A student identified by an instructor, or another student as having committed a breach of the academic honesty regulations has the right to appeal before any penalty can be imposed. Do not share papers or other work done in previous classes with other students in your program, as this is a violation of the academic honesty code. Students are required to follow the guidelines of the American Psychological Association Publication Manual 7th edition guidelines for citation of works in their assignments. Appeals must be filed within ten days of notification by the instructor who suspects dishonesty. Information on the appeal process can be found in the Academic Honesty Policy or requested from the Ombuds Office, where appeals are filed.

The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics

The College of Nursing abides by and adheres to the Code of Ethics for Nurses and the ANA Nursing Standards, which are set forth by the American Nurses Association as it relates to the professional conduct of nurses. The full code and interpretative statements can be viewed, read, and purchased at: http://www.nursingworld.org/codeofethics

The Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (The Code) was developed as a guide for carrying out nursing responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality in nursing care and the ethical obligations of the profession.

Provisions of the Code of Ethics

1.  The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person.
2. The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.
3. The nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient.
4. The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes decisions; and takes action consistent with the obligation to provide optimal patient care.
5. The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to promote health and safety, preserve wholeness of character and integrity, maintain competence, and continue personal and professional growth.
6. The nurse, through individual and collective effort, establishes, maintains, and improves the ethical environment of the work setting and conditions of employment that are conducive to safe, quality health care.
7. The nurse, in all roles and settings, advances the profession through research and scholarly inquiry, professional standards development, and the generation of both nursing and health policy.
8. The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public to protect human rights, promote health diplomacy, and reduce health disparities.
9. The profession of nursing, collectively through its professional organizations, must articulate nursing values, maintain the integrity of the profession, and integrate principles of social justice into nursing and health policy.

Source: American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretative statements. Silver Spring, MD: Author. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/code-of-ethics-for-nurses/

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