Ethics - Texas A&M University Code of Conduct
Aggie Honor Code

As members of the Aggie Community - whether as students, faculty or staff - we aspire to excellence in all that we do. One of the simplest and most straightforward ways to attain excellence is to judge our actions against the Aggie Code of Honor: An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do. With this as our standard, we pursue excellence in Texas and around the world.

What is the Aggie Code of Honor?

“An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.”

The Aggie Code of Honor affirms values that apply to students, faculty and staff alike. This simple statement exemplifies two of our core values—excellence and integrity—and underscores our commitment to ethical conduct and compliance with laws and official policies. These core values forge a strong base to embrace our other core values of leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service.

How does Texas A&M strengthen compliance?

Coordinated and collaborative University-wide efforts strengthen compliance through heightened awareness, enhanced monitoring, and effective response to improve compliance issues. The key message is that individuals are responsible for ethical conduct and compliance in conducting daily activities.

Research and Athletics have separate compliance functions.

How can I learn more about ethics and ethical conduct?

All new employees must receive ethics training within 30 days of hire, and all current employees must retake the ethics training every two years in accordance with System Regulation 33.05.02 Required Employee Training. A Student Conduct Code is included in the Student Rules.

Where can I find policies (not all inclusive) related to . . .

. . . ethics and ethical conduct?

System Policy 07.01 Ethics Policy

. . . waste, fraud, abuse and corruption?

System Policy 21.04 Control of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

. . . academic and research programs?

University Rule 12.01.99.M2 University Statement on Academic Freedom, Responsibility, Tenure, and Promotion

System Regulation 15.01.03 Conflict of Interest in the Design, Conduct and Reporting of Sponsored Research and Educational Activities

University Rule 15.01.03.M1 Rules on Conflicts of Interest in the Design, Conduct, and Reporting of Sponsored Research

University Rule 15.99.03.M1 Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship

System Policy 17.01 Intellectual Property Management and Commercialization

. . . compensation and employment issues?

System Policy 31.05 External Employment and Expert Witness

System Regulation 31.05.01 Faculty Consulting, External Employment and Conflicts of Interest

System Regulation 31.05.02 External Employment

System Policy 33.03 Nepotism

System Regulation 33.99.07 Internal Faculty Consulting and Professional Services

System Regulation 33.99.14 Criminal History Record Information-Employees and Applicants

. . . the use of property and services associated with Texas A&M and the A&M System?

System Policy 33.04 Use of System Property

System Regulation 33.04.01 Use of System Resources for External Employment

University Rule 33.04.99.M3 Incidental Computer Use

University Rule 25.99.08.M1 Non-business Use of Telephones and Fax Machines

What should I do to report wrongdoing?

Go to the EthicsPoint website, where you can submit a written report or find the appropriate toll-free telephone number.

EthicsPoint is hosted on its own secure servers, which are not part of the Texas A&M website or intranet.

I have a question about ethics. What should I do?

Contact the most appropriate administrator from among the following:

Undergraduate Students/Academic Issues
Mr. Matt Fry, J.D.
Director, Aggie Honor System
(979) 458-3378
aggiehonor@tamu.edu

General Student Issues
Dr. David W. Parrott
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
(979) 845-4728
davep@tamu.edu

Graduate Student Issues
Dr. David J. Wentling
Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies and Ombudsperson
(979) 845-3631
david-j-wentling@tamu.edu

Faculty Issues
Dr. Antonio Cepeda-Benito
Dean of Faculties and Associate Provost
(979) 845-4274
acb@tamu.edu

Staff Issues
Ms. Terry Spang
Assistant Provost for Finance and Administration
(979) 845-4016
spang@tamu.edu