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?

University-wide efforts encourage ethical conduct and compliance with legal obligations through heightened awareness, enhanced monitoring, and effective response to compliance risks. 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

System Regulation 16.01.01 System Ethics and Compliance Program

. . . 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 Financial Conflict of Interest in Research

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

University Rule 08.01.01.M1 Civil Rights Compliance

University SAP 08.01.01.M1.02 Investigation and Resolution of Complaints against Faculty Members for Illegal Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, or Related Retaliation Charges

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

System Policy 33.04 Use of System Resources

System Regulation 33.04.01 Use of System Resources for External Employment

University Rule 29.01.99.M3 Incidental Computer Use

University SAP 25.99.08.M0.02 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.)

You may also report wrongdoing to the Texas State Auditor’s Office:

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

Contact the most appropriate administrator from among the following:

Academic Integrity Issues (Graduate and Undergraduate)
Mr. Timothy C. Powers
Director, Aggie Honor System
(979) 458-3378
aggiehonor@tamu.edu

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

Graduate Student Issues
Dr. Susan Bloomfield
Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies
(979) 845-3631
sbloom@tamu.edu

Faculty Issues
Dr. Michael J. Benedik
Interim Dean of Faculties and Associate Provost
(979) 845-4274
benedik@tamu.edu

Staff Issues
Ms. Deena J. McConnell, J.D.
Associate Vice President for Administration & Academic Affairs
(979) 845-4016
djm@tamu.edu