University of Virginia Library

aaup guards
faculty ethics

—ed.

Although it is news to many
students, the student honor
system has a professorial counterpart
at the University. The
American Association of University
professors, a relatively
unknown organization that
claims the allegiance of about
one quarter of the faculty,
provides for the enforcement
of high ethical standards for
administrative and faculty
members.

John F. Leahy, professor in
the Education School and
president of the University's
chapter of the AAUP, emphasizes
that "Honor is not a
one-way street applicable only
to students. Professorial ethics
rank high in importance to the
Association."

The professor, guided by
a deep conviction of the worth
and dignity of the advancement

of knowledge, recognizes
the special responsibilities
placed upon him. He accepts
the obligation to exercise
critical self-discipline and judgment
in using, extending, and
transmitting knowledge. He
practices intellectual honesty.
Although he may follow subsidiary
interests, these interests
must never seriously hamper or
compromise his freedom of
inquiry.

The degree of importance is
shown by the rank of the
Association's Committee on
Ethics. Ranked by letter from
the beginning of the alphabet,
Committee B: Professional
Ethics is second only to Committee
A: Academic Freedom
and Tenure. "Actually, the two
are almost if not completely of
equal rank," said Mr. Leahy.
The Chairman of the University
chapter's ethics committee,
Dr. Lawrence Cranberg
of the Physics Department,
sees his committee's task as

educational rather than judicial.
"We are primarily involved
in letting people know
what is good ethical practice."

If an instance of suspected
unethical practice were to
arise, and only one has in the
two-year history of the local
committee, the Association
would first support local action
to rectify the problem.

However, if local action is
impossible or there is a need
for a more objective inquiry,
the AAUP sends an
investigative team to prepare a
definitive study and make
recommendations toward
solving the matter.

As a teacher, the professor
encourages the free pursuit
of learning in his students.
He holds before them the best
scholarly standards of his discipline.
He demonstrates respect
for the student as an individual,
and adheres to his proper
role as intellectual guide and
counselor.

The AAUP deals not only
with individuals but with entire
college administrations. Each
issue of the AAUP's quarterly
bulletin contains a list of
college administrations that
have dealt in an unethical or
improper manner with students
or faculty members. "Institutions
do not like to remain
on our censure list for long,"
said Dr. Cranberg, "because it
usually makes it rather difficult
for them to obtain new faculty
members. Members of the
Association have often considered
it their duty to refrain
from seeking employment at
those institutions."

He makes every
reasonable effort to foster
honest academic conduct and
to assure that his evaluation of
students reflects their true
merit. He respects the confidential
nature of the relationship
between professor and
student. He avoids any exploitation
of students for his
private advantage and
acknowledges significant assistance
from them. He protects
their academic freedom.

The AAUP will also hear
and act on complaints from
students. "We probably would
not respond to one unsubstantiated
complaint but if a
number of students came to us
we would seriously look into
their problem," said Mr. Cranberg.