Code of ethics
The new code of ethics guides the coexistence of the university community and relations with society
The new Code of Ethics, approved by the Senate in July 2020, is a document that guides the coexistence of the university community and relations with society and the territory. It responds to the URV's social commitment and updates the principles recognized in the Statute; it must guide the conduct and good practices of the university community, and define the management of the ethical quality of the University. It is based on ten principles: good governance, social commitment, well-being and health, equity in diversity, gender equality, integrity, academic freedom, respect, solidarity, and sustainability.
The Code of Ethics has been the result of the work of a technical committee and a committee of members of the Senate and the participation process of the university community, which has made a total of 116 contributions. This is a general code, which is specified in the regulations that the institution already has, such as plagiarism regulations or the Code of Ethics for research. It is not sanctioning, but it is inspiring behaviour, explained the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Relations, Culture and Social Commitment, Cori Camps; therefore, it does not detail specific behaviours or hierarchize the values or principles that govern it. It incorporates an ethical channel, where the university community can send suggestions for improvement and suggestions.
Social engagement
The URV must promote social transformation locally and globally by generating and transmitting knowledge, cultural development and training for individuals who possess a critical and reflective spirit and who are committed to democratic values, humanity and solidarity.
Welfare and health
The URV is committed to looking after individuals and fostering the conditions needed to promote a healthy and fulfilling quality of life for the whole university community. The URV must encourage people to look after themselves and each other by promoting socio-emotional feelings of prosperity, happiness and satisfaction.ó.
Equality in Diversity
The URV must recognise the dignity of all individuals and will strive to ensure diversity and equal opportunities in a framework of democratic coexistence. No member of the university community may be discriminated against on the grounds of their origins, gender, sexual orientation, identity and gender expression, beliefs, religion, socioeconomic status, language, ideology or any other personal or social circumstance. The University will guarantee inclusion both in terms of accessibility and in its measures to adapt the curriculum or place of work.
Gender Equality
The URV will ensure that women and men have the same opportunities for personal development and to participate in the university community life. For this reason, the conduct, aspirations and needs of each person must given equal consideration and value.
Integrity
The URV must strive to ensure that all members of the university community act with integrity, that is, by acting with honesty and truthfully and establishing secure bonds based on trust and honour.
Academic freedom
The URV must promote critical and free thinking based on academic freedom, understood as the right of teaching staff and students to freely disseminate their thoughts, ideas and opinions when teaching and studying, and the freedom to carry out research whilst maintaining scientific and ethical rigour.
Respect
The URV must strive to ensure that people are treated fairly by showing respect for their opinions and positions, and it must use dialogue, debate and constructive criticism to maintain civic and peaceful coexistence. Such respectful treatment must also be shown in all spoken and written communications. Respect implies the rejection of any manifestation of violence against individuals, biodiversity or physical or intangible heritage.
Solidarity
The URV must encourage the whole university community to engage in social activities, in particular by promoting volunteering and cooperation with people, communities and institutions and by helping to empower people to achieve a fulfilling existence, sustainable development and peace, in particular among the most vulnerability sectors of society.
Sustainability
The URV will promote a balance between social, cultural, economic and environmental development to satisfy the needs of the university community and of society, without compromising those of future generations and whilst striving to ensure quality of life and well being for individuals and for other living things and ecosystems.
Good governance
The URV will promote improvements to the governance and management of the institution that serve the general interest, the participation of the university community in decision making and the development of initiatives and changes that improve the ambits in which it operates in the future. It must also ensure that it operates with transparency, accountability, impartiality, efficacy and consistency when taking decisions and it must ensure data privacy.
