The McCombs School of Business has a commitment to honor and ethics. It is apparent to me, judging from comments and inquiries I have received recently, that our students, faculty, staff and alumni believe strongly in these principles as well.

We derive this high standard from the university of which we are a part. Our purpose is to prepare the next generation of individuals who will act responsibly; improve quality of life for themselves and others; and serve the communities in which they live and work. This foundation of ethical behavior is essential to the disciplined culture of excellence that exemplifies our students, our faculty and our alumni.

The undergraduate program takes specific steps to expose each student to these principles and to emphasize their importance.

Every undergraduate student takes BA 101, a course which emphasizes integrity, fair treatment, and honesty, in the context of academic studies, career, and life in general. Topics of discussion include:

• Definition of ethical and moral principles
• The high costs of ethical lapses
• Real life scenarios in business and recruiting
• Ethical Code of Conduct
• Five-Step Decision-Making Process
• The McCombs Recruiting Code of Ethics

Additionally, all students take at least one other course encompassing ethics and leadership. Our students have ample exposure to discussions outside the classroom dealing with responsibility, leadership and integrity, such as the McCombs Leadership Forum, which recently included a very thoughtful discussion on ethical leadership.

An example of how these principles are applied at the school is the BHP Honor Code, adopted by the students, signed by applicants and then re-signed as incoming students:

BHP Honor Code: We, the students of the Business Honors Program (BHP), have adopted this code as an expression of our commitment to ethical standards. We believe honor and trust are essential to a superior academic experience and continued professional success. It is intended to unite us and create an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. Each student must abide by and defend the code.

Therefore we resolve that:

• We will abide by university policies for academic integrity.
• We will neither give nor receive unauthorized aid during completion of academic requirements.
• We will not act to gain any unfair advantage or to cause academic or professional harm to another student.
• We will not misrepresent facts or qualifications at any time.
• We will not purposely obtain or possess property belonging to the university or another student without consent, nor will we deny other students access to university resources.
• We will treat all individuals fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, creed, age, disability, national origin, and sexual orientation.

Those who suspect an honor code violation are asked to report that violation. In addition, student leaders meet with each student organization to reemphasize how these principles apply to daily student life.

We also insist that students follow a written code of ethics in their internship and career endeavors.

Students who access McCombs Career Services make a signed commitment, renewed yearly, to abide with a code of ethics that demands courtesy, respect, honesty and authenticity in every dealing with career services staff, fellow students, recruiters and others. We work closely with recruiters and solicit feedback to ensure students follow these rules. To do otherwise is to violate the trust of this institution and become subject to the consequences of that violation.

The university has processes in place to uphold the standards of student conduct and academic integrity.

Student Judicial Services in the office of the Dean of Students promotes academic integrity, investigates alleged violations of university rules, and implements discipline. The following is from their statement of principles:

Student Judicial Services strives to hold students accountable for their actions and to address all behavioral concerns with students in a manner that fosters self-reflection, a greater awareness of their obligations within the larger communities to which they belong, and a heightened sense of the personal responsibility they have for their choices, the consequences of those choices, and the direction of their lives.

Potential penalties vary, the most serious of which may include suspension, expulsion, denial or revocation of a degree, and/or withdrawal of a diploma. Financial aid may also be affected by a disciplinary penalty.

One final note.

Allow me to emphasize one other principle held at The University of Texas at Austin. We have strict policies about the handling of any issue related to a student. Due to federal law protecting student privacy, we are prohibited from public discussion of any matter related to an individual. I say that not just as an attorney concerned about the law, but as a dean, teacher and mother concerned about fair and equitable treatment of our students.

I hope this statement sufficiently summarizes our commitment to high ethical standards, which have been exemplified throughout the world by more than 90,000 alumni of our school.

Paula Murray
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Program
McCombs School of Business