This policy defines the expectation of Iowa State University Foundation employees to conduct business in an ethical manner. The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Statement of Ethics is included in this policy as it is adopted by the fundraising industry.
The ISU Foundation’s mission is to secure and manage gifts to benefit Iowa State University. Our employees play a key role in assuring that high standards of ethical practice are adhered to in the management and use of financial resources. The ISU Foundation embraces the principles in this code, and expects that our employees will adhere to and advocate these principles in their personal and professional conduct. The principles embody rules regarding individual and peer responsibilities, as well as responsibilities to the ISU Foundation, Iowa State University, donors, the public, and other stakeholders.
Iowa State University Foundation employees will:
- Promote honesty and integrity in both actions and words.
- Avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest in personal and professional relationships and if in doubt, seek guidance from the appropriate source.
- Achieve responsible use of and control over all assets and resources employed or entrusted.
- Provide constituents with information that is accurate, complete, objective, relevant, timely, and understandable.
- Act in good faith, responsibly, with due care, competence, and diligence, without misrepresenting materials, facts or allowing one’s independent judgment to be subordinated.
- Comply with the letter and intent of applicable rules and regulations of federal, state, provincial, and local governments, and other appropriate private and public regulatory agencies.
- Safeguard privacy rights and respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of one’s work. Privileged or confidential information acquired in the course of one’s work will not be used for personal advantage or disclosed to unauthorized parties.
- Improve and share professional knowledge and skills, so that performance will better serve constituents.
- Proactively promote ethical behavior as a responsible partner among peers, in the work environment and the community.
- Be accountable for adhering to this code.
CASE Statement of Ethics
Institutional advancement professionals, by virtue of their responsibilities within the academic community, represent their colleges, universities, and schools to the larger society. They have, therefore, a special duty to exemplify the best qualities of their institutions and to observe the highest standards of personal and professional conduct.
In so doing, they promote the merits of their institutions, and of education generally, without disparaging other colleges and schools.
Their words and actions embody respect for truth, fairness, free inquiry, and the opinions of others.
They respect all individuals without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, ethnic or national identity, handicap, or age.
They uphold the professional reputation of other advancement officers and give credit for ideas, words, or images originated by others.
They safeguard privacy rights and confidential information.
They do not grant or accept favors for personal gain, nor do they solicit or accept favors for their institutions where a higher public interest would be violated.
They avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest and, if in doubt, seek guidance from appropriate authorities.
They follow the letter and spirit of laws and regulations affecting institutional advancement.
They observe these standards and others that apply to their professions and actively encourage colleagues to join them in supporting the highest standards of conduct.
The CASE Board of Trustees adopted this Statement of Ethics to guide and reinforce our professional conduct in all areas of institutional advancement. The statement is also intended to stimulate awareness and discussion of ethical issues that may arise in our professional activities. The Board adopted the final text in Toronto on July 11, 1982, after a year of deliberation by national and district leaders and by countless volunteers throughout the membership.