what one does without faltering, no matter how risky
Oregon State University defines its institutional integrity
the decision, no matter how unpopular the decision makes
as one in which “The University accurately represents it-
the person appear to others. It could include sincerity,
self to students, staff, and faculty, and externally to govern-
keeping one’s word and agreements, honesty, truthfulness,
ment and regulatory agencies, accrediting bodies, and
a sense of ethics, fairness and justice.
the public”.20 Its commitment to integrity is reflected in its mission statement which cites truth, accountability and
Universities have long grappled with this concept. Iowa
responsibility as essential values. And it measures and main-
State University in the US, for example, has this to say: “The
tains this integrity through an organisational framework
overall reputation of the institution is of critical impor-
which guides, among others, ethical standards, conflicts of
tance to Iowa State University leaders. Faithful pursuit of
interest, academic freedom and public communication.21
the institutional mission, compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations, and responsiveness to the needs of students, faculty, staff, and other constituents are top priorities of the administration. Academic administrators work closely with faculty to maintain and enhance academic quality
At the individual level, integrity has been described as part of one’s belief system – influencing what one does without faltering, no matter how risky the decision, no matter how unpopular the decision makes the person appear to others.
And Mott Community College in the US, in its Institutional Integrity Subcommittee Report, 22 focuses on six general categories of internal practices and relationships (college communication, policies and procedures, internal conflict resolution, diversity, college
while seeking to embrace best practices in institutional
finances and governance) and six external practices and
policies and procedures, acutely aware of their respon-
relationships (legal authorisation to grant degrees, public
sibility to the public. University personnel administer cur-
information, hiring procedures and practices, student ser-
ricular and co-curricular programs, including extension
vices and financial aid, relationships with other institutions
and auxiliary activities, [which aim to be] in the best inter-
and organisations, and college athletics) as measures of
est of the constituencies that they serve … Iowa State
its integrity.
upholds and protects its integrity while always looking for areas to improve overall institutional effectiveness.”19
These are valuable and interesting examples of how tertiary institutions grapple with the concept of integrity. Perhaps the most useful approach, which offers a broader
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