Overview | FERPA | Ethical Conduct | Nondiscrimination | Sexual Harassment | Substance Abuse | Copyright Restrictions
Overview
Instructors acting on behalf of UC Berkeley Extension and through their direct contact with students are a significant part of Extension's voice. Instructors are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and not to exploit the vulnerability of the instructor/student relationship. Extension instructors are also expected to adhere to University policies and administrative guidelines as set forth here. Instructors will be held accountable for established violations of these policies. All UC Berkeley Extension instructors must conduct themselves within the policies established under the Faculty Code of Conduct for the UC Berkeley campus.
Extension programs and classes should not, through their content, mode of presentation, or promotion, make promises—either explicit or implicit—of financial or business success, job placement, or physical or emotional cure. Extension instructors, guest speakers, and/or participating organizations may not use the classroom as a forum for attracting clients into therapy, self-improvement programs, or business, professional, or social relationships. Instructors may not use the classroom as a forum to promote personal, political, or religious views. Instructors are expected to comport themselves in a professional manner, and to refrain from using vulgar or derogatory language.
Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct
The University's Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct commits everyone in the UC community to the highest ethical standards in furtherance of the University's mission of teaching, research, and public service. It identifies the University's core ethical values as integrity, excellence, accountability, and respect. These Standards of Ethical Conduct apply to all members of the University community, including UC Berkeley Extension instructors. In summary, UC Berkeley Extension expects its instructors to be committed to the following ethical values, including but not limited to: fair dealing; individual responsibility and accountability; respect for others; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; compliance with applicable university policies, procedures and other forms of guidance; prevention and avoidance of any conflicts of interest; record confidentiality, privacy and access; appropriate use of University resources; and the reporting of ethical violations including protection from retaliation.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) governs the disclosure and confidentiality of student information. Student information is considered confidential and should not be released to third parties without the express written consent of the student. Student directory information includes student name, email, terms of attendance, major fields of study, and certificates earned. Confidential student information that is protected under FERPA includes class scheduling information, grades, and other student contact information, such as student address and student phone number. UC Berkeley Extension instructors often have a Legitimate Educational Interest (LEI) in accessing confidential student information for the express purpose of fulfilling their instructional responsibilities. Outside of those instructional responsibilities, instructors must not re-purpose, re-use, or have continued access to confidential student information for any other purpose. Your compliance with FERPA while maintaining an environment conducive to learning is very important. Throughout this website, Extension gives guidance on "best practices" to ensure that instructors will be in compliance with FERPA. Please see the following for more information:
- Teaching in Centers and Classrooms: Student Enrollment and Course Rosters
- Fall Program for Freshmen: Disclosure of Information from Student Records
- Grading Confidentiality and FERPA
- FERPA: Top Ten Tips
- The Chronicle of Higher Education: Understanding FERPA and Educational Records Disclosure
- Additional information may be found at www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
Please direct any questions regarding FERPA to registrar@unex.berkeley.edu.
Nondiscrimination
Instructors must adhere to the University's policies on nondiscrimination and the University's policies on the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
Sexual Harassment
Instructors must adhere to the University's policies on sexual harassment.
Substance Abuse in the Workplace
Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989, the University strives to maintain campus communities and work sites free from the illegal use, possession, or distribution of alcohol or of controlled substances, as defined in schedules I through V of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 United States Code 812, and by Regulation 21, Code of Federal regulations 1308.
Employees and students shall not use illegal substances or abuse legal substances in a manner that impairs work performance, scholarly activities, or student life. Employees in violation of this policy, including student employees if circumstances warrant, may be subject to corrective action, up to and including dismissal, or may be required to participate in an employee support program. Students in violation of this policy may be subject to corrective action, up to and including dismissal, or may be required to participate in a treatment program. The University recognizes dependency on alcohol and other drugs as a treatable condition and offers programs and services for substance dependency problems. Employees and students are encouraged to seek assistance as appropriate from employee support programs, health centers, and counseling or psychological services at University locations or through referral. Information about an employee or student obtained during participation in such programs or services will be treated as confidential. For more information, visit uga.berkeley.edu/uga/substance.stm.
Copyright Restrictions
UC Berkeley Extension must comply with federal law and University policy regarding copyright. To avoid the potential of copyright infringement, the University of California has adopted a conservative approach to this issue. Should instructors knowingly use copyrighted materials without appropriate authorization, instructors can be held liable. Please review the Copyright Restrictions and Fair Use Requirements for more information.