Ethical Statement of Values
Appendix G
ETHICAL STATEMENT OF VALUES
The University of West Georgia has a fiduciary responsibility to fulfill its overall mission in compliance with
applicable policies, laws, regulations and rules. This policy statement sets forth the university’s Ethical
Statement of Values for employees who agree to conduct fiscal transactions on behalf of the university as a
resulting condition of her or his duties.
As public employees, university employees are expected to inform themselves about and comply with
applicable University policies and procedures. In addition, university employees are obligated to comply
with the State of Georgia Codes of Ethics and Conflicts of Interest [O.C.G.A. § 45-10-1]. Furthermore,
state criminal statutes provide criminal sanctions for employees found guilty of having used state funds for
personal benefit or gain by means of a purchase order, government contract, credits card, charge card, or
debit card, or other such payment vehicle. [Part 1 of Article 3 of Chapter 5 of Title 50 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated – Section 50-5-80]
I. Professional Values
Employees should demonstrate the following behaviors in carrying out fiscal transactions:
• Strive to exceed the demands for honesty, fairness, and justice in dealings both with and on behalf
of the university;
• Put loyalty to the highest moral principles and to country above loyalty to persons, party, or
government department;
• Exhibit professionalism in the workplace, and conduct themselves in a way that will continue to
promote the public's confidence in the integrity of the University; and
• Strive to fulfill their assigned responsibilities, and be proactive in developing the skills necessary to
provide high job performance
II. Employment Responsibility
Employees shall, in the performance of their responsibilities be expected to:
• Safeguard the assets of the institution from fraud, waste, and abuse;
• Strictly adhere to the policies and procedures governing the use of the State Purchasing Card
as set forth by the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) guidelines, Board of
Regents Business Procedures Manual and all applicable University policies and procedures;
• Exercise prudence and integrity in the management of resources in their custody and in all
fiscal transactions in which they participate;
• Be fair-minded, non-discriminatory, and treat all individuals, both internal and external to the
University community equitably, with civility, respect and dignity
• Act in a competent manner and in compliance with Federal and State laws and regulations and
University policies;
• Not knowingly be a party to or condone fiscal misconduct;
• Report fiscal misconduct to the Office of Internal Audit as required by the university’s policy;
