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Handbook of Operating Procedures
Chapter 4 - Personnel General
Publication Date: October 15, 1996
Policy Reviewed Date: February 17, 2022
Policy Owner: VP for Business Affairs


4.01 Code of Ethics

The following standards of conduct for employees of the University of Texas System and its component institutions are prescribed under State Law.

  1. No employee shall accept or solicit any gift, favor, or service that might reasonably tend to influence them in the discharge of their official duties or that the employee knows or should know is being offered with the intent to influence his or her official conduct.
  2. No employee shall intentionally or knowingly solicit, accept, or agree to accept any benefit for having exercised his or her official powers or performed his or her official duties in favor of another.
  3. No employee shall accept employment or engage in any business or professional activity which the employee might reasonably expect would require or induce the employee to disclose confidential information acquired by reason of his or her official position.
  4. No employee shall disclose confidential information gained by reason of his or her official position or otherwise use such information for his or her personal gain or benefit.
  5. No employee shall transact any business in his or her official capacity with any business entity of which the employee is an officer, agent, or member, or in which the employee owns a substantial interest.
  6. No employee shall make personal investments which could reasonably be expected to create a substantial conflict between the employee's private interest and the public interest.
  7. No employee shall accept other employment or compensation which could reasonably be expected to impair the employee's independence of judgment in the performance of the employee's public duties.
  8. Sexual Harassment and Misconduct: The educational and working environments of the System and its component institutions should be free from inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual misconduct and sexual harassment are unprofessional and unacceptable. UTSA's Sexual Harassment Policy is included in Section 9.24 of this Handbook.

Editorial Note Removed July 21, 2023
Editorial Amendment Issued May 21, 2004