Code of Conduct

As stated in the introduction to this handbook, the mission of Calvin College forms the foundation for our working community, and the success of the college in living out this mission is related directly to the competence, performance, and conduct of its staff members. Calvin College asks each staff member to participate in this community by being accountable to and responsible for one another. It is, therefore, necessary for the college to support clearly stated expectations for performance and conduct, with consistent procedures both for review and resolution.

Responsibilities

Staff members at Calvin College are expected to exemplify personal integrity, honesty, respect, humility, courage, generosity, gratitude, gentleness, kindness, patience, and self-control in their words and actions. Many of these qualities are identified by the apostle Paul as the "gifts of the Spirit" (Colossians 3, Galatians 5), and staff members should strive with God's help to demonstrate these virtues both in their professional activities and in their personal lives. Implementation of these standards and expectations is both an individual and a community responsibility.

Although each staff member is expected to strive to live out these virtues and to perform the tasks of his or her position in a satisfactory or exemplary manner, directors and supervisors are responsible for maintaining standards of performance and conduct, communicating and defining expectations, and following the appropriate procedures for review and resolution. These procedures are outlined in Appendix B: Problem Review and Grievance Procedure.