Professional Conduct
Georgetown University expects its employees to behave in a professional, business-like manner at work, on University premises, and whenever representing the University. Employees also are accountable for behavior outside of work that negatively affects their ability to perform their responsibilities on the job. The University’s standards of conduct include, but are not limited to the following:
Employees are expected to abide by the University Information Security
Policy and its accompanying procedures for safeguarding and protecting the University’s confidential and protected information. This includes keeping confidential all passwords, certificates, and other measures designed to protect systems containing electronic private information. The policy is online at http://policies.georgetown.edu/31641.html. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to, information concerning:
The University also requires that extra precaution be taken when collecting, using, and storing non-public “personally identifiable” information, such as an individual’s Social Security Number, date of birth, place of birth, mother’s maiden name, bank account numbers, income tax records, driver’s license number, and credit card numbers.
The University has specific procedures in place to handle situations related to security breaches. For more information or to report a suspected violation, e-mail abuse@georgetown.edu or contact the Information Security Office.
The University as a rule does not enter into procurement contracts with students, faculty and staff, or members of their immediate families.
Acquisitions from a business in which an employee has an interest are prohibited unless full disclosure of all facts are made in writing to the Purchasing and Contracts Department. Interest is deemed present if the employee and/or his or her spouse or unemancipated minor children own 10% or more of the assets of a business.
In addition, employees may not accept gifts, tips, or gratuities from students, families of students, patients, or families of patients.
Employees may not represent themselves as spokesperson for the University unless authorized to do so.
- Employees should report to work on time and sufficiently prepared for the workday.
- An employee’s dress and appearance should be appropriate to the job functions and performance standards established for the position. All employees are expected to maintain an acceptable level of grooming and hygiene.
- Unauthorized use of University resources, such as telephones, copiers, computers, fax machines, postage, courier services, office supplies, and other business equipment and supplies is prohibited. Guidelines concerning the Incidental Use of Electronic Resources are online at http://policies.georgetown.edu/tech/. The University recognizes that its employees may occasionally need to use University electronic resources for personal matters and does not wish to prohibit such use altogether. The overriding principle that should govern personal use of these resources is that reasonable and incidental unofficial use of University electronic resources is authorized only so long as (i) the University incurs no additional cost from that use, other than the minimal cost incurred from ordinary wear and tear and the use of minimal amounts of ink, toner, or paper; and (ii) the use does not inappropriately interfere with official business.
- During the course of their workdays, University employees should only conduct duties related to their jobs at Georgetown. Employees may not conduct personal business during work hours or use University resources for personal business.
- Employees who are members of outside professional organizations should ensure that their involvement in those organizations does not negatively affect their ability to perform their job duties at Georgetown.
- Unauthorized use, possession, or storage of firearms, dangerous weapons, explosives or lethal materials on University premises or at University sponsored activities is prohibited, whether or not a federal or local license to possess the weapon or material has been issued.
- Unauthorized visitors during work hours are prohibited.
- Being under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or controlled substances when reporting to work, while on the job, in connection with carrying out University responsibilities, or on University premises, is prohibited.
- Possessing or selling illegal or controlled substances while on the job, in connection with carrying out University responsibilities, or on University premises, is prohibited.
Computer Systems Acceptable Use Policy
All users of Georgetown University’s technology resources are required to abide by the Computer Systems Acceptable Use Policy. More information is available in the “Technology Use and Security” section of this handbook.Confidential Information
Certain University information is confidential and subject to specific state and federal laws and regulations, as well as University policy. All confidential information must be protected against unauthorized access and disclosure. Unauthorized access and/or disclosure of confidential information by University employees is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action and legal penalties.Employees are expected to abide by the University Information Security
Policy and its accompanying procedures for safeguarding and protecting the University’s confidential and protected information. This includes keeping confidential all passwords, certificates, and other measures designed to protect systems containing electronic private information. The policy is online at http://policies.georgetown.edu/31641.html. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to, information concerning:
- Law Center clients;
- Prospective, current, and former students;
- Medical Center patients;
- Current, former, and prospective employees; and
- University business, finances, infrastructure, and operations.
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): protects personally identifiable information about current and former students.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): governs the use of protected health information.
- Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA): protects personal financial information.
The University also requires that extra precaution be taken when collecting, using, and storing non-public “personally identifiable” information, such as an individual’s Social Security Number, date of birth, place of birth, mother’s maiden name, bank account numbers, income tax records, driver’s license number, and credit card numbers.
The University has specific procedures in place to handle situations related to security breaches. For more information or to report a suspected violation, e-mail abuse@georgetown.edu or contact the Information Security Office.
Conflicts of Interest
All employees must avoid actions that are or could be considered as conflicts of interest between their own personal or professional interests and the interests of the University. A conflict of interest may occur if an employee or a member of the employee’s immediate family or household:- Has an existing or potential interest, financial or non-financial, that may impair or appear to impair the individual’s independent judgment when performing University responsibilities; or
- Receives or may receive a material, financial, or other benefit from knowledge of confidential or proprietary University information.
The University as a rule does not enter into procurement contracts with students, faculty and staff, or members of their immediate families.
Acquisitions from a business in which an employee has an interest are prohibited unless full disclosure of all facts are made in writing to the Purchasing and Contracts Department. Interest is deemed present if the employee and/or his or her spouse or unemancipated minor children own 10% or more of the assets of a business.
Copyright
Copyright issues are increasingly relevant and important to members of the academic community. Copyright laws affect not only the protection of the University’s work but also the ways in which the works of others are used in teaching, learning, and research or in the production of new works. They also implicate the University itself when members of the community use the University’s networks to carry out illegal activities. Georgetown University’s resources may not be used to violate copyright, and the University has developed copyright guidelines and other important materials about peer-to-peer file sharing (including potentially illegal sharing of music, movies, software, and other media), as well as information about the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and other relevant topics. For more information visit http://policies.georgetown.edu/tech.Felony or Misdemeanor Convictions
If an employee is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor while employed by Georgetown University, the employee must notify his or her supervisor immediately following the conviction. Moreover, Georgetown University may terminate the employee as a result of the conviction or for failure to provide notice of the conviction.Gratuities
University policy mandates that employees must refuse personal gifts or gratuities in connection with the procurement function. The Purchasing and Contracts staff may not accept personal gifts or gratuities from any current or potential supplier of goods or services.In addition, employees may not accept gifts, tips, or gratuities from students, families of students, patients, or families of patients.
Media Contacts
Employees may not comment on University business to representatives of the press (radio, television, print, online, or other media) without authorization from the appropriate University public relations office or the appropriate vice president. Inquiries from campus media must be referred to the appropriate department head or higher level of management.Employees may not represent themselves as spokesperson for the University unless authorized to do so.
Sexual Harassment Policy
Sexual harassment by students or employees at Georgetown University is prohibited and will subject perpetrators to disciplinary action. More information is available in the “Promoting a Respectful Community” section in this handbook.Solicitation
To avoid unnecessary interruptions of University services and business, solicitation and distribution of written material by employees or others on University property or by employees via e-mail is prohibited unless approved in advance. Solicitation includes, but is not limited to:- Raffles;
- Sale of merchandise;
- Posting or distributing notices or written material;
- Soliciting for membership in organizations; and
- Requests for support of social, community, or other organizations.
