Code of Ethical Conduct

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In furtherance of maintaining and promoting New York University's reputation for excellence and integrity, the Board of Trustees has promulgated this Code of Ethical Conduct, which sets forth the general principles to which we subscribe and to which we expect every member of the University - every part-time and fulltime employee, faculty member, officer, trustee, overseer, and advisory board member - to adhere. These principles have been derived from federal, state, and local laws and regulations, University policies and procedures, contractual and grant obligations, and generally accepted principles of ethical conduct.

I. ADHERENCE TO THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS

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Every member of the University shall, at all times, conduct his or her activities in accordance with the highest professional and community ethical standards. 

Every member of the University is expected to become familiar with those laws, regulations, and University rules which are applicable to his or her position and duties, and to comply with both their letter and spirit. The University will implement programs to further members' awareness and to monitor and promote compliance. All questions and concerns about the legality or propriety of any action or failure to take action by or on behalf of the University should be referred to either the member's supervisor or to the Office of General Counsel.

II. RESPECT FOR AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW

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Every member of the University is expected to become familiar with those laws, regulations, and University rules which are applicable to his or her position and duties, and to comply with both their letter and spirit. The University will implement programs to further members' awareness and to monitor and promote compliance. All questions and concerns about the legality or propriety of any action or failure to take action by or on behalf of the University should be referred to either the member's supervisor or to the Office of General Counsel.

III. COMPLIANCE WITH ALL CONTRACTUAL AND GRANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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Every member of the University is expected to maintain access to and to comply strictly with the terms and conditions of each University grant and contract on which he or she is working. All questions or concerns about whether a particular term or condition violates the law or whether the grantor or contractor has breached its obligations to the University should be referred promptly to the Office of General Counsel.

IV. SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY'S GOALS AND AVOIDANCE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

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New York University is a not-for-profit institution which is dedicated to teaching and research. Every member of the University is expected to faithfully carry out his or her professional duties in furtherance of the University's mission. Every member has a duty to avoid conflicts between his or her personal interests and official responsibilities and to comply with University and applicable School codes and guidelines for reporting and reviewing actual and potential conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment. Additionally, a member may not utilize his or her position with the University for his or her personal benefit. Members are also expected to consider and avoid, not only an actual conflict but also, the appearance of a conflict of interest. 

V. MAINTENANCE OF THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

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Every member of the University involved in teaching and research activities is expected to conform to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Activities such as plagiarism, misrepresentation, and falsification of data are expressly prohibited. All research at the University must be conducted in strict conformity with the applicable University policies, procedures, and approvals and the requirements of all governmental and private research sponsors. 

VI. RESPECT FOR THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF OTHERS

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New York University is committed to a policy of equal treatment, opportunity, and respect in its relations with its faculty, administrators, staff, students, and others who come into contact with the University.  Every member of the University is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability, and any other legally protected status; physically assaulting, emotionally abusing, or harassing anyone; and depriving anyone of rights in his or her physical or intellectual property, under University policy, or under federal, state, and local laws. 

VII. STRIVING TO ATTAIN THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PATIENT CARE

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Every member of the University involved in furnishing medical and dental services is expected to provide the highest quality of services responsive to the needs of patients, their families, and the communities in which the University functions. All patient care must be reasonable, necessary, and appropriate to the situation and be provided only by duly qualified University personnel. All patient records and documentation must conform to all applicable legal and payor requirements as well as professional standards. Every member of the University is expected to protect the confidentiality of patient information. 

VIII. MAINTENANCE AND PRESERVATION OF ACCURATE RECORDS

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Members of the University are expected to create and maintain records and documentation which fully conform to all applicable laws and professional, and ethical standards. Every member of the University who is involved, directly or indirectly, in the preparation or submission of a bill to any governmental or private payor is expected to use his or her best efforts to ensure the bill addresses only those services rendered and products delivered and in the correct amount, supported by appropriate documentation. 

IX. CONDUCTING BUSINESS PRACTICES WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY

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Every member of the University is expected to conduct all business with patients, payors, vendors, competitors, and the academic community with honesty and integrity. This duty includes, but is not limited to: adherence to federal and state anti-fraud and referral prohibitions in dealing with vendors and referral sources; adherence to all antitrust laws (such as those governing prices and other sales terms and conditions, improper sharing of competitive information, allocation of territories, and group boycotts); and protecting and preserving University property and assets--including proprietary intellectual property, buildings, equipment, books, supplies, and funds.

X. CONCERN FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY; RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

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Every member of the University is expected, in the performance of his or her duties, to comply with all laws and regulations which govern occupational and patient health and safety and to make every reasonable effort to ensure that students, faculty, patients, employees, and visitors are protected from undue health risks and unsafe conditions. 

Every member of the University is expected, in the course of his or her activities: to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations; to ensure that the University has obtained all necessary licenses, permits, and approvals; and to employ the proper procedures and controls in the storage and handling of radioactive and toxic materials and in the handling and disposition of hazardous and biohazardous wastes. 

XI. REPORTING SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE; ENFORCEMENT OF THE CODE

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This Code of Conduct has been created and exists for the benefit of the entire University and all of its members. It exists in addition to and is not intended to limit the specific policies, procedures, and rules enacted by the University and each of its Schools.

Each member of the University is expected to uphold the standards of New York University and to report suspected violations of the Code or any other apparent irregularity to either his or her Supervisor, Human Resources, Financial Compliance and Internal Audit, Research Compliance, the School Compliance Officer, the Office of General Counsel, the University Compliance Officer, or the NYU NO CALLER ID toll-free COMPLIANCE LINE (877) 360-7626. If a member prefers, he or she may make the report anonymously (by mail, online at nyu.edu/reportingline, or by the Compliance Line). The University will, if requested, make every reasonable effort to keep confidential the identity of anyone reporting a suspected violation, to the extent permitted by law, and except if doing so would effectively prevent the University from conducting a full and fair investigation of the allegations. 

This Code of Ethical Conduct will be enforced. Reports of suspected violations will be investigated by authorized University personnel. Officers, managers, and supervisors have a special duty to adhere to the principles of the Code, to encourage their subordinates to do so, and to recognize and report suspected violations. Each member of the University is expected to cooperate fully with any investigation undertaken. If it is determined that a violation has occurred, the University reserves the right to take corrective and disciplinary action against any person who was involved in the violation or who allowed it to occur or persist due to a failure to exercise reasonable diligence. Additionally, the University may make an appropriate disclosure to governmental agencies (including law enforcement authorities). Disciplinary actions will be determined on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the applicable disciplinary codes.

XII. PROMISE OF NO RETALIATION

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The University promises that there will be no adverse action, retribution, or other reprisal for the good faith reporting of a suspected violation of this Code, even if the allegations ultimately prove to be without merit. The University will, however, pursue disciplinary action against any member who is shown to have knowingly filed a false report with the intention to injure another. 

The University reserves the right, at any time, and without notice, to amend this Code of Ethical Conduct in its sole, good faith, discretion. This Code does not form a contract.


Notes
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  1. Dates of official enactment and amendments: Not Available
  2. History: N/A
  3. Cross References: N/A