This Code of Ethics, adopted by Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), applies to candidates, members, Board members, Chapter Advocates, Faculty Advisors, Professional Partners, BAP staff and other individuals associated with Beta Alpha Psi, its administration, and individual chapters. The Code reflects our individual and organizational commitment to conduct ourselves with the utmost integrity. The Code of Ethics provides a framework for what BAP considers responsible conduct, but it is not exhaustive. As BAP constituents, we must always strive to exercise good judgment, care and consideration in our service for BAP and in all of our personal conduct.
This code is to be applied every day in conducting our various activities. It is intended to increase the awareness of the ethical issues that may arise in the course of conducting service for BAP.
To maintain our ethical standards, we will:
- cultivate an awareness of the ethical issues affecting BAP, with special attention to those issues related to our specific areas of responsibility.
- be accountable for acting in compliance with BAP’s bylaws and policies.
- enhance compliance with BAP bylaws and policies by taking proper action to correct any perceived deficiencies.
- prohibit external activities that could reasonably be perceived as a conflict of interest.
- in no way threaten or intimidate those reporting any unethical behavior or misconduct.
- not personally use, nor disclose without authorization, any confidential information obtained through BAP activities.
- perform impartially and honestly when completing out all of our activities.
- provide timely and accurate information, promote transparency, and cultivate an open and sharing environment.
- behave toward others in a professional and courteous manner.
- act with respect, tolerance, and sensitivity, toward other persons’ cultures and backgrounds, especially in view of the international character of BAP and the value that BAP places on diversity.
- be available to promote honest and straightforward communication and to address any issue of concern.
- convince others to aspire to high ethical standards and by no means permit or persuade others to act improperly.
Ethics and Good Standing Implementation
Ethics and good standing
- BAP has ethical and conduct principles published in its Constitution and Bylaws.
- These ethical and conduct principles apply to all BAP members and incoming Candidates. Where Member is mentioned in this section, Member shall include members, incoming members and Candidates.
Ethics Committee
- An Ethics Committee shall be formed as a permanent Sub-Committee of the Board Of Directors.
- The Ethics Committee Shall comprise a Chair (trained in matters of ethics and fair procedures), a President or Past President of BAP, and one of the Alumni Representatives on the Board.
Complaints procedure
1. A complaint may be made to the Ethics Committee that a Member of Beta Alpha Psi:
a. has refused or neglected to comply with a provision or provisions of the constitution of BAP and or the ethical guidelines that govern Members, or has wilfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the association
2. The Ethics Committee may refuse to deal with a complaint if it considers the complaint to be trivial or vexatious in nature.
3. If the Ethics Committee decides to deal with the complaint, the Ethics Committee:
a. must cause notice of the complaint to be served on the Member concerned, and
b. must give the Member at least 14 days from the time the notice is served within which to make submissions to the Ethics Committee in connection with the complaint, and
c. must take into consideration any submissions made by the Member in connection with the complaint.
4. The Ethics Committee, shall, by consensus, reach two decisions. First the Committee must be satisfied that the facts alleged in the complaint have been proven. Second, a way forward or penalty shall be determined that the Committee feels is warranted in the circumstances. The ethics Committee may
a. determine that there has been no breach of ethics or principles of good conduct
b. remove a Member from any office held by the member while leaving membership of BAP intact
c. expel the Member from BAP
d. suspend the Member from membership of BAP or
e. any other penalty or actions that the Ethics Committee deems appropriate, including but not limited to, counselling or further education.
5. If the Ethics Committee makes a decision, the Executive Office must, within 7 days after the action or decision is taken, cause written notice to be given to the Member of the decision taken, of the reasons given by the Ethics Committee for having taken that action and of the Member’s right of appeal under the following clause.
6. The decision taken does not take effect:
a. until the expiration of the period within which the Member is entitled to appeal against the decision concerned, or
b. if within that appeal period the Member exercises the right of appeal, unless and until the Executive Board confirms the decision under the following clause, whichever is the later.
Right of appeal of disciplined member to Executive Board
1. A Member may appeal to the Board of Directors against a decision of the Ethics Committee under the previous clause, within 7 days after notice of the decision is mailed to the Member, by lodging with the Executive Office a notice that the Member will appeal.
2. The notice may, but need not, be accompanied by a statement of the grounds on which the Member intends to rely for the purposes of the appeal.
3. On receipt of a notice from a Member under subclause (1), the Executive Office must notify the Board of Directors which is to convene a meeting to be held within 28 days after the date on which the Executive Office received the notice.
4. The Board of Directors meeting may take place in a face to face session or may occur through audio or video conference. The choice of meeting format shall be made by the Executive Board.
5. At the Board of Directors meeting convened under subclause (3):
a. no business other than the question of the appeal is to be transacted,
b. the Chair of the Ethics Committee and the Member must be given the opportunity to state their respective cases in writing, and
c. the Board of Directors members present have the option to vote by secret ballot on the question of whether the decision of the Ethics Committee should be confirmed, modified or revoked.
6. The appeal is to be determined by a simple majority of votes cast by members of the Board of Directors.
Updated: 09/20/2016
