More than 40,000 people teach, study, work, and conduct research at Freie Universität and each of them has their own unique identity, background, and set of experiences, as well as diverse affiliations with other communities. Rebecca Mak, head of the university’s Diversity and Antidiscrimination Office, points out, “In this diverse community a shared understanding of behavioral expectations is crucial for creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable environment where discrimination is tackled head-on. This requires a binding framework for interactions in everyday university life.”

Freie Universität has now created such a framework with its code of conduct, which can be found prominently placed on the university’s website. It outlines the university’s fundamental values and the rules of conduct that these values demand. The rules apply to all members of the university and their guests on campus.

“The code of conduct describes the basis of our community at Freie Universität,” says Verena Blechinger-Talcott, the executive vice president of Freie Universität. And further, “Respect, diversity, responsibility, trust, and sustainability are fundamental to academic freedom and a university culture that takes a stand – against discrimination, for equity, and for respect.”

The Shared Task of Taking Responsibility

The code of conduct was developed by a twelve-member diversity steering team at Freie Universität. However, Rebecca Mak emphasizes that they did not make up new rules out of thin air in the process. “We simply compiled what was already in place. The code of conduct summarizes existing duties and obligations from statutes, regulations, and guidelines.”

The code of conduct is divided into five sections. The first two sections establish rules that ensure people treat each other with respect and esteem as well as regulations that actively counteract discrimination on campus. For example, it states that whether we meet online or in person, we treat each other with respect. Gender-inclusive language is to be used in all official communication, and each and every one of us should make a concerted effort to factor in diversity awareness in our interactions with fellow university members. Mak notes, “Providing equal opportunities and an inclusive, diversity-sensitive environment for learning, teaching, working, and conducting research is an explicit goal of our university. It is important that we reflect on and promote these goals in our personal behavior as well.”

Recognizing and Addressing Misconduct, Learning from Mistakes

Freie Universität has various counseling, advising, and support services for people who experience conflict or violations of the rules of conduct. They are listed on a website that enables affected persons to find the responsible office with just a few clicks. Mak says, “On this website people who have experienced discrimination or sexualized violence can directly find the appropriate counseling services. The goal is to ensure that they do not need to describe their situation numerous times.” 

Other sections of the code of conduct govern areas such as academic integrity, compliance, supervision, and leadership. They include guidelines for dealing with academic misconduct, conflicts of interest, data protection, and information security. They also address the culture of feedback and error as well as conduct in hiring, appointment, and evaluation processes.

People in Leadership Positions Have a Special Responsibility

Rebecca Mak points out that the code of conduct applies to all the members of the university as well as guests of the university. However, she also points out that people with leadership roles have a particular role model function and are called upon to “consciously and critically reflect on their position within the institutional power structure.”

The final section of the code of conduct concerns sustainability and environmental protection. This includes a commitment to combating human-induced climate change and a comprehensive understanding of sustainability in university operations. It also mandates the economical use of resources.

In conclusion, Mak says, “As a shared framework for action, the code of conduct projects an important signal regarding behavioral standards for interactions on campus. To be effective it requires the willingness of everyone to adhere to these standards in order to ensure that the values expressed in the code of conduct are an integral part of everyday reality.”

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The original German version of this article appeared in campus.leben, the online magazine published by Freie Universität Berlin.