‘These Norms Guide Our Behavior’

HSE is starting to discuss a new document – the HSE University Code of Conduct for Research and Teaching Staff. First Vice Rector Vadim Radaev explains why this document is important for the University.

Vadim Radaev
First Vice Rector, HSE University

– Why do we need a Code of Conduct? What does it accomplish?

– A Code of Conduct outlines the fundamental professional and social norms that determine appropriate behavior at a university, and what actions are considered unacceptable.

These norms guide our behavior, how we communication, our attitude to the university and, in to a certain extent, to society as a whole. And what is very important is that these are norms that unite us, despite our differences in research interests and personal views.
On the one hand, HSE University has already adopted the Statement of Values, but it includes only general provisions and does not take into account many terms. On the other hand, we have the Internal Labour Regulations that have been actively discussed recently. But these documents are still too formal and administrative. The code is primarily an informative document; one could say that it combines those documents into one.

– Do other universities have similar documents?

– Of course, most of the leading international universities have such codes. They are very different, and there is no single standard.

Each university creates it according to their rules and norms. Sometimes this document is limited to a brief declaration of basic principles, while in others it is highly detailed. In some cases, the code applies to all members of the university community, and in others, separate codes of conduct are created for employees and students.

– How did the project emerge?

– The text of the Code is the result of creative efforts of many colleagues, and the project was also discussed by several collegial boards of the university. During discussions, we certainly had different views on certain statements. But all participants supported the idea of this document and the content of its main provisions.

– Are there any penalties for violating the Code?

– The Code states that it is not a local normative act and that it is meant as a set of conventions (or a general agreement), so its violation does not entail disciplinary action. But if someone deliberately or systematically violates the accepted norms, thereby showing disrespect for colleagues and for the university’s interests, the university community should not ignore these actions.

The Code of Conduct is an important document for HSE University, so both employees and students should participate in its discussion. You can send your suggestions and comments via email to ethics@hse.ru.

April 14, 2020