Reminder – Employee Responsibilities Under the Ethics Policy

[Regan Ashline]

SUNY Plattsburgh is committed to maintaining the highest standards of
integrity, professionalism, and public trust in all University operations.
This memo serves as a reminder of employee responsibilities under the
Ethics Policy and New York State Public Officers Law.

Who Must Comply
All employees, including applicable student employees, are expected to
understand and follow ethics requirements applicable to their role.

Code of Ethics Expectations
Employees must conduct work-related activities in a manner that reflects
integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment. Employees may not use their
official position, authority, or access to confidential information to
obtain unwarranted privileges, personal gain, or benefits for themselves or
others.

Guiding Principles of Ethical Conduct
Employees are expected to:
• Act impartially and avoid favoritism
• Protect confidential and sensitive information
• Serve as responsible stewards of State resources
• Avoid inappropriate business relationships with the State
• Avoid financial conflicts of interest
• Adhere to standards of integrity in decision-making and conduct

Annual Ethics Requirements
Employees are responsible for completing required annual ethics training
through COELIG.

Employees designated as filers are also responsible for submitting annual
Financial Disclosure Statements (FDS) by established deadlines. May 15th
(non-academic employees) or Nov 16th (academic employees).

Honoraria
Employees seeking to engage in honorarium-related activities requiring
approval must obtain authorization before performing the activity.

• State agency heads must submit requests directly to COELIG.
• All other employees must submit a completed Honorarium Form to the campus
Ethics Officer and receive written approval prior to the activity.
• Teaching faculty are exempt from honoraria approval procedures when the
service performed falls within the subject matter of their official
academic or research discipline.

Outside Activities

Employees are responsible for ensuring outside employment, consulting,
speaking engagements, professional activities, and compensated
opportunities do not conflict with their State responsibilities.

Employees should consider whether an outside activity:
• Uses State time, equipment, resources, or information
• Relates to decisions or responsibilities connected to their University
role
• Creates an appearance of preferential treatment or personal gain
• Requires review or prior approval under applicable ethics guidance

Employees are encouraged to consult with the Campus Ethics Officer to
evaluate potential conflicts of interest and determine whether disclosure,
documentation, or approval is required.

Questions and Resources
Employees are encouraged to review available resources on the newly
updated SUNY
Plattsburgh Ethics webpage
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/about/offices-divisions/administration-finance/policies-procedures/compliance/ethics/index.html>
.

Employees with questions ethics-related matters—or those who would like to
schedule a meeting with Campus Ethics Officer Lauren Currie—should contact
policies at plattsburgh.edu
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