Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality

Code of Ethics

College of Eastern Idaho is committed to the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct in pursuit of its mission and goals. Accomplishing this mission demands that the members of the college community exemplify the highest level of ethical standards and behaviors. CEI has adopted a set of principles that outlines and explains expected behaviors, standards, and shared values. As an institution dedicated to teaching, scholarship, and community partnerships, employees are charged with safeguarding the integrity and reputation of the institution.

The Code of Ethics is not a substitute for the active process of ethical decision-making, but rather serves as a guide to assure individual conduct aligns with institutional values. CEI requires all employees to act in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Employees are expected to undertake their responsibilities on CEI's behalf with diligence and professionalism and to comply with the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and fairness.

College of Eastern Idaho subscribes to the following ethical principles:

1. Fair Dealing
   Members of the CEI community are expected to conduct themselves ethically, honestly, and with integrity in all dealings.

2. Individual Responsibility and Accountability
   Members of the CEI community are expected to exercise responsibility appropriate to their position. Members are responsible to each other, the college, and the college's stakeholders both for their actions and their decisions not to act. CEI employees shall bring positive, inclusive, and transparent leadership to their respective roles, encouraging active participation in making the college an institution characterized by excellence.

3. Confidentiality/Privacy and Access
   CEI is the custodian of many types of information, including that which is confidential, proprietary, and private. Employees who have access to such information are expected to be familiar with and to comply with applicable laws and CEI policies, directives, and agreements pertaining to access, use, protection, and disclosure of such information. Computer security and privacy are also subject to law and CEI policy.

4. Financial/Business Practices
   All college accounting and financial records, tax reports, expense reports, time sheets, and other reports or documents including those submitted to government agencies must be accurate, clear, and complete. CEI employees shall not knowingly sign, subscribe to, or permit the issuance of any statement or report which contains any misstatements or which omits any material fact.

   Fiscal objectives, procedures, and constraints shall be documented and communicated to the Board of Trustees and CEI employees as requested. CEI will utilize a transparent and open format for all financial dealings. CEI employees will exercise prudence and integrity in the management of funds in their custody and in all financial transactions. CEI employees will act as responsible stewards of the public trust and effectively use the resources entrusted to them to fulfill the mission and obligations of the college.

5. Conflicts of Interest or Commitment
   Members of the CEI community are expected to devote primary allegiance to the college and to the mission of teaching and public service. Offering the highest quality education and services will be the top priority. Outside professional activities, personal financial interests, or acceptance of benefits from third parties can create actual or perceived conflicts between CEI's mission and an individual's private interests. CEI employees are expected to make decisions that avoid impropriety or conflicts of interest and must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that arise.

6. Respect for Others
   CEI is committed to the principle of treating each community member with respect and dignity while embracing diversity and fostering an environment of inclusivity. CEI prohibits discrimination and harassment and provides equal opportunities for all community members.

Conflicts of Interest

College of Eastern Idaho expects all employees to conduct themselves and CEI business in a manner that reflects the highest standards of ethical conduct, and in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This includes avoiding real and potential conflicts of interest. Maintenance of the public's trust is critical to the mission and reputation of CEI. It is vital that employees and public servants of CEI demonstrate that they hold themselves to the highest ethical standards, including the disclosure of their participation in any activity that will result in their financial, professional, or personal benefit and may be construed as a conflict of interest. Conflicts of interest must be reported, evaluated, and resolved to prevent improper actions.

Exactly what constitutes a conflict of interest or an unethical business practice is both a moral and a legal question. College of Eastern Idaho recognizes and respects the individual employee's right to engage in activities outside of employment which are private in nature and do not in any way conflict with or reflect poorly on the college.

It is not possible to define all the circumstances and relationships that might create a conflict of interest. If a situation arises where there is a potential conflict of interest, the employee should discuss this with a manager for advice and guidance on how to proceed. The list below suggests some of the types of activity that indicate improper behavior, unacceptable personal integrity, or unacceptable ethics:

1. Simultaneous employment by another firm that is a competitor of or supplier to College of Eastern Idaho.
2. Carrying on college business with a firm in which the employee, or a close relative of the employee, has a substantial ownership or interest.
3. Accepting substantial gifts or excessive entertainment from an outside organization or agency.
4. Speculating or dealing in materials, equipment, supplies, services, or property purchased by CEI.
5. Participating in civic or professional organization activities in a manner that divulges confidential CEI information.
6. Misusing privileged information or revealing confidential data to outsiders.
7. Using one's position at CEI or knowledge of its affairs for personal gain.
8. Engaging in practices or procedures that violate antitrust laws, commercial bribery laws, copyright laws, discrimination laws, campaign contribution laws, or other laws regulating the conduct of college business.

Confidential Information

The protection of confidential information is vital to the interests and success of College of Eastern Idaho. Confidential information is any and all information disclosed to or known by you because of employment with CEI that is not generally known to people outside of CEI.

CEI faculty and staff with access to student academic and/or personal records (electronic or paper-based) are responsible under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to protect the privacy of these records.

An employee who improperly uses or discloses confidential information will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment and legal action, even if he or she does not actually benefit from the disclosed information.

All inquiries from the media must be referred to the director of communications and marketing.

This provision is not intended to, and should not be interpreted to, prohibit employees from discussing other terms and conditions of employment if they so choose.