Search Committee Code of Ethics

THIS SEARCH IS AN OPPORTUNITIY to educate a large array of people including candidates, those who serve as nominators and references, members of the higher education community and even the general public about Ohio Wesleyan’s many strengths.

In keeping with its commitment to high ethical standards and in order to attract the strongest candidate pool possible, the Ohio Wesleyan VPUR search committee will respect the confidentiality of all candidates. In addition, the members of the search committee have agreed that they will:

• Create a search environment which respects the rights and dignity of all persons
• Maintain in strict confidence and in perpetuity:
• All information about candidates secured during the search process (e.g., names, written materials, references)
• All search committee conversations and deliberations
• Put aside personal agendas, biases, or political positions so that each candidate has an honest and fair evaluation
• Disclose all conflicts of interest to the chair of the committee or, if appropriate, the entire committee
• Think institutionally rather than in terms of any constituency, i.e. represent the institution as a whole rather than individuals or group stakeholders
• Have no intention of becoming a candidate for the position
• Receive the permission of candidates prior to reference checking
• Establish accuracy of information about candidates prior to disclosure to the committee
• Ensure the safety of records after the search is completed retaining search records in compliance with institutional, state, and EEOC guidelines and disposing of records in a manner which retains candidate confidentiality
• Follow all by-laws of the institution and laws of the state and nation
• Affirm that only the president as chair of the committee speaks for the committee