SUNY University-Wide Human Resources Manual
Orientation - Code of Ethics

last updated: Thursday, July 1, 2004

SUNY employees are bound by the NYS Code of Ethics as set forth in Section 74 of the Public Officers' Law. Upon initial appointment employees are required to file a statement that they have received, read, and will conform to the provisions of the Code of Ethics that advises them that as public employees they are bound by legal restriction with respect to certain activities and interests of a private nature. It also constitutes an employee promise to maintain the highest principles of conduct in the discharge of his/her responsibilities and an acknowledgement of his/her obligation to follow a pattern of behavior in the job that will reflect favorably upon his/her campus, SUNY, and the State.

The NYS Code of Ethics specifically requires that State employees pursue a course of conduct that will not give the impression that they may be influenced or affected in any way in the proper performance of their duties or are likely to engaged in acts that violate that trust.

State employees:

1. are prohibited from engaging in any activity that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of your duties in the public interest, accepting other employment that would impair your judgement in the exercise of your official duties, and disclosing confidential information which you gain from your State position;
2. cannot use their official position to secure unwarranted privileges for themselves or others;
3. cannot, by their conduct, leave the impression that anyone can influence them based on family relationship, rank, position, or influence - they must not engage in any activity that raises a suspicion among the public that they are likely to be engaged in acts that are in violation of their public trust;
4. should avoid conduct which gives the impression of favoritism on the job that is based on kinship, rank, position, or influence; and
5. may not engage in any outside activity that interferes or is in conflict with the proper discharge of their official duties.

See also related orientation topics Financial Disclosure, Gifts, and Political Activities.

Reference(s):

Ethics On-Line Training from the Governor's Office of Employee Relations (GOER)
http://www.goer.state.ny.us/Train/onlinelearning/eth/intro.html

Financial Disclosure

Gifts

Political Activities

Section 74, Code of Ethics, Public Officers Law
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/ethc/POL74.html