About

Code of Christian Collegiality

Silliman University celebrates friendships predicated on Christian fellowship. Its faculty, staff and students form a community of friends and colleagues who all seek to live and to relate to each other in accordance to this Code.

I. General Statements

We recognize that:

1. Silliman University is an institution of higher learning founded on and proclaiming the evangelical tradition of the Christian faith and seeks unity and cooperation in the best tradition of the ecumenical movement;
2. Silliman University is a ministry of multilevel Christian education, and as such the University recognizes and respects its own Christian ideals, heritage and traditions, and its faith on Jesus Christ as "the Way, the Truth and the Life", in the sense stated in the Holy Bible;
3. Silliman University is an enabler of great learning by building in each person a unity of competence, character and faith and with a deep sense of social responsibility;
4. Silliman University is a community of persons seeking to build personal and collective development, and which affirms the fundamental dignity of all human beings and of the integrity of God's creation;
5. Each person in the University - faculty, staff, student, alumni, friend - is a repository of the unique heritage and traditions of Silliman University; each embodying a part of its heritage and tradition; and
6. Silliman University is a corporation governed by the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and derives both entitlements from and obligations to the same.

II. Collegial Affirmation

Professional Conduct

1. Everyone in Silliman is a professional colleague to the others - the faculty, students, staff, alumni, guests, friends - who all exercise their respective roles and functions which all form part of the University system. Each one is to relate to the others in the best professional and personal manner as would accord the highest dignity and value to each one:
   • Faculty to other faculty, and to all staff, students, alumni and friends;
   • Staff to other staff, and to all faculty, students, alumni and friends; and
   • Students to other students, and to all faculty, staff, alumni and friends.
2. As colleagues in the University, everyone is expected to accord everyone else the highest esteem, the most refined language of respect, and the best work and quality of service or output.
3. Students are expected to fully understand and be supportive of the vision, mission and goals of the University and of their respective colleges and departments.
4. Honesty. Everyone is expected to observe honesty in all academic conduct and work in the University.
5. Discipline. Everyone is expected to observe the highest level of discipline in complying with time, academic, ethical and other requirements, policies, and laws.
6. Stewardship. Everyone is expected to respect any property of the University and of other members of the University.
7. Everyone should refrain from using one's position or function in the University to gain personal entitlements, advantages or benefits that are not sanctioned by professional engagement.
   Gift giving and gift-receiving, whether in cash or in kind, in consideration of any special act in giving a passing grade, granting of honors, or for other entitlements, are strictly prohibited.
8. Each and every one should protect each other from any form of harassment wherein by reason of superior power, a person exacts services, goods, or favors from another.
   Faculty members, administrative personnel or staff, student leaders or any person who exercises moral ascendancy over another are prohibited from using sexually colored language, insinuating sexual interest, or gaining sexual favors.
9. Service. All members of the community are encouraged to perform voluntary service for those in need.
10. Equal opportunities and Non-discrimination:
    • Everyone must respect and be tolerant of the religion, ethnicity, opinion and gender orientation of others.
    • Teachers shall in no way consider personal status or identity as a factor in the computation of grades.
    • No person shall be given special treatment on the basis of congeniality or status.
11. Scholarship. Members of the University should respect the professional activities of their colleagues and deal with conflicts in a collegial manner.
12. Confidentiality. Everyone should maintain confidentiality regarding their colleagues and student records.

III. Entitlements

a. Academic Freedom

1. General duty to promote growth and spread of knowledge while protecting academic freedom.
2. Right to receive adequate information on course content, assessments, and syllabi in a timely manner.
3. Entitlement to prompt and fair evaluation of work and maintenance of proper progress records.
4. Implementation of classroom strategies that support differentiated learning and respect student dignity.
5. Engagement between teachers and students to develop appropriate teaching strategies.
6. Availability of grievance procedures that ensure respect for basic individual rights.
7. Accurate reporting and dissemination of research activities without impairing academic integrity.
8. Respect for intellectual property rights and collaborative contributions.

b. Human Rights

1. Fundamental right to information, freedom of association, speech, and religion, and equal opportunities.
2. Right to political opinion and involvement in political affairs as allowed by law and University policy.