An examination of UTK faculty opinion regarding ethical codes for higher education

The purpose of this study was to ascertain faculty opinion toward ethical codes for higher education at the University of Tennessee, and to determine their willingness to personally endorse a code of ethics. A survey was distributed to a randomly chosen sample of 202 members of the faculty at the Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee which represents 15% of the 1341 professors in the population. Ninety-three surveys were returned for a response rate of 46%. The Chi Square test was used to determine statistically significant differences. In addition, free response comments were encouraged. The study found that a majority of faculty supported adopting a code of ethics. Based upon the raw percentages, 59 percent responded favorably, 32.1 percent were opposed, 7.5 percent were undecided, and 2.2 percent did not reply to the question. This association was statistically significant at the .05 level. In addition, the preference by female faculty for the Reynolds/Smith code was significant at this same level. The free response comments provided a rich source of information for analysis. Supporters cited the advantages of providing guidance, and increasing awareness of responsibilities and obligations. Several suggested that the university needed a code badly, but should compose a document tailored to this campus instead of adopting an existing code. Opponents, however, were concerned that a code would only add to the existing rules, regulations, and bureaucracy, or that adopting a code would have little effect, with the unethical still behaving unethically. It was recommended that any ethical code proposal be placed before the faculty senate for discussion and debate.