This Graduate Student Code of Conduct is intended to provide guidelines for graduate students in the Geosciences community. All members of the Geosciences Department are subject to their applicable policies and codes of conduct, which include enforceable policies. For reference, several of these university and professional codes of conduct are provided below. This is not an exhaustive list, and other policies may apply depending on the individual.

• University System of Georgia Code of Conduct (applies to all individuals employed by, or acting on behalf of, the USG or one of the USG institutions, of which Georgia State University is one)
• Georgia State University Employee Handbook
• Georgia State University Student Code of Conduct (this one is important!!)
• American Institute of Professional Geologists Code of Ethics (applies to all aspiring and current geologists, particularly licensed Professional Geologists)
• Geological Society of America Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct (applies to all aspiring and current geologists)
• American Association of Geographers Statement on Professional Ethics (applies to all aspiring and current geographers)

As an academic unit of Georgia State University, the Department of Geosciences adheres to the four Core Values of the University System of Georgia that form and guide our daily work, including that of graduate students. These are excerpted from section 8.2.18.1.2 of the USG Policy Manual:

1. Integrity – We will be honest, fair, impartial, and unbiased in our dealings both with and on behalf of the USG.
2. Excellence – We will perform our duties to foster a culture of excellence and high quality in everything we do.
3. Accountability – We firmly believe that education in the form of scholarship, research, teaching, service, and developing others is a public trust. We will live up to this trust through safeguarding our resources and being good stewards of the human, intellectual, physical, and fiscal resources given to our care.
4.  Respect – We recognize the inherent dignity and rights of every person, and we will do our utmost to fulfill our resulting responsibility to treat each person with fairness, compassion, and decency.

In the Department of Geosciences, we will…

• …uphold the highest standards of intellectual and academic honesty, and ensure adherence to the Georgia State University Policy on Academic Dishonesty.
• …contribute to the intellectual discourse by preparing for our classes, treating our learning spaces and times with respect, and attending the lectures of visiting speakers when possible, even if outside our immediate subdiscipline.
• …engage in vigorous discussion and debate, while maintaining respect, trust, and confidentiality as appropriate.
• …treat all faculty, staff, and students with professionalism and respect at all times, even when stressed or frustrated.
• …expect to be treated with professionalism and respect at all times, even when we make mistakes.
• …maintain professional and respectful relationships while avoiding conflicts of interest arising from inherent power relationships (e.g. supervisory or instructional roles).
• …be cognizant of historical prejudices and respectful of the diversity of our community with respect to race, color, sex, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
• …remember that we are the face of Georgia State University and the Department of Geosciences, even during off hours and even while not on campus.
• …use our geographical and geological skills in service to society, providing sound data and reasoned interpretations when called upon, to help protect public safety and improve peoples’ lives.
• …maintain proper certifications, such as Ethics Training, Hazardous Materials and Chemical Safety, Radiation Safety, Human Subjects, and any others as may be required.
• …when conducting field work, follow proper safety protocols, and look after the safety of our colleagues and students.
• …when working with human subjects, follow proper IRB protocols, and ensure the lawful and ethical treatment of all participants.