{"id":133974,"date":"2021-12-07T16:44:09","date_gmt":"2021-12-07T15:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=133974"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:26:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:02","slug":"act-normal-but-what-does-that-mean-eur-sets-out-values-and-standards-in-integrity-code","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2021\/12\/07\/act-normal-but-what-does-that-mean-eur-sets-out-values-and-standards-in-integrity-code\/","title":{"rendered":"Act normal<\/em>, but what does that mean? EUR sets out values and standards in Integrity code"},"content":{"rendered":"

How should you behave as a student or researcher? Are you allowed to have a relationship with a subordinate? What are the values that the academic community strives to achieve? And how do you know whether what is normal <\/em>to you is experienced as such by your colleagues or fellow students? The new Integrity code being presented on Tuesday offers a guide.<\/p>\n

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Even Desiderius would have to adapt to modern day ethics.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tikRotterdam<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

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Ana Uribe Sandoval during a lecture.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWouter Sterrenburg<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

On behalf of the University Council, Ana Uribe Sandoval was closely involved in developing the code. \u201cWhen I came to work here, I\u2019d often hear people telling each other to act normal<\/em>. But what is normal? Not everyone has the same idea of what is normal, and views are constantly changing. Ten years ago, you could make a sexist or racist comment here without anyone saying anything.\u201d Nor had much been written about the values of the academic community. For years, there was only a short document which had barely been updated since 2002.<\/p>\n

Basisprincipes<\/h2>

The new Code of Integrity <\/em><\/a>is much more detailed. The 32-page document summarises the values of Erasmus University: \u2018Erasmians\u2019 are engaged, global citizens, bridge builders, enterprising and open-minded. The code of basic principles is derived from these values: reliable, respectful, transparent, and cooperative.<\/p>\n

In many places, the code also refers to more specific regulations, for example about research integrity, use of ICT facilities or personal relationships. \u201cAs such, this code also provides a kind of structure to these regulations, an overarching document containing all the various regulations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Disadvantaged by a relationship<\/h2>\n\t
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\n\t\t\u2018It\u2019s not a document of rules and sanctions. It reflects who we are and what we are striving to achieve\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

For Uribe Sandoval, the regulation for personal relationships is one of the most important new sections of the new code. \u201cThis is a serious issue. I know various EUR colleagues who felt disadvantaged at work due to an existing or former relationship, both on a personal and professional level. Job candidates wonder how and whether they should mention incidents or relationships during interviews, and how mentioning it will affect their chances of getting a new or better position. These regulations provide more clarity about what you should mention and to whom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Various members of the University Council helped write the code, says Uribe Sandoval, including herself. She feels it is very important that the council played a role. \u201cOur university\u2019s mission is creating positive societal impact<\/em>. But how can you impact society if you don\u2019t first have an impact on your own community?\u201d This document helps, in a positive way: \u201cIt\u2019s not a document of rules and sanctions. It reflects who we are and what we are striving to achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sensitive issues<\/h2>

The code could have provided direction for recent sensitive issues, such as the e-mail survey among employees in her faculty, the racist messages in a student WhatsApp group, or the sexual violence against a female ESHCC student, Uribe Sandoval feels. \u201cThere are no easy answers, but it gives a framework that people can fall back on. For example, it says \u2018We are transparent\u2019, so using this code you can also say: but you were supposed to be so transparent?\u201d<\/p>\n

Uribe Sandoval is glad that we now have the document. \u201cBut it\u2019s a living <\/em>document that must be updated. I\u2019m sure it will soon need additions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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