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USCC/CCA CODE OF ETHICS AND ETHICAL PRACTICES
1.
CODE OF ETHICS
Preamble
The
Commission on Certification and Accreditation [CCA] of the United
States Catholic Conference [USCC] serves the broader interests
of society by the high level of competence that it demands from
those who receive its official approval through the processes
of accreditation and certification.
The Commission must remain constantly on the alert for the potential
of unethical behavior, and act promptly and appropriately to resolve
problems which threaten to diminish public respect for Catholic
ministry.
Members of the Commission are presumed to be Roman Catholic and
to have embraced an ethical way of life in the conduct of personal
and professional affairs.
This code applies both to the Commission as an entity and to the
Commissioners as individuals.
A. The Commission's ethical principles are:
SUBSIDIARITY: The Commission participates in the Bishops'
responsibility for the preparation of individuals for ministry
in the church.
ACCOUNTABILITY: The Commission is accountable to the USCC for
ensuring the quality of formation and education programs that
prepare persons for ministry in the church.
JUSTICE: The Commission's policies and manner of administration
will reflect a Christian spirit of concern for the dignity of
every person, especially of those who are most vulnerable. it
will assure that the certification standards and procedures of
the reviewed organizations and programs will conform to the principles
of Christian morality and equity, and will thereby show its special
concern for the spiritual, moral, and theological preparation
of candidates.
The Commission will be impartial in the interpretation of its
criteria for reviewing certification standards and procedures.
The Commission shall have its own established process for handling
appeals, complaints, and grievances.
COLLABORATION: The Commission will be open to dialogue with organizations
and programs which seek its advice and approval for certification
or accreditation.
B. Commissioners will conduct themselves according to the highest
standards of
OBJECTIVITY: The Commissioners themselves must consistently act
for the good of the church. A balance of conscientious representation
and concern for all shall govern their determinations of policy
and of objective review. Commissioners will reject every possibility
of personal or organizational advantage which might be theirs
by reason of privileged information or of the power of decision-making
which follows from their appointment.
Commissioners shall receive no favors or gifts that could influence
their actions.
PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY: Honesty and professional competence are
expected of all Commission members. Commissioners are responsible
for their own professional development.
AVOIDANCE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Conflicts of interest are to
be avoided and, should they arise, must be dealt with and resolved
promptly and appropriately.
Members of the Commission shall withdraw from the decision-making
process when the decision might bring unfair advantage to any
organization, institution, or program with which they are associated.
JUST REPRESENTATION: Commission members may speak in the name
of the Commission only when authorized to do so by office or circumstance.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE: Commissioners shall not receive compensation
for their service to the Commission.
H. ETHICAL PRACTICES OF THE COMMISSION
In order to implement the intent of the Code of Ethics and Ethical
Practices, the following guidelines direct the Commission to:
Select quality evaluators and consultants and provide them
with training concerning the Commission's accreditation and certification
standards and procedures;
Evaluate or visit a program only on the invitation of the proper
delegate of the sponsoring group or institution and with the appropriate
ecclesiastical approbation;
Allow the directors of programs being evaluated to review the
names of proposed evaluators;
Allow a program to be evaluated on its own stated goals and purposes
as long as these come within the general purpose and standards
established by the Commission;
Provide appropriate assistance to the program being evaluated;
Require programs being evaluated to use the self-study as an evaluation
tool and planning guide;
Respect the option of programs to 'Withdraw from the accreditation
process at any time prior to final action by the Commission;
Develop an evaluation report that gives an adequate analysis of
the program, including clear statements concerning areas of strength
and those where improvement is needed-,
Send the administrator of the sponsoring institution and the director
of the program a copy of the evaluation report-,
Treat the contents of the evaluation report as confidential, but
with the understanding that this information may be available
to other agencies which accredit the program, to those from whom
they are seeking accreditation, or to authorized governmental
or law enforcement agencies;
Respect the right of a program to make any use of the evaluation
report it deems appropriate;
Give notice to the appropriate ecclesiastical authority and to
the director of the program when revocation of accreditation is
being considered and allow time for a response.
III. ETHICAL PRACTICES FOR SITE VISITORS
A. In Preparation For A Site Visit
Site visitors are thorough in their preparation for a site
visit. This is evidenced by a careful reading and evaluation
of
the Self-Study Report. Site visitors forward concerns, questions,
and evaluations to the site visit team chairperson by the assigned
date. The site visit chairperson communicates promptly with the
program director concerning missing documentation in the Self-Study
Report.
B. During The Site Visit
Site Visitors are mindful that they are appointed evaluators
of the USCC Commission on Certification and Accreditation, and
that they represent but do not speak in the name of the USCC or
for the Commission. Site visitors are faithful in matters of doctrine
and hold the Church, its magisterium, and leaders in respect by
their words and actions. In conversing during the site visit,
site visitors distinguish clearly between evaluations and statements
they make as individuals and statements that are representative
of the site team as a whole,
Site visitors are honest in their conversations, oral evaluations,
and written reports. This is evidenced by evaluating the program
in the light of its Mission Statement, goals, objectives, and
standards, and not in the light of one person's judgments or expectations.
Site visitors demonstrate the utmost courtesy to those hosting
the site visit, as well as program personnel, persons, interviewed,
and members of the site visit team. This evidenced by acknowledging
the unique characteristics of the program and diocese and the
education, experience, and personal gifts of the site team members.
Site visitors listen carefully to information conveyed, and seek
information or clarification in a nonthreatening manner.
Site visitors work in a collaborative manner. This is evidenced
by participating in the entire site visit and appearing for all
sessions and interviews on time. Site visitors openly share with
the other members of the site team information that they know
would be pertinent to the review of the program. Site visitors
express an openness to the contributions of the other site visitors
with both verbal and non-verbal feedback of what is said.
Site visitors maintain in word and action appropriate professional
conduct with all those encountered during the site visit.
Site visitors do not accept favors or gifts from those associated
with the program that could be construed as influencing their
review.
C. After The Site Visit
The Site Visit Report should represent a consensus of the
entire team. The Site Visit Report is written following the guidelines
for writing a report and returned to the Commission office by
the assigned date.
Site visitors hold in the strictest confidence the information
learned during a site visit about a program, its administration,
faculty, students, and operations.
Site visitors quickly return to the Commission office accurate
travel report forms and cash reimbursement checks promptly.
