USG Strengthens Commitment to Ethical Culture Through Ethics Awareness Week

The University System of Georgia (USG) is committed to the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct in pursuit of its mission to create knowledge. Accomplishing this mission demands integrity, good judgment and dedication to public service from all members of the USG community. Annually, the USG highlights this commitment through an Ethics Awareness Week which is scheduled this year for November 3–9, 2025. The purpose of this week is to remind employees of our commitment to an ethical culture and our shared ethical values and expectations. 

Ethics Awareness Week is part of a comprehensive Ethics and Compliance Program. This Program includes a system-level Ethics Policy and Code of Conduct, on-board ethics training, periodic ethics refresher training, compliance audits, special reviews and an Ethics and Compliance Reporting Hotline.

In support of this effort, Gordon State College will be hosting activities to build upon our ethical culture by promoting activities related to our system-wide shared core values of integrity, excellence, accountability and respect. We will emphasize that, in addition to our ethical values, our Code of Conduct is the foundation of the USG’s priorities of degree attainment, affordability and efficiency. 

Activities during this week will bring awareness to ethics, reinforce the principles of recognizing the hard work of employees, and promote our shared values. Our theme for this week is the “SPIRIT of USG.”  Activities planned will emphasize:

Stewardship. Prevention. Integrity. Responsibility. Inspiration. Trust.

A Special message from gordon state college

usg kickoff video

Activities planned for this week are as follows:

All Week Long

  • Donation Boxes will be located around campus to accept items for the Highlander House Food Pantry. For a list of Dorm-Friendly Items in high demand, click here.

Donations can also be dropped off at Human Resources in The Georgia House.

Monday, November 3

  • USG Chancellor's Event Watch Party – Leading with Integrity in a Complex World (1st Floor of the Library) – 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. [If you are unable to attend, it can be viewed at this link ].
  • Policy of the Day: USG Ethics Policy

 

Tuesday, November 4

 

Wednesday, November 5

  • A Day of Shredding! – Familiarize yourself with the USG Records Retentions Schedule and clean out your files. Secure boxes will be located around campus to dispose of your files all week long and Central Receiving will have them shredded for you! Shred bins will be located in Russell Hall, outside of the mail room, downstairs in the IC building, and in the Academic Building. To learn more about the location closest to you, please reach out to hr@gordonstate.edu for more information.
  • Policy of the Day: Records Retention Policy
  • USG Records Retentions Schedules – This document offers guidance on how long you are required to retain records and gives clear instructions on when records should be disposed of.

 

Thursday, November 6 

  • Ethics Week Escape Room: The Code of Conduct – 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the 2nd Floor of the Library. Admission is an item for the Highlander House Food Pantry. There will be prizes!
  • Policy of the Day: Conflict of Interest Policy

 

Friday, November 7

  • USG presents Best Practices Panel Discussion – The Compliance Catalyst: Leadership that Shapes Culture - 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. [Link to Register for the Event]