Ethics Week Activities
The University System of Georgia (USG) is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in its mission to generate knowledge. Achieving this mission requires integrity, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to public service from every member of the USG community. To highlight this commitment, USG annually observes Ethics Awareness Week, which will take place this year from November 3-9, 2025. The purpose of this week is to remind all employees of our collective dedication to an ethical culture and the shared values and expectations we uphold.
Ethics Awareness Week is part of a broader Ethics and Compliance Program, which includes a system-wide Ethics Policy and Code of Conduct, onboarding ethics training, periodic refresher courses, compliance audits, special reviews, and an Ethics and Compliance Reporting Hotline.
In line with this initiative, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø will host activities designed to strengthen our ethical culture, focusing on the system-wide core values of integrity, excellence, accountability, and respect. We will underscore the importance of these values, alongside our Code of Conduct, as the foundation of USG's priorities, including degree attainment, affordability, and efficiency. The planned activities for this week will raise awareness about ethics, celebrate the hard work of our employees, and promote the values that unite us. Our theme for the week is “Celebrating Our Ethical Culture,” with activities that will highlight:
1. Join the Mosaic: Color, Snack and Celebrate Ethics Week
Student Union- Rotunda 12:00PM-2:00PM
2. USG Chancellor's Chat -Leading with Integrity 1:00PM
LIVE STREAM:
3. Blazer Creed Award Nominations Due
Blazer Creed Award: Nominations begin 10/20/25 and end 11/3/25 by 5:00PM. Award winners will be announced on Wednesday 11/12/25 at 12pm in the Sue Cox Executive Dining Room.
1. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Ethics Panel-AI Focus
Lunch-N-Learn
University Center Cypress Room
12:00PM - 1:00PM
2. Understanding Conflicts of Interest in Higher Education
3:00PM University Center Cypress
The purpose of this training is to raise awareness among faculty, staff, and students about conflicts of interest, how to recognize them, and how to manage or avoid them in a college environment. The goal is to promote transparency, fairness, and integrity within academic and administrative activities, ensuring that personal, financial, or professional interests do not interfere with the college's mission. We will also share the process for faculty and staff to submit outside employment/activities per the USG Conflict of Interest, Conflicts of Commitment, and Outside Activities policy.
Chief Audit Officer Heidi Cox and Deputy Chief HR Officer Wendy Byrd
Heidi Cox Chief Audit Officer
Wendy Byrd, Deputy Chief HR Officer
1. Chalk About Ethics Competition-10:00AM-2:00PM
Palms Quad2. Green Zone Training-11:00AM
1. The First Amendment - 10AM
USG Attorney Josiah Height
2. Law Enforcement Ethics Panel -5:30PM
North Campus Pound Hall Auditorium
Panel:
- Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Chief of Police – Chris Hughes
- City of Valdosta Chief of Police – Leslie Manahan
- Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant - Joe Dukes
- Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Criminal Justice Professor – Dr. Fred Knowles
- Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Criminal Justice Professor – Dr. Shani Wilfred
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Chief of Police – Chris Hughes
City of Valdosta Chief of Police – Leslie Manahan
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Criminal Justice Professor – Dr. Fred Knowles
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Criminal Justice Professor – Dr. Shani Wilfred
Office of Internal Audit
- West Hall Office 1301A 1500 N. Patterson St. Valdosta, Georgia 31698
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Mailing Address
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta, GA 31698 - Phone
- Phone: 229.245.2491
- 8:00AM-5:00PM Monday - Friday