To attract the best candidates, to retain until closure those who are most competitive, and to fulfill a responsibility to treat candidates confidentially and ethically, the Oberlin Presidential Search Committee commits itself to this Code of Conduct. The search for the new president is an opportunity for Oberlin College to sustain and demonstrate our high ethical standards. Excellent searches win the respect and praise of candidates who are drawn from across the nation, and sometimes, the world. In addition, an effective search will be an opportunity for Oberlin to show itself favorably to many groups and individuals (e.g., national references, academic colleagues, professional associations). Through this Code, the Oberlin Presidential Search Committee commits itself to:

• Create a search environment that respects the rights and dignity of all persons
• Adhere to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct
• Maintain in strict confidence and in perpetuity:

  All information about candidates secured during the search process (e.g., names, written materials, references)

  All search committee conversations and deliberations

• Put aside personal agendas, biases, or political positions so that each candidate has an honest and fair evaluation
• Disclose all conflicts of interest to the chair of the committee or the entire committee
• Represent the institution as a whole rather than individuals or group stakeholders
• Prohibit any search committee member from becoming a candidate for the position
• Work affirmatively to assure a rich, diverse pool of candidates
• Receive candidate permission prior to reference checking
• Establish accuracy of information on candidates
• Provide candidates with full and accurate information about Oberlin College
• Ensure the safety and confidentiality of records after the search is completed, retaining search records in compliance with Oberlin, Ohio, and EEOC guidelines and disposing of records in a manner which retains candidate confidentiality
• Follow all Oberlin by-laws and the laws of the State of Ohio and the nation
• Affirm that only the chair of the committee, Robert Lemle, or someone he may specifically designate, will speak for the committee on any and all matters involving the search

Agreed to and affirmed by:

Robert S. Lemle, chair
Victor L. Hymes, vice-chair
Robert J. Frascino
Erik Inglis
Joseph F. Karlgaard
Courtney Merrell
William L. Robinson
Wendell P. Russell, Jr.
Susan J. Troy
Timothy Weiss
Danette Wineberg

Date: December 9, 2006