Mission and Code of Ethics

Mission

The mission statement of the college is currently being revised. The mission statement as of April 2006 is:

Community College of Rhode Island will:

provide an ambitious array of post-secondary occupational programs and courses designed to prepare students for, and enhance their competence in, paraprofessional and technical jobs in business and industry beyond what might be achieved in high school.
offer programs and courses designed for students who wish to transfer their credits to other institutions of higher education, and will work closely with other Rhode Island institutions to develop and improve articulation and transfer programs.
give special attention to the quality of its offerings and the effectiveness of its instruction.
provide such student services as may be necessary to a student’s academic progress and as are feasible.
provide adult residents of Rhode Island with open access to post-secondary education.
make its facilities available to community groups and the public in general at as low a cost as possible.
sponsor a wide range of non-profit forums, workshops, seminars, courses, lectures, exhibitions, concerts, shows and tours.
assist community organizations, local businesses and industries, and appropriate state and municipal government agencies to develop and enhance their own educational programs, and will work with these groups to further the State’s economic development objectives.
involve community representatives in establishing and evaluating its programs and activities where feasible.

The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is an institution whose paramount mission is the enhancement of growth and learning in every one of its members--students, staff, faculty, administrators and members of the Board of Governors. Membership in this institution involves both privileges and obligations. To preserve the balance between these, and to ensure congruence between all college activities and the college mission, the College has formulated a Code of Ethics by which institutional and individual decisions shall be measured. Broadly interpreted, this code expresses a commitment of conscience; that is, we pledge to conduct our affairs, in spirit as well as in letter, with honesty, frankness, and integrity. The following are essential to this commitment:

The terms of this Code of Ethics are to be taken by each member of the CCRI community as a guide in all dealings pertinent to this institution.
The principle of academic freedom shall in no way be dishonored.
The resolution of conflicts shall be guided by traditionally held, fundamental, and commonly understood principles of honesty, mutual respect, justice, fair play, and equity.
The allocation of institutional resources shall be governed by this Code of Ethics, as permitted by the availability of these resources.
The ethical obligations incurred by faculty and staff because of membership in professional organizations external to this institution should be upheld by those individuals. This statement should not be construed to conflict with other such codes of ethics. In no case would it be considered appropriate for anyone to treat professional standards glibly or irresponsibly.

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