Board of Trustees
The University of West Alabama

CODE OF ETHICS

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the University of West Alabama, on June 6, 2005, adopted a resolution entitled "Code of Ethics," and

WHEREAS, in accordance with accreditation requirements and emerging principles of institutional governance, the Board of Trustees now wishes to adopt as policy those elements described in this resolution and to recommit itself to the principles reflected therein; and

WHEREAS, effective governance of the University of West Alabama depends upon the willingness of the Board of Trustees to give its time and energy for the benefit of the institution and the people of the state; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Trustees hold positions of public trust and act in a fiduciary capacity that requires unquestioned confidence in their professional integrity on the part of all of the institution's constituencies; and

WHEREAS, in exercising its responsibilities, the Board of Trustees should conduct its affairs in a way that will demonstrate that its decisions are based solely and entirely upon an understanding of what is in the best interests of the University of West Alabama; and

WHEREAS, the University of West Alabama Board of Trustees should consist of individuals with diverse backgrounds and successful involvement in business, industry, the professions, government, and other endeavors and, as a result, such members necessarily bring with them potential exposure to decisions that may directly or indirectly affect their outside business or professional responsibilities or their personal interests; and

WHEREAS, service on a governing board carries with it a requirement of loyalty and fidelity to the institution served, and it is the responsibility of the members of the board to govern the institution's affairs honestly, effectively and economically, and to render independent judgments where the benefit of the institution is the sole concern; and

WHEREAS, the University of West Alabama Board of Trustees desires that all of its transactions should be conducted in compliance with the highest ethical and moral standards, and further in compliance with applicable law and in an environment where the University's constituencies are assured that any potential duality of interest or possible conflict of interest of any member of the Board shall be fully disclosed and such member shall have no involvement in any decision where such a conflict is present.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of the University of West Alabama, as follows:

1. A member of the Board of Trustees shall, when making decisions in that capacity, exercise independent judgment so that no minority cohort of the Board, or organization or interest separate from the Board, controls the decisions of the Board, and accordingly, such that the sole concern of each member is the benefit of the institution.

2. A member of the Board of Trustees shall not use his or her position on the Board of Trustees of the University of West Alabama to profit financially from any service on the Board of Trustees, except by receiving normal and customary reimbursement for expenses for service as a Trustee.

3. In order to avoid any potential or real conflict of interest involving the position of a Trustee of the University of West Alabama and any business or economic interest which said member of the Board has, the Board member shall fully and publicly disclose said interest and will not participate in the discussion, debate, or voting upon said matter. Said disclosure shall be duly noted in the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Trustees or committee, if appropriate. The Board of Trustees, or a duly charged committee thereof, has the responsibility for administering the disclosures required in this Code of Ethics.

4. No member of the Board of Trustees shall disclose confidential information regarding current or planned decisions or actions to others that may have a detrimental or adverse impact on the University.

5. Upon appointment to the Board and thereafter at each annual meeting, each member of the Board of Trustees shall affirm that he or she has reviewed this Code of Ethics and will comply with its requirements on a form and in a manner set forth by the Board of Trustees, or a duly charged committee thereof.

I have reviewed this Code of Ethics and agree to comply with its requirements.

Signature of Board Member                                                        Date