Code of Ethics for Faculty, Students, and Graduates of The New Seminary
Preamble
The New Seminary, seeking to promote integrity both in the teaching and practice of spiritual counseling and in the preparation of interfaith ministers and interfaith ministries, has established this code of ethics for students, faculty and graduates. Bound by the following precepts which respect the fundamental rights, dignity and worth of all people, we dedicate ourselves to excellence in the preparation and performance of our service.
Precepts
We will refrain from discrimination: We agree not to discriminate against anyone on the basis of age, color, gender, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, economic status, mental or physical ability. We will refrain from misuse of intoxicating/mid-altering substances: We agree not to use intoxicating/mind-altering substances before or during seminary classes, retreats, or functions. We further agree not to misuse such substances at any time. Any substance abuse problem may be brought in confidence to the attention of the Directors.
We will refrain from sexual misconduct: Acknowledging that a sexual relationship between a teacher and a student or a spiritual counselor and a client is inappropriate, we agree to avoid creating harm through sexuality. We therefore agree to avoid sexual harassment, exploitation, or advances towards fellow students, teachers, and clients. We also agree to refrain from accepting advances from any student, faculty member, or client. We agree that, should such a relationship develop, we will not pursue it until the teacher/student or counselor/client relationship has ended, preferably not for a year.
We will refrain from false speech: We agree to speak that which is true and useful and to refrain from gossiping about our classmates, faculty or staff. We agree to cultivate conscious and clean communication and to further develop the quality of loving kindness and honesty as the basis for our speech.
We will refrain from false representation: On one level, we agree not to plagiarize the work of another by using material without citing the author, source, publisher, and copyright date. On another, we agree to avoid claiming, directly or indirectly through implication, any professional qualifications that exceed those we have already obtained. In addition, we agree not to misrepresent ourselves in any advertising, website, media, or communications.
We agree to seek supervision: We acknowledge the need for supervision and guidance beyond our years of study at the New Seminary, as situations may arise in our own classrooms, ministries, and counseling practices that challenge our personal judgment and go beyond our professional abilities. Because of this, we agree to have a supervisor we can call upon to advise us in these circumstances.
We agree to maintain confidentiality: We acknowledge the sacred relationship that exists between a spiritual counselor and a client, between a minister and the community served, and, due to the deeply self-examining nature of our studies, between a student and a member of the faculty. In order to facilitate the creation of a safe space in which dreams and ideas, doubts and confusions, and actual life experiences can be shared, we consider it of fundamental importance to keep the information entrusted to us in the strictest confidence. We therefore agree to discuss such privileged conversation with no one, except, and only on rare occasions, with our supervisor or the ethics committee.
We agree to uphold the ethical principles of the spiritual path we follow: The moral outlooks of most religious are basically quite similar. Whether our own practice are based on the Ten Commandments, the Eightfold Path, the yoga sutras of Patanjali, or any other moral guidelines, we agree to allow their ethical principles to guide our thoughts, our words, and our actions.
We agree to pursue our continued spiritual growth: As students, ministers and faculty of the New Seminary, we agree to continue our spiritual practice in order to deepen our connection to our Divine Source and to each other. We agree to the necessity for continuing education: Whether we are enrolled in the New Seminary or are graduates or faculty of it, we understand that there is always more to learn. Therefore, we agree to dedicate ourselves to continued education in graduate studies, retreats, workshops, or whatever other form that takes.
We agree to promote the values of The New Seminary: As we are affiliated with an interfaith seminary that includes most religions and belief systems in its embrace of spirituality and light, we agree to live by this vision of inclusiveness. We agree to report any abuse or ethical violations: We agree not to interfere in the personal affairs of students, graduates, or faculty unless we feel someone is placed in danger or that the ethical standards of The New Seminary have been compromised. In such a case, we agree to report the incident to the directors, the ethics committee and/ or the proper authorities.
Preamble
The New Seminary, seeking to promote integrity both in the teaching and practice of spiritual counseling and in the preparation of interfaith ministers and interfaith ministries, has established this code of ethics for students, faculty and graduates. Bound by the following precepts which respect the fundamental rights, dignity and worth of all people, we dedicate ourselves to excellence in the preparation and performance of our service.
Precepts
We will refrain from discrimination: We agree not to discriminate against anyone on the basis of age, color, gender, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, economic status, mental or physical ability. We will refrain from misuse of intoxicating/mid-altering substances: We agree not to use intoxicating/mind-altering substances before or during seminary classes, retreats, or functions. We further agree not to misuse such substances at any time. Any substance abuse problem may be brought in confidence to the attention of the Directors.
We will refrain from sexual misconduct: Acknowledging that a sexual relationship between a teacher and a student or a spiritual counselor and a client is inappropriate, we agree to avoid creating harm through sexuality. We therefore agree to avoid sexual harassment, exploitation, or advances towards fellow students, teachers, and clients. We also agree to refrain from accepting advances from any student, faculty member, or client. We agree that, should such a relationship develop, we will not pursue it until the teacher/student or counselor/client relationship has ended, preferably not for a year.
We will refrain from false speech: We agree to speak that which is true and useful and to refrain from gossiping about our classmates, faculty or staff. We agree to cultivate conscious and clean communication and to further develop the quality of loving kindness and honesty as the basis for our speech.
We will refrain from false representation: On one level, we agree not to plagiarize the work of another by using material without citing the author, source, publisher, and copyright date. On another, we agree to avoid claiming, directly or indirectly through implication, any professional qualifications that exceed those we have already obtained. In addition, we agree not to misrepresent ourselves in any advertising, website, media, or communications.
We agree to seek supervision: We acknowledge the need for supervision and guidance beyond our years of study at the New Seminary, as situations may arise in our own classrooms, ministries, and counseling practices that challenge our personal judgment and go beyond our professional abilities. Because of this, we agree to have a supervisor we can call upon to advise us in these circumstances.
We agree to maintain confidentiality: We acknowledge the sacred relationship that exists between a spiritual counselor and a client, between a minister and the community served, and, due to the deeply self-examining nature of our studies, between a student and a member of the faculty. In order to facilitate the creation of a safe space in which dreams and ideas, doubts and confusions, and actual life experiences can be shared, we consider it of fundamental importance to keep the information entrusted to us in the strictest confidence. We therefore agree to discuss such privileged conversation with no one, except, and only on rare occasions, with our supervisor or the ethics committee.
We agree to uphold the ethical principles of the spiritual path we follow: The moral outlooks of most religious are basically quite similar. Whether our own practice are based on the Ten Commandments, the Eightfold Path, the yoga sutras of Patanjali, or any other moral guidelines, we agree to allow their ethical principles to guide our thoughts, our words, and our actions.
We agree to pursue our continued spiritual growth: As students, ministers and faculty of the New Seminary, we agree to continue our spiritual practice in order to deepen our connection to our Divine Source and to each other. We agree to the necessity for continuing education: Whether we are enrolled in the New Seminary or are graduates or faculty of it, we understand that there is always more to learn. Therefore, we agree to dedicate ourselves to continued education in graduate studies, retreats, workshops, or whatever other form that takes.
We agree to promote the values of The New Seminary: As we are affiliated with an interfaith seminary that includes most religions and belief systems in its embrace of spirituality and light, we agree to live by this vision of inclusiveness. We agree to report any abuse or ethical violations: We agree not to interfere in the personal affairs of students, graduates, or faculty unless we feel someone is placed in danger or that the ethical standards of The New Seminary have been compromised. In such a case, we agree to report the incident to the directors, the ethics committee and/ or the proper authorities.
