As part of the University, SMU Academy desires and expects all participants to conduct themselves in a manner that contributes positively to an environment in which respect, professionalism and civility is valued.
The code of conduct sets out the standards of conduct expected of participants. These expectations are intended to facilitate meaningful engagement and enhance learning. Participants should conduct themselves in a professional and civil manner at all times. This code of conduct holds an individual/ group responsible for the consequences of their actions. Failure to abide by the guidelines may result in them being removed from a course(s), affect their eligibility for course funding, and if warranted, reported to the relevant authorities.
General Guidelines
- To respect the rights of fellow participants to participate in the Academy’s learning activities and engage in relationships with other participants without fear or threat.
- To treat all members of the SMU community with courtesy, respect, and dignity.
- To refrain from derogatory comments, epithets, as well as racial, ethnic, sexual, and religious slurs.
- To engage in respectful and rational debate in areas of difference and disagreement.
- To refrain from unwelcome behaviour, advances, or requests of a sexual, offensive, intimidating, or harassing nature, which would detrimentally affect any reasonable person under the same circumstances, or any attempt or engagement in any sexual contact or activity with other persons without their expressed consent.
- To refrain from displaying aggressive, offensive, or intimidating behaviour, which would detrimentally affect any reasonable person under the same circumstances.
- To refrain from stealing, damaging, defacing, or misusing the property, facilities, or infrastructure of SMU and the Academy.
- To respect the right of others to use facilities and infrastructure.
- To refrain from any act that disrupts Academy operations, services, or resources, or interferes with the rights of others to freely participate in Academy operations, services or resources, or misuses Academy operations, services or resources for unlawful activities or acts of mischief.
- To be honest and truthful in dealings with the Academy.
- To respect the health and safety of others and to comply with applicable Laws.
- To comply with policies, rules and regulations of the University, the Academy, and the funding agencies.
- To be punctual, fully present, participate in class activities and contribute to group work as required.
- To take and submit the required assignments/assessments within the stipulated time frame.
- To provide and submit feedback on the last day of the course.
- To dress presentably, modestly, and respectfully.
- To understand that the Academy reserves the right to not accept new applicants and/ or immediately suspend/ dismiss existing participants who have prior violations or fail to comply with the code of conduct, policies, rules and regulations of the University, the Academy, and the funding agencies.
Guidelines for Virtual Learning Sessions
Virtual learning (via platforms such as Zoom, MS Teams, etc.) is a vital component of online education at the Academy. Given the constraints of the medium, all participants partaking in such sessions are expected to adhere to the following rules and best practices in addition to the general guidelines above, to ensure the best possible learning outcome for everyone.
- To ensure the account being used should be identified by the participant’s full name (as per NRIC if applicable).
- To ensure the webcam is turned on throughout the learning session with the participant’s face fully visible.
- To mute the microphone when not speaking.
- To keep background noise to a minimum.
- To not smoke or consume alcohol during lessons.
- To not publish, solicit or promote service(s) during the lesson.
