Valdosta State University is holding its annual Ethics Awareness Week November 7-13, 2022. It’s part of a University System of Georgia initiative to ensure the Core Values of Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect guide the daily work of students, faculty, and staff.

Watch this video to learn more about the purpose of our annual Ethics Awareness Week:

2022 USG Ethics Week Video

Some highlights include: (See Activity Rules & Course Descriptions After Highlights)

Monday, November 7, 2022

  • Daily Scavenger Hunt: Daily Riddle Winner: Jack Mohanty - Student

    Riddle: When their pockets may be in distress, I provide a fortress with ramen, soap, and dressings for success.

    Hint: Although at the bottom, it’s a top priority!

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  • USG Kickoff Event - Chancellors Chat Event with Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy, 11-12pm Live Stream
  • Ethics Family Feud & Food (Chick-Fil-A- While Supplies Last) Students vs Faculty/Staff, 4-6pm, Student Union Theater
  • Blazer Creed Award Nominations Due by 5:30 pm
  • Student Leaders Values Video Challenge Submissions 

 Tuesday, November 8, 2022 (Election Day)

  • Daily Scavenger Hunt: Daily Riddle Winner: Sierra Freeman - Staff

        Riddle: “What’s in a name”, Blazer Nation? Use EMS for reservation.

        Hint: Yes, 3,2,1! It’s really just that easy. Just think about the famous phrase, I’m not trying to be cheesy.

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  • Cookies for Civility in the Palms: Decorate a cookie and share it with a friend, 11-2pm, Palms
  • Civility in the Workplace, Employee Organizational Development, Wendy Byrd, 9-10am Online Register
  • Student Leaders Values Video Challenge Submissions

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

  • Daily Scavenger Hunt: Daily Riddle Winner: Leah Clark - Staff

        Riddle: VSC knew me best. Back then, I brought the heat to Blazer Nation, I must confess.

        Hint: Mushu, Elliot, and Maleficent are my close kin. In my dwelling place, there’s so much to explore! 

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  • Workplace Integrity, Employee Organizational Development and Internal Audit, Wendy Byrd and Heidi Cox, 1-2pm, The STEAM Center, Rm 1019 Register
  • Tough Ethical Business Decisions, Jim Godbee, CPA, 3:30pm, Health Sciences and Business Administration Building Auditorium
  • Student Leaders Values Video Challenge Submissions

 Thursday, November 10, 2022

  • Daily Scavenger Hunt: Daily Riddle Winner: Leah Clark - Staff

        Riddle: Sharp start in the month after March, this display has a red applique.

        Hint: Stamped with the Blazers’ seal of approval, since 2014, they’ve been taking in pupils. 

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  • USG Best Practices Panel - Steering Ethical Culture During the Great Resignation, 11-12pm Online Register
  • Student Leaders Values Video Challenge Submissions

 Friday, November 11, 2022 (Veterans Day)

  • Daily Scavenger Hunt: Daily Riddle Winner: Donnell Davis - Staff

    Riddle: Deep within the palms & pines, you will find a testament so divine. Groundbreaking steps trailblazed the way. A display of history before you catch your matinee.

    Hint: You really don’t need a hint, you’ll be fine! Just look in the middle of the pillars of nine.

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  • Green Zone Training, Financial Aid, Chad Daughtery, 10am, University Center Cypress Rm Register
  • Student Leaders Values Video Challenge Submissions

 Saturday, November 12, 2022

  • Daily Scavenger Hunt: (no daily prize) 
  • Student Leaders Values Video Challenge Submissions

 Sunday, November 13, 2022

  • Daily Scavenger Hunt: (no daily prize) - Hunt Closes at Midnight
  • Student Leaders Values Video Challenge Submissions - Deadline Midnight

Following Week

  • November 14, 2022: Ethics Week 2022 Scavenger Hunt Grand Prize Winners:
    • Jack Mohanty - Student
    • Sierra Freeman - Staff
  •  November 16,2022: 3:30 pm Presentation of Blazer Creed Awards –  West Hall Conference Room 1002 (President & VP/Supervisor pictures with winners) 

Activity Rules:

Ethics Family Feud & Food (while supplies last)

On Monday evening, November 7, 2022 in the Student Union Theater from 4pm to 6pm - student's vs faculty and staff. Chick-fil-A will be serving and providing sandwiches. 

Scavenger Hunt:

Scavenger Hunt: Interactive activity for students, faculty and staff using QR codes linked to USG Ethics Policies. Monday through Friday a riddle will be emailed to the campus each morning and posted to the Ethics Website. The daily “Winner” will be announced via the Ethics Website and will receive a daily prize to be picked up at the Internal Audit Office. The "Scavenger Hunt" will close on Sunday,  November 13, 2022 at Midnight. Each participant who finds at least one QR code and answers the question correctly will be entered for one of the two grand prizes (see Eligible Winners below on how to submit your answers). Grand Prizes will be awarded to one student and one faculty/staff the following Tuesday 11/15/2022 for a special parking permit that will be issued for the entire semester by Parking & Transportation and other cool VSU prizes.

Eligible winners MUST:

  1. Scan the QR code provided in daily email that is linked to the USG Ethics Policies and answer the question generated by the QR code correctly, and
  2. Email internalaudit@valdosta.edu the correct riddle location
  3. Internal Audit will validate the participant’s QR code for eligibility

Blazer Creed Award:

Nominations Open October 24, 2022 until Monday, November 7, 2022 at 5:30 pm

Nominate (limit 2) using the following form (nomination form) a faculty, staff, or student who meet the following one of the following criteria: 

  • Civility: A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.
  • Integrity: Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.
  • Citizenship: Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

Student Leader Values Video Challenge:

Begins October 24, 2022 and submissions are due November 7, 2022 

Theme: Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect || Hashtag #blazersvalueschallenge

Using Instagram Reels: use fun and creative ways to demonstrate: 'what do these values mean to you as a student leader and/or group?'

Values Video Example Video 

Video Criteria

  • Quality
  • Creativity
  • Relevance
  • Originality
  • Aesthetics
  • Fun
  • Encouraging

Rules

  1. Open to student leaders/organizations
  2. Submit one (1) video to ethicsweek@valdosta.edu and include within the email your name, student organization, advisor and contact number.
  3. Follows the Instagram Reels Community Guidelines
  4. Upholds the Student/Employee Code of Conduct
  5. Videos will be judged on the 7 criteria as stated above and the top video will be selected as winner and will receive the grand prize. Winning video will be announced on VSU's Instagram account/Social Media on November 14, 2022.

Course Descriptions

Civility in the Workplace - November 8, 2022 9-10 am Online

Civility is one of the core values of the Blazer Creed. This session introduces the concept of civility in the workplace. The content focuses on understanding and identifying civility and incivility, responding to incivility, and what you can do to help foster civility in the workplace. Participants will learn to:

  • Describe what civility means
  • Explain the importance of civility in the workplace
  • Identify uncivil behavior
  • Understand why people act uncivil
  • Respond effectively to uncivil behavior
  • Demonstrate and promote civility in the workplace

Workplace Integrity - November 9, 2022 1-3 pm In-Person

Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty. Join this session and learn sound personal leadership principles and skills that will assist you in doing the right thing, the right way, and for the right reasons.  Participants will learn key traits of integrity, understand why integrity is important, learn how to demonstrate integrity in the work environment, and explore solutions to workplace scenarios. 

Green Zone Training - November 11, 2022 10-11 am In-Person

The purpose of Green Zone training is to empower VSU to support student veterans as they transition from military life to a college environment. Green Zone stickers identify a safe place for student veterans where VSU faculty and staff have a deeper understanding and appreciation of their military experiences and can assist and connect them to available resources.