Ethics in Advising: Knowing When to Say When
Confidentiality
- Most referral sources cannot by law, ethics or professional practice confirm attendance of referred individual or share any information about the individual as related to that office.
- Advisers should maintain similar standards of confidentiality with anyone outside of the referral source.
- The Response and Review Team will act prudently in all matters related to confidentiality.
- Limits to confidentiality allow each department/profession to notify appropriate persons at appropriate times.
Boundaries
- Do not “adopt” students.
- Do not take responsibility for advisee.
- Let them make decisions, unless this is an emergency/crisis situation.
- Respect the limits of what they want to share with you.
- Do not impose your own biases on the student; provide information only.
- Do not take personally any action or inaction by the student.
- It is okay to ask them how they are doing after a referral, but do so in a noninvasive manner.
- Do not take concern home with you.
- Make an appointment for yourself to “debrief” after a situation.
- Be available within your own limits and comfort zone.