The mission of the University of Pennsylvania and its Health System is to offer a world class education to our students, train future leaders of our country, expand and advance research and knowledge, serve our community and society both at home and abroad, and provide the most expert and outstanding health care for our patients. In pursuing this mission, and to ensure the continued excellence of the University and its reputation, all members of the University community need to understand and uphold both legal requirements and the highest of ethical standards.

In the following Principles of Responsible Conduct, we articulate the basic expectations that should guide each of us in our work at Penn. These Principles are embedded within many policies and practices identified throughout University and Health System handbooks, manuals, web-sites and other materials. We have endeavored to distill these policies, rules, and guidelines for easy review and access. The Principles are not intended to be a comprehensive catalogue of all applicable rules and policies of the University and the Health System. Rather, these Principles set forth the underlying expectations that we have for the conduct of University and Health System activities with the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Links to useful sites with relevant policies and resources are included.

We urge you to read these Principles closely and familiarize yourself with both the expectations and the resources provided.

J. Larry Jameson, Interim President
John L. Jackson Jr., Provost
Craig Carnaroli, Senior Executive Vice President
Jonathan A. Epstein, Interim Executive Vice President for the Health System

As reflected in the policies that are identified on this site, Penn has many policies that govern the behavior of all Penn faculty, administration and staff. To better understand the ethical expectations contained in these policies, click on each of the ten principles listed to the right.