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Tāwharau Ora - School of Veterinary Science BVSc Student Code of Conduct , Tikanga Whanonga Ngaio

As a BVSc student at Massey University, you are part of a profession dedicated to the health and welfare of animals, the protection of public health, and the advancement of scientific knowledge. You are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical behaviour, personal integrity and professional conduct from the outset of your training.

This Code of Conduct outlines the expectations for BVSc students regarding behaviour, responsibilities and interactions within the academic, clinical, and community environment. This code applies to all Massey University BVSc students whether in New Zealand or overseas.

1, Collegiality and professionalism

  1. Students must treat peers, staff (at Massey and on placements) and clients with dignity, respect, and fairness regardless of background, beliefs, identity, or status.
  2. Bullying, harassment, discrimination, or other unprofessional behaviour will not be tolerated.
  3. While your clinical supervisor is responsible for obtaining consent for your interaction with animals, you may still need to ask owners for their permission to interact with them and their animals.
  4. Students must recognise the level of their skills, experience and knowledge, and not represent themself as more competent or qualified than they are. Specifically, they must not give assistance, advice or provide information to clients, family members or the general public, which is beyond their knowledge and expertise. If asked, they should direct that person to an appropriate professional.
  5. Students must contribute positively to group work, team learning, and shared clinical duties, including communicating respectfully during times of stress or disagreement.
  6. Students must present themselves professionally and with a standard of dress appropriate to the working and clinical environment.

2, Ethical practice and professional integrity

  1. Students must be honest in communication, respectful in feedback, and accountable for their actions. Upholding the reputation and trust placed in the profession and Tāwharau Ora is a shared responsibility. Any unethical or unsafe behaviour must be reported through appropriate institutional channels.
  2. Attendance and punctuality for scheduled learning and clinical activities are expected – unexcused absences or lateness undermine the learning of yourself and others and the integrity of the programme.
  3. Communication with faculty, staff, and peers must be timely, courteous and constructive.
  4. The use of animals in teaching is a privilege that carries ethical and legal responsibilities. Students must treat all teaching animals with care, respect, and compassion, in line with institutional animal welfare protocols, approved animal ethics guidelines and relevant laws. Any concerns regarding animal welfare must be reported immediately to the supervising veterinary professional.

3, Personal learning and professional development

  1. Students must commit to continued learning and the development of skills by actively engaging with all educational and clinical opportunities.
  2. Students must take responsibility for their learning by identifying areas for growth and seeking support or resources as needed.
  3. Students must act with integrity in all learning and assessment situations and abide by Massey University's academic integrity policy.
  4. Students must show respect when working with all learning resources (including live animals, cadavers, animal tissue and models).

4, Health and safety

  1. Students must adhere to all safety protocols in classrooms, laboratories, and clinical settings, including appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
  2. Students must report all health and safety incidents and ‘near misses’ via the University’s H&S platform and must also register incidents through the placement’s H&S system if undertaking a placement outside the university.
  3. Students should use university property, equipment and facilities responsibly and with care.
  4. Students are expected to manage their physical and mental health proactively, seek help when needed and must notify appropriate personnel if a condition may impact safe or effective participation in academic or clinical duties.
  5. The use of alcohol or drugs in a way that impairs judgment, endangers others or violates university policy is strictly prohibited.

5, Confidentiality

  1. Veterinary students must respect and maintain the confidentiality of all patient, client, peer, university and organisational information encountered in clinical, classroom and placement settings.
  2. Veterinary students may only access client records for cases they are directly involved with, or with consent from the supervising veterinarian.
  3. Discussions about cases or individuals must only occur in professional contexts, never in public or social settings where information could be overheard or misinterpreted.
  4. Students must comply with all applicable privacy laws (e.g. Privacy Act) including those governing electronic records.
  5. Permission must be sought from the supervising veterinarian or staff member prior to taking photos or video whilst on any placement or during BVSc classes. Images or videos may only be shared electronically (including with friends, classmates or family) with explicit permission from both the animal owner and the supervising veterinarian and any other people in the image. Images and videos must not contain any identifying information about the animal, the client and the veterinarian/clinic.

6, Commitment to inclusivity and cultural safety

  1. Language or behaviour that is derogatory, exclusionary or insensitive is unacceptable.
  2. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own biases and take steps to promote equity and inclusion within the profession.
  3. All students and staff must abide by the university policy and strategy with regard to being a Tiriti-led university and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

7, Honour the values of Tāwharau Ora | School of Veterinary Science

  1. Students should actively contribute to an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment, and reflect on how their actions align with the kaupapa (purpose) of the School and the wider responsibilities of the veterinary profession in Aotearoa New Zealand. The kaupapa of the School is:
    “To promote an environment that supports the education and development of our people to become world class veterinary professionals, educators, researchers and global citizens.”
  2. Veterinary students are expected to honour and embody the values of Tāwharau Ora – School of Veterinary Science:
    1. Community – Whanau: We value our communities/whānau.
    2. Inclusion – Mahi tahi: We embrace inclusion and encourage participation from all members of our community.
    3. Integrity – Pono: We are authentic and professional in all that we do.
    4. Respect – Aroha: We respect each other and value differing perspectives.
    5. Innovation and Excellence – Auaha, Hirana: We continually challenge ourselves to grow as we strive to be the best that we can be as individuals and as a community.
    6. Wellbeing – Hauora: We prioritise the wellbeing of animals, our people and the environment.

Acknowledgment

All veterinary students are required to read, understand and sign this Code of Conduct upon accepting an offer of place in the BVSc and at the start of each academic year thereafter.

Upholding the BVSc Student Code of Conduct is also a Learning Outcome in each of the courses in the professional phase of the programme – breaching this Code can result in failing the course. Violations of the Code may also be addressed according to the policies of Massey University, and may result in disciplinary action which could include failure of course, repeating a course or exclusion (dismissal) from the BVSc programme or further actions.