The foundations of personal morality should be unchanging

In the interview, she reflects, among other things, on the fact that the foundations of personal morality should remain the same even in a rapidly changing world.

Do you think that students and employees of the University know about the Ethics Commission? Know that it is there and that they can contact it?

Many certainly do not. I confess that before my nomination, I had only heard of the Commission but I had no idea how it worked. I see it as one of the most important tasks to get the word out. To make students and staff see the Ethics Commission as a natural part of the University system that is there for them. Because who else would deal with the ethical issues that the times bring? The Ethics Commission should do just that and in doing so, protect the University.

What does this mean in practice? Could you explain to the readers how the Ethics Commission works, please?

The Ethics Commission is the Rector’s permanent advisory body, which functions completely independently. This means that no one from the University interferes in its decision-making. The Commission is multidisciplinary, i.e. without a specific disciplinary focus. We consider only the ethical point of view, and no deeper disciplinary knowledge regarding the matter is required. Most often, it deals with student theses and projects where the Ethics Commission’s opinion is needed. For many projects, this opinion is an integral part of the project application itself. It should also deal with plagiarism, although no such case has yet been dealt with by the Ethics Commission. There was a training session on this topic in April, so I believe that this has taken the members of the Commission further. On the other hand, unfortunately, the Commission has already dealt with a case of inappropriate behaviour of a teacher towards a student.

This topic has frequently appeared in the media lately, which may evoke the impression that such behaviour is common in universities. How do you see it?

So far, the Commission has addressed this issue only once. I am glad about that because it is always very sensitive for all parties. On the other hand – if anyone is in a similar situation, whether student or employee, they should not be afraid to address it. They can send a review of the whole thing directly to the Ethics Commission or ask someone close to them to do it for them. There is also a Counselling Centre at VSB-TUO, which students can approach in case of academic problems and difficult life situations. It is also always possible to ask for help from the University Ombudsperson or a member of the Ethics Commission from the concerned faculty.

So each faculty is represented in the Ethics Commission?

Yes, every faculty and research department. The Ethics Commission has fifteen members elected for five years, including two students. The composition is diverse in age and gender – we are eight women and seven men. I am pleased that none of us is just a listener. Everyone has an opinion – both professional and human. Often we go into the depth of the problem, and it is not easy to find a compromise.

The Ethics Commission also has a Code of Ethics, which is binding for all. Where can we find it?

It is available on the University website. The Code of Ethics summarizes general social principles, ethical principles for scientific research and teaching activities, and rules for students. It is binding not only for students and staff but also for all those who cooperate with the University.

Is there anything that stands out for you?

It would be wonderful if the moral challenges presented in the Code of Ethics were taken to heart by students and staff alike. Everyone should check whether or not they behave according to them. Those who are lapsing in morality should keep the Code of Ethics in their desk drawer. After all, there are rules that have been instilled in us from a young age: say hello, say thank you, behave politely, do not cheat at school, do not take what is not yours, and treat people older than you with respect... There are many. Everything changes with age, status, life experience, and, above all, with the times, but the basics of personal morality should be constant.

You have started talking about a subject I cannot just leave alone. The perception of the world and what is moral and what is not has changed with the times. The lines of correctness are becoming thinner. How do you feel about that?

This is a complex issue that we deal with at every meeting. People are different – what is over the edge for one person may be trivial for another. The famous “behave the way you want others to behave towards you” has worked for me. I tell myself that common sense must always work, but ignorance of the law is no excuse. I would conclude by saying that today, especially in the context of sexual harassment, the ice is really thin.

Text: Ing. Barbora Urbanovská, Mgr. Lada Dittrichová