Code of Conduct

For vendors doing business with Vassar College

Vassar College strives to conduct its business affairs in a socially responsible manner consistent with its educational mission and commitment to diversity.  Vassar College expects a sincere commitment to legal compliance and ethical business practices by all of its suppliers.  Any agreement between the College and a vendor providing it with goods and services shall contain the following provision:

Compliance with Law.  Vendors (and their subcontractors) shall conduct their business activities in full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulation in providing goods and services under any agreement with the College.  Vendor and vendor’s suppliers and subcontractors must further comply with all applicable College rules, regulation and ordinances while on College premises.

Environmental Compliance.  Vendors (and their subcontractors) will be committed to the protection and preservation of the global environment and the world’s finite resources and conduct businesses accordingly. Specific factors to be considered include but are not limited to the minimization of waste products; use of post consumer recycled materials, energy efficiency, and the durability, biodegradability, and reparability of the products purchased by the College.  Vendors are encouraged to provide evidence of their adherence to recognized norms of environmental quality.

Ethical Compliance: Vendors (and their subcontractors) will commit to conduct their business according to a set of ethical standards which include, but not limited to, honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, and respect the value of each human being.

Vassar College expects affiliated vendors and institutional purchaser to conduct their business in a manner consistent with these principles, and to follow workplace standards that adhere to this Code of Conduct.

The College may terminate any agreement upon the breach by the vendor of any material provision of the agreement.

Vassar College prefers vendors that exceed these standards.