Code of Honour
Function and origin of the Code of Honour
What is a Code of Honour? ‘Code’ can be clearly defined as a ‘set of rules’. The word ‘honour’ can be defined in a number of ways: e.g. ‘Repute’, ‘Esteem’, ‘Respect’, ‘Preservation of values’, ‘Dignity’, ‘Recognition’, but also quite simply ‘Praise’. What all these definitions have in common is that ‘Honour’ describes something positive which promotes life in a community. The combination of the definitions of ‘Code’ and ‘Honour’ produces an abstract set of rules which facilitates personal relationships in a community through mutual esteem.
Codes of Honour based on this broad definition have often and successfully been applied in history, whether by orders of knights, governments, companies or academic institutions. They have all been skilful at using more or less binding rules to integrate their most important values into their daily lives and thus strengthen relationships within the community.
And we, the students, teaching staff and members of the Hamburg School School of Business Administration, also wish our relations with one another to be dignified, that we recognise and respect one another. In order to enhance such behaviour, we have created our own Code of Honour: a work in which all members of the university have participated and which represents our common wish. The special feature of our Code of Honour is its openness: it is not a rigid set of rules and should not enforce obedience or restrict the freedom of the university! With our Code of Honour we are placing very different and high demands on ourselves: by behaving towards one another prudently and respectfully, we wish to create the basis for successful studying, for individual freedom of action and for fun.
Our Code of Honour was drawn up in the summer of 2005 and consists of ten thesies, each of which comprises some of the common value conceptions that we collected in the course of one year in many student workshops and meetings of the university council and teaching staff. It is possible and intended that these theses are interpreted and lived individually by each new member of the Hamburg School of Business Administration.
Preamble
The order of a society is based on laws. But its values determine its character.
In the light of this fact, the Code of Honour is not a set of rules, but rather a canon of values. Its ten theses reflect the vision of the founding fathers and the ideals and expectations of the students. It does not aim to lay down limits, but to create space for both successful studying and for individual freedom and fun.
The canon places demands on all members of the university. To commit oneself to it is not, however, an act of obedience, but appeals to the inner attitude of the individual. For the values described in the Code of Honour not only form the basis for studying at the university, but are also essentially of fundamental importance for all types of living together and working. These values cannot be obeyed but lived.
The Code of Honour is merely the origin of a vision. To implement and develop this vision will always be a challenge for each student and teacher. But we are firmly convinced that it is worth taking on this challenge.
“If we let ourselves be guided by our dreams, success will exceed all our expectations.” - Henry David Thoreau
The Code of Honour of the HSBA students
Use the day: we see and grasp opportunities and challenges for our professional and private lives every day.
Passionate commitment: we strive for success. We are motivated, we can deal with stress and we are willing to perform. Every one of us is responsible for his or her own future.
Team spirit: we are a strong community – we reach our goals together. Our motto Is: one for all and all for one.
Conscious of the opportunities: we appreciate the privileges offered to us. We are all committed to the interests of the university.
Basis of working together: we cultivate respectful behaviour among those belonging to the university. Our disciplined conduct towards one another is characterised by open communication and mutual trust.
Innovative acting: we are not satisfied with the status quo. We search for new ways creatively and independently.
HSBA – our gateway to the world: our thinking knows no limits, our openmindedness knows no arrogance and presumption. We stand for tolerance.
Forum of knowledge: at the HSBA we live the dual course of study. We enrich the lessons at the university with the practical experience gained in the companies training us.
Ethical responsibility: we pursue ambitious goals and are aware that in all our efforts the responsibility for society and the economy must always have a high value.
Bearers of values: we all are and remain representatives of the HSBA and bear the Hanseatic spirit of the university beyond our studies.
