The collections, programs, and facilities of the Museum of Art and Archaeology are held in public trust. The Museum enjoys the trust of the community in its role as preserver of human culture and heritage and in its presentation of its materials with accuracy, honesty, and sensitivity. The non-profit status that makes the Museum tax exempt is a trust given by the federal government; foundations, public agencies, and individuals who make grants or gifts to the Museum demonstrate a public trust in their belief that the activities these funds support are educationally sound and will be used to further the stated mission of the Museum. This trust further presumes that funds are spent wisely and for the purposes stated. It is reflected in the belief of the Museum administrative governance, Director, staff, docents, interns, and volunteers that their efforts for the Museum further the greater good.

Employment by a museum is likewise a public trust. This public trust must especially be recognized by persons associated with the Museum of Art and Archaeology, and particularly by persons having important responsibilities in formulating or administering policies and procedures governing the Museum. Persons holding such responsibilities have a duty and an obligation to preserve and protect this trust. It is understood that such duty may entail the voluntary surrender of certain rights to personal privacy and economic activity. It is the goal of this Code of Ethics to preserve the public trust and the Museum's good name with the least possible intrusion on personal rights. Those individuals affected in varying degrees are full-time and part-time staff of the Museum of Art and Archaeology, including student employees, docents, interns, research assistants, volunteers, Advisory Committee members, Museum Associates board and members, and others who may serve on committees or otherwise be associated in an official capacity with the Museum.

The Museum of Art and Archaeology is a division of The University of Missouri, a State University. Its activities and those of its employees, volunteers, and associated persons are governed by the laws and regulations of the State, the University Board of Curators, and the