Navigating EthicalNavigating Ethical Dilemmas Within ...accca.org/files/Presentations/2E_Ethica_Dilemmas.pdf · Navigating EthicalNavigating Ethical Dilemmas Within theDilemmas Within

Navigating EthicalNavigating EthicalDilemmas Within theDilemmas Within theCommunity CollegeCommunity College

PresidencyPresidency

Dr. Kate MuellerDr. Kate Mueller

February 18, 2009February 18, 2009

ACCCA ConferenceACCCA Conference

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As higher educational administrators, we continually faceAs higher educational administrators, we continually faceethical dilemmas. Doctoral research explored whatethical dilemmas. Doctoral research explored whatdilemmas are faced by California community collegedilemmas are faced by California community college

presidents, and identified how those dilemmas are dealtpresidents, and identified how those dilemmas are dealtwith. This session includes a presentation of research, andwith. This session includes a presentation of research, andworkshop attendees will participate through discussion ofworkshop attendees will participate through discussion of

case studies.case studies.

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Context of the ProblemContext of the Problem

Leaders resolve situations with ethicalLeaders resolve situations with ethicaldimensions dailydimensions daily

More often than not, no clear lineMore often than not, no clear linebetween ethical and unethical behaviorbetween ethical and unethical behavior

Research focusing on ethical leadershipResearch focusing on ethical leadershipin community colleges is limitedin community colleges is limited

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Many examples of ethics ignored:Many examples of ethics ignored:

–– President of Wesley College deniedPresident of Wesley College deniedaccusations of plagiarizing another collegeaccusations of plagiarizing another collegepresidentpresident’’s speechs speech

–– Chancellor in Alabama who used state fundsChancellor in Alabama who used state fundsto pay off gambling debtsto pay off gambling debts

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–– TSU President who spent hundreds ofTSU President who spent hundreds ofthousands of state dollars for personalthousands of state dollars for personalexpensesexpenses

–– Faculty who knowingly allowed plagiarism inFaculty who knowingly allowed plagiarism inmastermaster’’s thesess theses

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Robert A. Paxton, former president of IowaRobert A. Paxton, former president of IowaCentral Community CollegeCentral Community College

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And specifically in CaliforniaAnd specifically in California ……

–– Hidden compensation by the University ofHidden compensation by the University ofCalifornia for top officialsCalifornia for top officials

–– Compton Community College lost itsCompton Community College lost itsaccreditation for a variety of unethical andaccreditation for a variety of unethical andlegal practiceslegal practices

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An ethical campus culture must start withAn ethical campus culture must start withthe president, because the leader sets thethe president, because the leader sets thetonetone

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Community colleges in California haveCommunity colleges in California havebegun to experience a large number ofbegun to experience a large number ofretirementsretirements

In summer 2007 there were 52 vacant orIn summer 2007 there were 52 vacant orinterim presidenciesinterim presidencies

Growing concern about availability ofGrowing concern about availability ofleaders to replace these retiring presidentsleaders to replace these retiring presidents

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Purpose of the StudyPurpose of the Study

What does ethical leadership look like inWhat does ethical leadership look like inthe presidency of a community college?the presidency of a community college?

Learn from current community collegeLearn from current community collegepresidentspresidents

Their experience = a teaching and learningTheir experience = a teaching and learningtooltool

Their experience = development ofTheir experience = development ofguidelines for ethical leadershipguidelines for ethical leadership

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Research QuestionsResearch Questions

Two research questions:Two research questions:

1.1. What situations with ethical dimensions doWhat situations with ethical dimensions docommunity college presidents face?community college presidents face?

2.2. How do community college presidentsHow do community college presidentsaddress such situations?address such situations?

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Significance of StudySignificance of Study

Ethical issues and illegalities are a globalEthical issues and illegalities are a globalproblemproblem

Can be a challenge to determine what isCan be a challenge to determine what isan ethical responsean ethical response

There is risk in every decisionThere is risk in every decision

Scarcity of research on ethical leadershipScarcity of research on ethical leadershipand community college presidentsand community college presidents

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Significance of StudySignificance of Study

Most research on ethics in education hasMost research on ethics in education hasfocused on students, not educationalfocused on students, not educationalleadershipleadership

Opportunity to identify guidelines of ethicalOpportunity to identify guidelines of ethicalleadership and ethical decisionleadership and ethical decision--makingmaking

Understand what college presidentsUnderstand what college presidentsencounter from a practical standpointencounter from a practical standpoint

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Review of LiteratureReview of Literature

Limited research on ethical leadership inLimited research on ethical leadership incommunity collegescommunity colleges

Limited research on ethical leadership inLimited research on ethical leadership incommunity college presidencycommunity college presidency

Plethora of research on ethics, leadership,Plethora of research on ethics, leadership,and higher education, but not aand higher education, but not acombination thereofcombination thereof

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Shugart and Joynton (1997)Shugart and Joynton (1997) ––Ethical decisionEthical decision--making modelmaking model

1.1. Is there an ethical problem?Is there an ethical problem?

2.2. What additional factual information do I need to obtain?What additional factual information do I need to obtain?

3.3. What are the ethical issues in the situation?What are the ethical issues in the situation?

4.4. What is my own moral stance? That of my profession?What is my own moral stance? That of my profession?

5.5. What are the moral stances of others in the situation?What are the moral stances of others in the situation?

6.6. Does the situation contain any conflicts of moral values?Does the situation contain any conflicts of moral values?

7.7. Who decides?Who decides?

8.8. What are the consequences of each of the options?What are the consequences of each of the options?

9.9. What shall I do?What shall I do?

10.10. How does my decision look after I have acted?How does my decision look after I have acted?

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Trevino and Nelson (2007)Trevino and Nelson (2007) –– valuesvaluesexercise with business leadersexercise with business leaders ……

some examplessome examples

Action orientationAction orientation

AltruismAltruism

CompassionCompassion

CompetenceCompetence

CreativityCreativity

EqualityEquality

Fairness/justiceFairness/justice

Flexibility/adaptabilityFlexibility/adaptability

Honesty/integrityHonesty/integrity

HonorHonor

HumilityHumility

PromisePromise--keepingkeeping

RespectRespect

ResponsibilityResponsibility

RiskRisk--TakingTaking

SelfSelf--DisciplineDiscipline

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Ethical DilemmasEthical Dilemmas

Community college leaders in particularCommunity college leaders in particularconfront countless ethical issuesconfront countless ethical issues (Wallin(Wallin

2007)2007)

Ethical dilemmas occur when there is noEthical dilemmas occur when there is nostraightforward answer about astraightforward answer about a ‘‘rightright’’ oror‘‘wrongwrong’’ course of action in a particularcourse of action in a particularsituation (CIHE, 2005)situation (CIHE, 2005)

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Guidelines for EthicalGuidelines for EthicalDecisionDecision--MakingMaking

Compilation of several authorsCompilation of several authors’’ guidelines:guidelines:–– Get the factsGet the facts

–– Identify the pertinent ethical issuesIdentify the pertinent ethical issues

–– Identify the stakeholdersIdentify the stakeholders

–– Identify obligationsIdentify obligations

–– What are the options?What are the options?

–– What are the consequences?What are the consequences?

–– Who benefits? Who pays?Who benefits? Who pays?

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Research onResearch onEthical DecisionEthical Decision--MakingMaking

There is no one set of principles orThere is no one set of principles orguidelines, or any one model that willguidelines, or any one model that willaddress every situation with ethicaladdress every situation with ethicaldimensions.dimensions.

Cannot anticipate every situation, butCannot anticipate every situation, butprinciples and guidelines can help usprinciples and guidelines can help usprepare.prepare.

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MethodologyMethodology

SurveySurvey

–– FirstFirst--hand experiences of current communityhand experiences of current communitycollege presidentscollege presidents

Convenience sampleConvenience sample

InterviewsInterviews

–– FollowFollow--up interviews to selected surveysup interviews to selected surveys

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Survey ContentSurvey Content

Research Question 1: What situations withResearch Question 1: What situations withethical dimensions do community collegeethical dimensions do community collegepresidents face?presidents face?

Item 1: Describe one or more situation(s)Item 1: Describe one or more situation(s)with ethical dimensions that you havewith ethical dimensions that you havepersonally experienced.personally experienced.

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Survey ContentSurvey Content

Research Question 2: How do communityResearch Question 2: How do communitycollege presidents address such situations?college presidents address such situations?

Item 2: Explain how you addressed theItem 2: Explain how you addressed thesituation(s) with ethical dimensions assituation(s) with ethical dimensions asdescribed in Item 1. (If you chose not todescribed in Item 1. (If you chose not toconfront the situation, please talk about whyconfront the situation, please talk about whyyou made that decision.)you made that decision.)

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Population and SamplePopulation and Sample

California Community College PresidentsCalifornia Community College Presidents

Convenience sampleConvenience sample

109 presidents109 presidents

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Results and AnalysisResults and Analysis

17.4% participation rate (presidents17.4% participation rate (presidentscompleting the survey)completing the survey)

Of the 19 participants, 27 situationsOf the 19 participants, 27 situationssharedshared

40 percent of CCC presidents responded,40 percent of CCC presidents responded,but declined to participatebut declined to participate

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Question 1: Describe an ethicalQuestion 1: Describe an ethicaldilemmadilemma

All situations had multiple playersAll situations had multiple players

PredominantPredominant

–– EmployeesEmployees

–– Board MembersBoard Members

–– StudentsStudents

No two situations were identicalNo two situations were identical

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Results and AnalysisResults and AnalysisSurvey Question OneSurvey Question One

Predominant behaviorsPredominant behaviors

EmployeesEmployees

–– Making false claims for personal gainMaking false claims for personal gain

–– Sexual harassment of studentsSexual harassment of students

–– Illegal behavior on campusIllegal behavior on campus

–– Hiring policiesHiring policies

–– Incorrect reporting of college enrollmentIncorrect reporting of college enrollment

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Board MembersBoard Members

–– Improper/unethical use of board position orImproper/unethical use of board position orinfluenceinfluence

–– MicromanagingMicromanaging

–– Avoiding conflict or taking no actionAvoiding conflict or taking no action

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StudentsStudents

–– Student rightsStudent rights

–– Expecting preferential treatment due toExpecting preferential treatment due torelationship with a Board Memberrelationship with a Board Member

–– Dismissal of student athletes from teamsDismissal of student athletes from teams

–– Students contacting local mediaStudents contacting local media

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Question 2: How did you addressQuestion 2: How did you addressthe dilemma?the dilemma?

Directly addressed the situationDirectly addressed the situation Sought balance in regard to benefit to individuals andSought balance in regard to benefit to individuals and

institutioninstitution Considered theConsidered the ““big picturebig picture”” Sought compromiseSought compromise AvoidanceAvoidance Collaboration and involvement of othersCollaboration and involvement of others Held groundHeld ground CommunicationCommunication EducateEducate Negotiation and persuasionNegotiation and persuasion ListeningListening Walk a fine ethical lineWalk a fine ethical line

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ThemesThemes

There is noThere is no oneone way to address a situationway to address a situationwith ethical dimensionswith ethical dimensions

Have to address on caseHave to address on case--byby--case basiscase basis

Will not manipulate process; process mustWill not manipulate process; process musthave integrityhave integrity

Often the Board is trying to the do the rightOften the Board is trying to the do the rightthing, with no malicious intent; misguidedthing, with no malicious intent; misguided

Community colleges are held in public trustCommunity colleges are held in public trust

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FindingsFindings

Similar responses from participants toSimilar responses from participants toresearch in the literatureresearch in the literature

–– Not bowing to Board memberNot bowing to Board member’’s influences influence

–– Not succumbing to hiring requestsNot succumbing to hiring requests

–– Calling for an audit when erroneous reportingCalling for an audit when erroneous reportingdiscovereddiscovered

–– Maintaining confidentialityMaintaining confidentiality

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FindingsFindings

One surprise: 15 of the 19 who completedOne surprise: 15 of the 19 who completedand returned the survey also returned theand returned the survey also returned thetoken of appreciationtoken of appreciation

And 29 of the 31 who specified that theyAnd 29 of the 31 who specified that theywere declining to take the survey alsowere declining to take the survey alsoreturned the moneyreturned the money

Question: do these presidents habituallyQuestion: do these presidents habituallyreturn tokens of appreciation, or did thereturn tokens of appreciation, or did thesubject matter motivate them to return thesubject matter motivate them to return themoney?money?

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Why This MattersWhy This Matters ……

The sharing of actual, realThe sharing of actual, real--life experiences is a teachinglife experiences is a teachingand learning tool that can help equip educational leaders toand learning tool that can help equip educational leaders tobe better ethical leadersbe better ethical leaders

RealReal--life situations sharedlife situations shared

Practical examplesPractical examples

““Guidelines communicate the values of the profession andGuidelines communicate the values of the profession andin some ways establish expectations for those whoin some ways establish expectations for those whoundertake the work.undertake the work.”” (Benjamin, 2006)(Benjamin, 2006)

Guidelines can shed light on options for behaving ethicallyGuidelines can shed light on options for behaving ethicallyin challenging situations.in challenging situations.

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Guidelines for EthicalGuidelines for EthicalLeadershipLeadership

Guidelines developed through this research:Guidelines developed through this research:

Address the situation directly, immediately,Address the situation directly, immediately,and forthrightlyand forthrightly

Weigh options, seek balance and winWeigh options, seek balance and win--winwinsolutions; seek compromisesolutions; seek compromise

Step back and see the whole situationStep back and see the whole situation

Investigate, which might include meeing withInvestigate, which might include meeing withthe parties involved.the parties involved.

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Verify that college procedures/policies wereVerify that college procedures/policies werefollowedfollowed

–– Ensure solution is consistent with collegeEnsure solution is consistent with collegeprocedures/policiesprocedures/policies

–– Use internal procedures/policies to resolveUse internal procedures/policies to resolveissueissue

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Ensure fairnessEnsure fairness

Employ the legal system when appropriateEmploy the legal system when appropriate

Protect due process and rights of studentsProtect due process and rights of studentsand employeesand employees

Enlist others (e.g. board members, otherEnlist others (e.g. board members, otheradministrators, employees) in the decisionadministrators, employees) in the decision--making and addressing of situations withmaking and addressing of situations withethical dimensionsethical dimensions

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Do not succumb to pressureDo not succumb to pressure

Set ethical boundariesSet ethical boundaries

Maintain confidentialityMaintain confidentiality

Communicate: take the time to askCommunicate: take the time to askquestions and dialoguequestions and dialogue

Communicate with supervisorCommunicate with supervisor

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ListenListen

Educate employees, board members, andEducate employees, board members, andstudentsstudents …… about policiesabout policies ……about ethicalabout ethicalleadershipleadership

Negotiate and persuade others afterNegotiate and persuade others afteridentifying the best possible solutionidentifying the best possible solution

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What Next?What Next?

Survey nationSurvey nation--widewide

Survey presidents of fourSurvey presidents of four--year institutionsyear institutions

Survey presidents of both communitySurvey presidents of both communitycolleges and fourcolleges and four--year institutions andyear institutions andcomparecompare

Private and publicPrivate and public

Presidents across the nation, or byPresidents across the nation, or bygeographic regionsgeographic regions

Survey other job levels/titlesSurvey other job levels/titles

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What Next?What Next?

Compare and contrast the perspectives ofCompare and contrast the perspectives ofpresidents whose institutions have codes ofpresidents whose institutions have codes ofethics with those who do not have suchethics with those who do not have suchcodescodes …… what, if any, is the influence ofwhat, if any, is the influence ofcodes of ethics on decisioncodes of ethics on decision--making andmaking andbehavior.behavior.

Take the identified guidelines and developTake the identified guidelines and developresearch to test their mettle.research to test their mettle.

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ThoughtsThoughts ……

It is important to remember:It is important to remember: ““ethicalethicalpresidents are not perfect human beings.presidents are not perfect human beings.They make mistakes, but they acknowledgeThey make mistakes, but they acknowledgethose mistakes.those mistakes.”” (Walling, 2007), p. 44(Walling, 2007), p. 44

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There is no one way to deal with a situationThere is no one way to deal with a situationwith ethical dimensions, yet you can takewith ethical dimensions, yet you can takesome of the lessons learned in one situationsome of the lessons learned in one situationand apply them to another.and apply them to another.

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You donYou don’’t always have time to learn the jobt always have time to learn the jobbefore testing your ethical mettlebefore testing your ethical mettle …… ananethical dilemmas occurred two hours in to aethical dilemmas occurred two hours in to aparticipantparticipant’’s new presidency, another 2.5s new presidency, another 2.5months inmonths in …… another participant used theanother participant used thetermterm ““initiation by fireinitiation by fire””

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Questions?Questions?

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Case StudiesCase Studies

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