1. Ethics + Academic Integrity
ENGR 1181
Class 3

2. What is the first name of your instructional team members?
POP QUIZ!
What is the first name of your instructional team members?

3. Ethics in the Real World (Price Fixing Example)
Mark Whitacre was a whistleblower in a massive price fixing scheme with ADM. While wearing an FBI wire, Mark made an unethical decision to commit fraud and ended up in prison himself. He lost his whistleblower immunity and served 8-1/2 years in federal prison. Quite an amazing story.
The following pictures of Mark Whitacre by Jacob Willis 
Poster image:
Link provided:
Mark Whitacre is best known publicly for his whistleblower role in the mid-1990s at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) where he exposed an international price fixing conspiracy for the FBI. He wore a wire for almost three years for the FBI helping to establish one of the largest price fixing cases in USA history. The ADM case landed Mark in federal prison for fraud and tax evasion. The case is well documented in hundreds of articles and was the subject of three books. James Lieber, an experienced attorney, wrote the book titled, "Rats in the Grain" in After finishing his book about Whitacre's role in the ADM case, James Lieber became a strong supporter of Whitacre's and has been very involved with the lobbying effort for a Presidential Pardon. Kurt Eichenwald wrote the book titled, "The Informant" in 2000 which was used for the 2009 Matt Damon movie, "The Informant". A third book, "Mark Whitacre Against All Odds", was published in 2009 by Stevin Hoover which details the family story about how the Whitacre family survived against all odds.
Several former and current Department of Justice officials continue to lobby for Presidential Clemency or Presidential Pardon for Dr. Whitacre. One of the most active in the pardon process is Mr. Dean Paisley, who was twenty-five years with the FBI prior to his retirement and was the FBI supervisor of the ADM case. Mr. Paisley has contacted frequently the Pardon Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice and the White House Counsel's Office regarding clemency and pardon for Mark Whitacre. He and Mark Whitacre traveled to Washington, DC to make their case for a pardon with government lawyers. Dean Paisley feels strongly that Mark's case was minuscule as compared to the ADM price fixing case and Mr. Paisley is passionate about Mark receiving some type of recognition for his unprecedented and historic role in the ADM case. In multiple media interviews,Paisley went further in his praise of Whitacre stating that "Whitacre is a national hero".
In addition to the FBI agents and a former prosecutor assisting Mark with clemency, dozens of other professionals, including Paul Willis (Cypress’ CEO), Harmon Killebrew (Baseball Hall of Famer), Chuck Colson (former Special White House Counsel for President Nixon and Founder of Prison Fellowship), and numerous law firms that were involved with class action lawsuits against ADM, continue to assist with the Presidential Clemency process". Furthermore, a motion picture was released by Warner Brothers about Mark's role in the ADM case. Directed by Steven Soderbergh and Matt Damon playing the role of Mark Whitacre, the feature film was released at cinemas on September 18, 2009 and on DVD during February, 2010. 

4. Today's Learning Objectives
After today’s class, students will be able to:
Define the term ethics and identify potential sources of a person’s code of ethics.
State why professions like engineering have their own code of ethics and explain how the codes are used.
Implement a structured approach to addressing an ethical dilemma that a student or professional engineer may encounter.

5. Ethics & Practicing Engineering
The point of this slide is to point out that engineers work in a system.
This system also includes their families. If they lose their job or it impacts their performance it will also impact their family. If they are not comfortable with work, it will also impact their family.
Want to focus on what engineering professions can use as resources, like Codes of Ethics. Page 17 (Martin & Schinzinger)

6. Defining Ethics How would you define ethics?
[Image Source:
Ask students to provide a few examples of their definitions and understanding of ethics.

7. Available Definitions Ethics
Ethics can be defined as:
Synonyms for “morally* correct” or justified; set of “justified” moral principles of obligation, rights, and ideals
Particular beliefs or attitudes concerning morality
Area of study or inquiry – an activity of understanding moral values, resolving moral issues, and justifying moral judgments
Main source here is Martin & Schinzinger; Chap 1, pages 8 and 9
(Note that student’s do not purchase this text)
In one sense, the word ethics and its grammatical variants are synonyms for “morally correct” or justified. In this usage, engineering ethics amounts to the set of justified moral principles of obligation, rights, and ideals that ought to be endorsed, as they apply generally to engineering in particular, by those engaged in engineering. Clarifying such principles and applying them to concrete situations is the central goal of engineering ethics as an area of study.
In a second sense the word ethics refers to the particular beliefs or attitudes concerning morality that are endorsed by specific groups or individuals. Using this sense, engineering ethics consists of the requirements specified in the currently accepted engineering codes of ethics. (We will look at the NSPE Code of Ethics later in the class.) Alternatively, engineering ethics may refer to the actual conduct of individuals who are engineers.
In the sense we will use most ethics refers to an area of study or inquiry – an activity of understanding moral values, resolving moral issues, and justifying moral judgments.
*Morality (from the Latin moralitas "manner, character, proper behavior")

8. How Are Ethics & Law Related?
Legal & Ethical
Unethical
Ethical
Legal
Illegal
Illegal & Ethical
Illegal & Unethical
Legal & Unethical
Ask teams to come up with an example for each quadrant and report it.
Ask for examples.
Paying tuition and fees on time.
Speeding for an emergency, not waiting for stop light during emergency
Fraud, theft, murder
Advertising in a self-selected way (drug ads before disclaimers) or sharing the content of an exam for the students who have not yet taken the exam
Introduction To Ethics

9. Illegal and Unethical:
Illegal, but Ethical:
Parking in A space with C sticker while taking roommate to ER
Legal and ethical:
Coming to class!
It is an interesting question as to how law and ethics relate.
Ask for examples they can came up with for each quadrant. The following examples were given in the module:
Coming to class
Parking in A space with C sticker while taking roommate to the emergency room
Stealing a bike
Selling an outdate (or previous edition) textbook to an unknowing student
Summary: Ethics is related but different from and above the law. Ethical behavior is references to, but more than legal behavior. Mostly involves action (what we do), not knowledge (what we know). May “know” the law and a) still not know what is morally or ethically correct, or b) may chose to violate the law. The personalized way you see your values profile to make value-laden decisions is involved.
Walking:
Books:
Stealing:
ER:
Legal, but Unethical:
Selling an outdated
textbook to an unaware student
Illegal and Unethical:
Stealing a bike

10. In-Class Ethics and Law Activity
Each group should use the large sheets of paper to come up with an example for each quadrant.
Pictures and drawings are highly encouraged!
Legal & Ethical
Unethical
Ethical
Legal
Illegal
Illegal & Ethical
Illegal & Unethical
Legal & Unethical
Give students 4-5 minutes to discuss and make drawings. Allow 2-3 teams present theirs to the class.
The regional campuses can have them just pull out notebook paper.
Students should only use one sheet of large paper and all markers need returned to their boxes.

11. Ethics for Engineering
Engineering ethics is the study of the moral values, issues, and decisions involved in engineering practice.
Why should ethics be important to you as an engineer?
Your career as an engineer begins with your college education, not when you graduate.
Engineers are largely responsible for the world we live in, from buildings to computers; they account for the majority of items we use today.
Engineers must understand how their actions affect the world around them and how to anticipate and correct negative consequences.
The public at large has a very high expectation for ethical practice by engineers because so much of their life depends on engineers making the right choice and accounting for all outcomes.

12. Academic Integrity
Your pre-class assignments outlined student responsibilities in maintaining Academic Integrity.
Most problems in the First Year Engineering Program involve copied lab reports and homework problems.
Individual assignment means you do it alone – and print out your own work!
What you achieve/neglect here will have an effect on your future career path, as well as be a part of that path.
Created by Dick Busick (HI 221, ) on 8/26/13 to briefly address Academic Integrity.
Introductions

13. Academic Integrity Zero tolerance for academic misconduct
Any situation where misconduct is suspected must be submitted to The Ohio State University Committee on Academic Misconduct
The person who shares their work is equally at fault/responsible.
If someone comes to you for help, point them in the right direction or help them understand. Do not just give them your work!
If you do share your work, don’t assume it won’t be copied.
Created by Dick Busick (HI 221, ) on 8/26/13 to briefly address Academic Integrity.
Introductions

14. Where Can We Find Help?
Codes of Ethics - Professional organizations address complex moral issues in their fields by developing codes of ethics.
Example: NSPE Code in pre-reading
[Image Source:
Question raised - What resources are available to help you make ethical decisions when confronted with a engineering based moral dilemma?

15. The Codes of Ethics and Its Role
Shared Standards
Positive Support to Act Ethically
Guidance Concerning Obligations
Motivation
Education
Deterrence and Discipline
Professional Image
Shared Values – The great diversity of moral views makes it essential that professions establish explicit standards. Shared standards throughout the profession have values, even if not idea.
Support – Codes give positive support to those seeking to act ethically. “I am bound by the code of ethics of my profession to …”
Guidance – Give helpful guidance concerning the main obligations of engineers. More specific directions may be in supplemental materials or can be developed by discussion based on fundamental guidance. Give forum to discuss.
Inspiration – Reflections profession’s positive statement of intent. Show that you have support of others for following positive ethical practices.
Education and Mutual Understanding – Good tool for classroom and continuing education. Case studies published in every issue of NSPE Newsletter, for example. These examples and discussion help develop common understanding and experience.
Deterrence and Discipline – Can serve as the formal basis for investigation of unethical conduct. Professional societies do suspend members based on violations.
Contributing to the Professional Image – Positive image to the public of a committed professional. Represents self-regulation of the profession that helps reduce other regulation.
Need to acknowledge that code can be abused and does have limitations. For example, people may want to protect public image (of themselves or their company) when wrong has occurred or want to protect the status quo when progress is needed. Codes are no substitute for individuals grappling with concrete dilemmas.
Introduction To Ethics

16. Engineering Code of Ethics
Professional codes of ethics consist primarily of principles of responsibility that delineate how to promote the public good.
A few examples are NSPE’s:
Fundamental Canons
Rules of Practice
Professional Obligations
[Image Source:
Roles of Codes of Ethics

17. NSPE Code of Ethics
Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:
Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
Perform services only in areas of their competence.
Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
Avoid deceptive acts.
Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.
Created by Dick Busick (HI 221, ) on 8/26/13 to enable display of NSPE Code of Ethics while students are working on Exercise 1 and Exercise 2.
Introductions

18. Ethical Dilemmas
Ethical dilemmas are situations in which two or more moral obligations, duties, rights, goods, or ideals come into conflict with one another.
Multiple stakeholders can have conflicting interests.
How does one decide whether a response is well- reasoned? What criteria apply? Can we reliably judge?
A brief answer to the questions posed at the bottom of the slide:
One decides if a response is well reasoned by taking into account the many stakeholders and how each approach’s consequences affect those stakeholders. Those consequences are generally the main criteria for determining a reasonable solution. The results of the different course of actions can be judged by how closely it adheres to the code of ethics as well minimizing negative outcomes and maximizing good ones.
Various approaches to ethical or moral dilemmas are presented in the literature on ethics. We will use a very basic definition of moral dilemma.
Ethical dilemmas arise when there are multiple Stakeholders with conflicting interests.
Good ethical practice requires that all of the Consequences of any potential Course of Action be determined before taking that action.
Therefore, the ethical decision to resolve a conflict will be grounded in these considerations. This allows the protagonist to make a decision based on an organized approach and the best available information.
Typically, the best course of action is one that adheres to a professional code of ethics and minimizes negative consequences and maximizes positive consequences of the outcome of the dilemma.

19. Resolving an Ethical Dilemma
Good ethical practice requires that all of the Consequences of any potential Course of Action be determined before taking that action.
Therefore, the ethical decision to resolve a conflict will be grounded in these considerations. This allows the protagonist to make a decision based on an organized approach and the best available information.
Typically, the best course of action is one that adheres to a professional code of ethics and minimizes negative consequences and maximizes positive consequences of the outcome of the dilemma.
A brief answer to the questions posed at the bottom of the slide:
One decides if a response is well reasoned by taking into account the many stakeholders and how each approach’s consequences affect those stakeholders. Those consequences are generally the main criteria for determining a reasonable solution. The results of the different course of actions can be judged by how closely it adheres to the code of ethics as well minimizing negative outcomes and maximizing good ones.
Various approaches to ethical or moral dilemmas are presented in the literature on ethics. We will use a very basic definition of moral dilemma.
Ethical dilemmas arise when there are multiple Stakeholders with conflicting interests.
Good ethical practice requires that all of the Consequences of any potential Course of Action be determined before taking that action.
Therefore, the ethical decision to resolve a conflict will be grounded in these considerations. This allows the protagonist to make a decision based on an organized approach and the best available information.
Typically, the best course of action is one that adheres to a professional code of ethics and minimizes negative consequences and maximizes positive consequences of the outcome of the dilemma.

20. Approach to an Ethical Dilemma:
Identify the issues and points of ethical conflict
Who is the Protagonist? – think as if YOU are the protagonist
Who are all of the other Stakeholders (interested parties)?
What are all potential Courses of Action that you might take?
What are the Consequences of each possible course of action?
There can be both Negative and Positive consequences.
What are the duties or obligations of the protagonist to all interested parties?

21. In Class Case Study
– Main Street Bridge

22. Case Study – Main Street Bridge
Companies Involved:
Designed by: Bridge Designers, Inc.
Steel components fabricated by: ABC Steel Co.
Construction Company: Bridge Builders, Inc.
Safety Consulting Company: SAFECON Co.

23. Background Information: Yield Stress and Safety Factor
Yield stress for steel:
Structural Steel ~200 MPa
Structural Nickel Steel ~300 MPa
For the Main Street Bridge design, the Stress under maximum load in the bridge connector plates was calculated to be 150 MPa.
The required safety factor for the connector plates is 2.0.
Structural nickel steel was chosen for the connector plates.

24. Connector Plate Design
The original connector plates were specified to be " thick Structural Nickel Steel. The material was chosen because it could handle the stress needed to achieve a safety factor of 2.
However, after some design changes, Bridge Designers changed the connector plate thickness to 1.00".
The new 1.00" connector plates were fabricated and rushed to the construction site, where Bridge Construction removed the old plates and replaced them with the new 1.00" plates.
The plates where installed in time according to the schedule.

25. Main Street Bridge Schedule
SAFECON Co. is responsible for assembling and delivering the Final Inspection Documents to ODOT and the County Engineer.
Final Inspection Documentation Package: Friday, August 30th
Final Inspection by ODOT, County Engineer and City of Columbus: Friday, September 6th
Opening Day: Friday, September 13th

26. SAFECON Co. Finds a Problem!
On Friday, August 16th, while assembling the Final Inspection Package, the engineer at SAFECON Co. discover an error in the Purchase Order for the new connector plates!
The issue is found two weeks before SAFECON Co. has to deliver the final inspection documents.

27. The Connector Plates Aren’t Correct!
The error is:
The new 1.00" Connector Plates were fabricated from Structural Steel – not Structural Nickel Steel, as called for in the bridge design!
So now the Safety Factor for the Main Street Bridge is 1.33, instead of 2.0 as required by building codes.

28. In Class Case Study Activity
As a group, take time to review the previous slides
Develop answers to the questions on next slide
The instructor will go over possible answers and solutions to the moral dilemma
Make sure that the instructor has gone over every slide. Decide if time allots for students to have 6-8 minutes to develop responses to the posed questions, or just go over as a group. Leave time to go over the Ethics Case Assignment and explain choosing an ethics case. Students will 3 choices to GTA by midnight.

29. Ethical Case Study What is the ethical dilemma?
Who is the protagonist?
Who are all of the interested parties (stakeholders)?
What are the possible actions?
For each course of action, what are the positive and negative consequences?
What are the obligations of the protagonist?
What sections of the NSPE Code apply?
What is your final opinion?
Example Solution:
Protagonist: SAFECON Co.
Interested Parties: Bridge Builders, Inc., SAFECON Co., ABC Steel Co., Bridge Designers, Inc., Users of the bridge, ODOT, County Engineer
Possible Actions: (one given for example)
Get the Bridge Builders Inc. to buy new plates made of the right material and replace them all.
Consequences: (one pos. and neg. for example)
Positive: The bridge meets the safety factor
Negative: It costs more money and delays opening day
SAFECON Co. has a duty to the people to make sure that the bridge is safe to go across and has a duty to ODOT/County Engineer to tell them it doesn’t meet code.
Most of the fundamental canons apply such as “Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.” The other canons can be applied to this situation when considering other courses of action.
One final opinion could be to inform Bridge Builders Inc. that they’re bridge don’t meet the requirements and if they fail to correct it in time inform ODOT and the County Engineer so that no one is put in danger and the opening day is extended.

30. Ethics Case Assignment
In this course - Ethics cases will be used as a basis for verbal presentations later in the semester.
Steps include:
Selection of Possible Ethics Cases
Team picks top 3 cases of interest to submit to GTA
GTA assigns case to Team
Analysis of Ethics Case
Teams will receive feedback from GTA prior to presentation due date
A draft of the PowerPoint and plan for oral presentation are submitted
Teams deliver an Oral Presentation on their Ethics Case

31. Important Takeaways Defined ethics and engineering ethics
Completed an example approach to developing a well- reasoned response to a moral dilemma
Introduced the NSPE Engineering Code of Ethics
Completed an application activity of the Code of Ethics to an engineering case

32. Preview of Next Class Technical Communication 1:
Written and oral communication
All professionals, including engineers, must be able to communicate their knowledge to others with varying education levels and experiences.
At this point, instructor shall pull up the Ethics Case Assignment and walk students through the first 5 pages and explain deliverables and expectations. Then, show the case summaries and let students start going through and talking with team about which cases they would like to select.

33. What’s Next? Review Ethics Case Assignment
Select an Ethics Case for your group and GTA top 3 choices by midnight.
Once case is assigned, you will complete an ethics evaluation for your case.
Preview Technical Communications 1, complete the reading and take the Carmen quiz.