LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ETHICS PARAMOUNT IN WORK, LIFE
SALUTE TO INDICATOR, STEVENS
Society seems to be pervaded these days with fraud and abuse. Likewise, engineering and construction can also be prone to this type of behavior. Throughout a project life cycle, there is much opportunity for unethical behavior. There are many reasons why people commit unethical acts, but attainment of more money, and sometimes power and prestige, seem to be the primary reasons for doing so. While there is nothing wrong in our capitalist society with trying to make money, doing it ethically takes care and attention.
Having just finished reading the Winter 2012 2013 edition of The Indicator (cover to cover), I was taken by the story of Stevens’ grads volunteering in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
A simple test to determine if you are engaging in fraudulent behavior is to ask this question: Would it be acceptable to discuss what I am about to do in a court of law? If the answer is yes, then you are most likely performing an ethical deed. If the answer is no, then you are most likely performing an unethical deed. A good habit to get into is reviewing what you are planning to do. By doing so, a person can better visualize what they are about to engage in and ask the aforementioned question before committing an act, to gauge their ethical behavior. This should not be too difficult to do for design or construction professionals, as they are trained to plan tasks well in advance. There are many factors that affect whether a person will perform their duties ethically or not. Items such as education, exposure to fraud at an early age, etc., can channel a person’s mindset one way or another. These factors can and do affect a person’s conditioned mind. Although it is possible to change one’s behavior once it is instilled in them, it takes a strong support system and a focused determination to do so. I believe that it is well worth the effort to be a person who performs a job ethically. However, if a person has committed an unethical act, it is not the end of the world. They should immediately attempt to “right the wrong.” The first step is to recognize that you have done something unethical and the second step is to rectify the situation. This takes courage and inner strength and although this may prove to be somewhat awkward and embarrassing, it is the right thing to do and will be beneficial in the long run. Transparency in your daily activities is an important component in ethical behavior. Finally, it is helpful to associate with known ethical people – talk with them, read their writings, view their videos/lectures. In doing so, one can be exposed to how to perform their job ethically. Doug Schneider, M.S. ’07 In the Winter 2012-13 issue, an alumnus was misidentified in a Northern California Alumni Club caption on Page 35. In photo 2, Ryan Stellar ’06 attended the event, not Ryan Donovan ’06, as stated. Also, in that issue’s “Grist from the Mill,” on Page 9, Dr. Leslie Brunell’s name was misspelled.
SPRING 2013, VOL. 132, NO. 2 Executive Director Anita Lang
Editor
Beth Kissinger
Associate Editor Lisa Torbic
Art Direction/Design
www.Dan Flint Design.com
Additional Art Direction/Design Jason Rodriguez
Published quarterly by
the Stevens Alumni Association, member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. © 2013 Stevens Alumni Association
Now I suppose you know the answer as to why, but in truth you gave me the name of the darkhaired man on the cover, something I had lost in the final days at Breezy Point. What a terrific magazine you have written and published cover to cover. Beth, you should feel good about your effort including the new appearance, the sprightly use of color and a good guess that more people are happier reading it now than before. Lisa, your piece on the volunteers’ efforts was just excellent. I know it is not that simple a topic to write about, so one would have to say you have a knack for asking the right questions and are quick-witted in putting the varied responses together intelligibly. With enormous thanks for all the good work that comes out of Stevens Institute of Technology, I remain, the husband of Grace; an alumnus who was “pinned” by President Nariman Farvardin at a San Diego gathering of Stevens alumni; the brother of two Stevens graduates; a man, along with Ed Eichhorn ’69, fellow members of the Delts; a long-term admirer of Anita Lang, Ron Besser, George Korfiatis; and, as important as the rest I’m sure, a graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology - Class of 1953. Best regards to all and a myriad of thanks to each and with a special vote of thanks to Anita Lang for her service to so many. Dick McCormack ’53
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