Engineering Ethics Update
FALL 1993

| NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ENGINEERING ETHICS |

Fall 1993 NIEE Newsletter
Table of Contents:

Published by the National Institute for Engineering Ethics Fall 1993 Vol. 4, No. 2
This issue is devoted to recent NIEE activities and reorganization considerations

Board of Ethical Review Cases Being Put on Diskettes

NSPE's "Opinions of the Board of Ethical Review" (BER) cases have been scanned and are being proofed to be made available in digital format on computer diskettes. Until now, the 250+ BER cases have been available in six printed volumes. Former NSPE president and NIEE board member, Robert L. Nichols, P.E., who is also immediate past chairman of the NSPE Board of Ethical Review and has a long history of interest in engineering ethics, has taken a personal interest in completing this project. Nichols assisted in getting many of the cases put in digital format. Trish Diers, Program Manager and Coordinator of the Murdough Center for Engineering Professionalism, is completing the work. When completed, the cases will be made available to the engineering community by the NSPE/BER. The BER Case Studies in digital format will have considerable advantage over the current paper versions. The expense of reproducing and distributing the BER cases will be greatly reduced and a search of the subjects will be made easier and more efficient.

NIEE Board of Governors Meet

The NIEE Board of Governors met in Pittsburgh in July. The meeting was attended by Herb Koogle, Bill Middleton, Paul Munger, Bob Nichols, Monte Phillips, Art Schwartz, Jimmy Smith, and Vivian Weil. The main topic on the agenda was consideration of reorganizing NIEE to better serve the engineering profession, which is the focus of this newsletter.

NIEE Considering Reorganization To Better Serve the Entire Engineering Profession

Last April, at the request of NIEE, Joe Paul Jones, President of NSPE, made a preliminary inquiry among engineering society presidents about their interest in exploring the possibilities of joining in a cooperative effort in the engineering ethics area. Jones indicated to the various society presidents that NSPE is willing to consider any arrangement that would effectively serve the engineering profession, including modifying the Board of Governors of NIEE, and teaming with other engineering societies in formulating a new mission, scope, and governance of NIEE. Fourteen (14) engineering societies, including AAES, ABET, AIChE, ASAE, ASCE, ASEE, ASEM, ASME, ASNE, ASQC, IEEE, IPP, NAFE, and TMS responded, indicating an interest in exploring a cooperative effort in ethics.

As a consequence of this indicated interest, NIEE President Jimmy H. Smith made presentations to two groups representing engineering society leadership in August. On August 4, he met with the Engineering Societies Liaison Group organized by NSPE in Arlington, VA. The following day, he met with the Board of Directors of the American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES). At both meetings, Smith reiterated NIEE's desire to serve a broader engineering community. The substance of his presentations are included in this newsletter for the benefit of members of NIEE and other readers of Engineering Ethics Update.

As an introduction of NIEE to the participants of these two meetings, the following brief background on NIEE was presented.

The National Institute for Engineering Ethics (NIEE) was created by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) in July 1988. The mission of NIEE is to promote ethics within the engineering profession. The principal thrusts of NIEE are: Communication, Program Development, Education, and Practice Applications. NIEE developed and distributed a highly successful engineering ethics video, "Gilbane Gold," which has been used at most engineering colleges in the nation as well as in industry and society presentations. The newsletter Engineering Ethics Update, published by NIEE, keeps members informed about national ethics activities. Also, an Ethics Resource Guide has been developed and distributed. However, the current audience that NIEE reaches is limited and falls far short of its goal of being a benefit to the entire engineering community. Thus, NIEE and NSPE are considering major changes in the organizational structure of NIEE.

NIEE Emphasizes Teaming With Engineering Societies

At the previously mentioned meetings with the Engineering Societies Liaison Group and the AAES Board of Directors, NIEE President Jimmy Smith emphasized that "for NIEE to be effective in providing a positive benefit to the broad field of engineering, the NIEE Board believes it is necessary that both the governance and activities of NIEE also be broad-based." With the support and encouragement from engineering societies and with subsequent input from several NIEE and NSPE officers, the reorganization concept outlined in this newsletter is being considered.

Officers of several engineering societies indicated a strong interest in exploring the possibilities of a cooperative effort and involvement in engineering ethics. AAES expressed interest in being involved and appointed Bill Middleton to serve on a task force to investigate possibilities for new relationships between the NIEE and the profession. No negative reactions were expressed, although a few asked if a separate organization was necessary.

Since any re-structuring of NIEE will require approval by the NSPE Board of Directors, the desire is to have a working agreement in place by the winter meeting of NSPE (January 1994) for their consideration; and have a fully developed re-organization of NIEE implemented by July 1994.

A Concept for Reorganization

In order for NIEE to better serve the entire engineering profession and to provide a "link" on ethics information with the engineering societies as well as with other groups and individuals interested in engineering ethics, NIEE is considering major changes in its structure, mission and governance. Details of the governance, bylaws, and dues structure will be worked out with societies interested in being involved. Initial concepts of a proposed reorganization of the Institute are set forth below.

Board of Governors: Members will be appointed by the participating societies and by a Corporate Patron Advisory Council (elected by that Council). Will meet at least once a year. Board will be responsible for the overall governance of the Institute including:

(a) setting policy and establishing the by-laws and rules of governance for the Institute
(b) approving the budget and setting the dues structure
(c) nominating and electing the officers

Executive Committee: Seven members: President, President Elect, Immediate Past President, three Vice Presidents, and Treasurer. Responsible for quality and effectiveness of activities and programs of the Institute. Executive Vice President will act as secretary. Will meet at least twice a year.

Leadership: President, President-Elect, three Vice Presidents (one for each Commission: Program Development and Communications, Education, and Practice Applications), Treasurer, and Executive Vice President/Secretary.

Corporate Patron Advisory Council:

One representative from each Corporate Patron.

Membership Categories: Individual Members; Participating Societies; Corporate Patrons

Mission, Objectives and Activities

Mission: The mission of NIEE is to promote ethics within the engineering profession.

Objectives:

The mission, objectives and tasks will be accomplished by the Institute and its three Commissions. Commission on Program Development and Communication

Future Tasks of the Institute:

  1. Develop and implement an effective ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION MECHANISM such as an electronic bulletin board through which members, societies, and companies can exchange information, ideas, and developments in the area of engineering ethics.

  2. Develop and distribute ETHICS PROGRAM MODULES including case studies and VIDEO PRESENTATIONS for use in education, industry, private practice and government.

  3. Develop and publish an "ETHICS DIGEST" that condenses major articles on engineering ethics to one or two pages. Distribute to members as a service during development phase (first 3 years).

  4. Identify a NETWORK OF USERS of ethics materials who are willing to share their experiences in utilizing these in presentations at colleges of engineering and technical and professional society meetings.

  5. Develop VIDEOS similar to "Gilbane Gold." Also produce a dubbed or subtitled version of "Gilbane Gold" in several other languages (a Spanish version has recently been requested by engineers in Mexico).

  6. Host a USA/MEXICO/CANADA CONFERENCE focused on developing a consensus about the issues of Engineering Ethics aspects of the NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement). Note: This has been discussed at the Engineering Roundtable I, held at the Texas Tech Murdough Center for Engineering Professionalism in Lubbock (April 1992), and at the Engineering Roundtable II held in Cuernavaca, Mexico (November, 1992).

  7. Plan and make PRESENTATIONS (seminars, workshops, reports, etc.) to make the resources of NIEE accessible.

  8. Develop a PROTOTYPE PILOT PROGRAM for use in small to medium size companies.

  9. Develop a plan for an NIEE Ethics Award for companies who exhibit outstanding achievements in development of in-house ethics programs.

  10. Study and recommend effective mechanisms for improving COOPERATIVE EFFORTS in the engineering ethics area among all engineering societies.

  11. Design and implement a MEMBERSHIP development plan for technical engineering society members, professional engineering society members, and for all others interested in promoting Engineering Ethics.

  12. Develop strategies for greater CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION INVOLVEMENT in NIEE projects and objectives. Seek joint support from private and public foundations and industry sponsors.

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