Ethical and Professional Practice

     The Ethical Professional Practice competency area pertains to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to understand and apply ethical standards to one’s work. While ethics is an integral component of all the competency areas, this competency area focuses specifically on the integration of ethics into all aspects of self and professional practice.

     In CSP 6050: Capstone Seminar we were asked to create a personal statement of mission in which we stated our personal values as well as the values of the profession. This paper demonstrates my ability to explain how my professional practice aligns with my personal code of ethics (ACPA & NASPA, 2010, p. 12).  By articulating my values, it is also articulating my personal ethics.  If an aspect of my profession is incongruent with my personal ethics and values, I know I must “identify and seek to resolve areas of incongruence between personal, institution, and professional ethical standards” (ACPA & NASPA, 2010, p. 12).  In this personal mission statement I also articulated what I believe to be the values of the profession and evaluated where my similarities and differences were with the profession.  Knowledge of my values, and the profession of student affairs’ values, I am able to preemptively approach and resolve incongruence before it becomes an issue.

     Based upon my experiences with Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) at Owens Community College I have the ability identify ethical issues in the course of my job by knowing who I can give information to and who I cannot.  If FERPA agreements are signed by parents it is noted in our documentation software.  I cannot speak with parents or family members regarding a student’s attendance or grades with anyone other than the student if there is no mention of the FERPA release.  This often becomes an issue when I receive phone calls and emails from persistent parents.  When this happens, I must follow the ethical guidelines of my institution and explain FERPA to these parents.  My ability to work with FERPA shows my “ethnical commitment to just and sustainable practices” (ACPA & NASPA, 2010, p. 12).  As an advisor who does online chat, I must also be diligent in following FERPA law through e-advising to ensure I am not giving information to the wrong parties. 

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