IEEE Ethics and Member Conduct Committee - An Overview Daniel S. Yeung Member of IEEE EMCC President, IEEE Systems, Man

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IEEE Ethics and Member Conduct Committee - An
Overview Daniel S. YeungMember of IEEE
EMCCPresident, IEEE Systems, Man Cybernetics
Society

• IEEE Region 10 Annual Meeting
• Gujarat, India
• 2-3 February 2008

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Overview

• Professional Ethics
• History of the Code or Ethics
• Ethics and Member Conduct Committee (EMCC)
• Member Conduct Cases
• Outreach to Promote Ethical Behavior
• 2008 EMCC Members
• Contact Information

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PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

• RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR SOCIETY
• Protect public health, safety and welfare
• Reduce risks below an acceptable level Design,
  fabrication, operation....
• Inform public of issues
• Realities of the situation
• Expectations of safety
• Misuse of data/data analysis
• Environmental impacts
• Government/industry technology policies

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PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

• RESPONSIBILIES TO OUR EMPLOYERS CLIENTS
• Act as a trusted agent
• Provide full disclosure on qualifications
• Protect and advance company interests
• Avoid conflicts of interest
• Maintain confidentiality
• Provide candid evaluation of company projects
• Perform assignments to the best of your ability
• Balance responsibilities to employer and public

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PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

• RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES
• Do not make false statements
• Recognize and give credit for work of others
• Share information (unless confidential)
• Promote professional development
• Participate in professional societies
• RESPONSIBILITIES TO OURSELVES
• Provide honest assessment of ALL facts Personal
  qualifications and Product specifications
• Do not defraud employer/client Expense accounts,
  charges/expenses to clients
• Take full responsibility for our actions

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IEEE Code of Ethicshas a Long History

• 1912 Code adopted by the American Institute of
  Electrical Engineers (AIEE).
• 1963 IEEE endorsed Canons of Ethics of
  Engineers.
• 1974 Board of Directors approved IEEE Code of
  Ethics for Engineers.
• 1979-89 Code underwent a few revisions.
• 1990 Board of Directors approved simplified
  IEEE Code of Ethics.
• 2006 Board of Directors approved revision to
  the IEEE Code of Ethics.

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EMCC Structure/Charge

• Nine members
• Reports to the IEEE Board of Directors
• Makes recommendations for policies and/or
  educational programs to promote the ethical
  behavior of members and staff
• Considers instituting proceedings, as defined in
  IEEE Bylaws I-110 and I-111, related to matters
  of member and officer discipline

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Limit on Activities

• EMCC cannot solicit or invite complaints
• EMCC cannot provide advice to individuals

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Summary of the Handling of Member Conduct
Complaints

• The EMCC receives complaints from members about
  the conduct of other members.
• The EMCC conducts a preliminary investigation.
• If the EMCC finds that the facts can be proven
  and constitute cause for
• censure,
• suspension, or
• expulsion
• a Hearing Board is convened.
• The Hearing Board deliberates.
• The IEEE Board of Directors takes final action.

See Bylaws I-110 and I-111 and Policy 7.11
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Student Ethics Competition

• Major student event at IEEE Region and Section
  level
• Objectives of the competition program are
• foster familiarity with the IEEE Code of Ethics
  and ethical concepts
• promote a model for discussing and analyzing
  ethical questions
• provide experience in applying ethical concepts
  to typical professional situations.

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Student Ethics Competition

• EMCC case studies or develop your own cases
• 400 US for the Student Branch of the winning
  team and 200 for the runner-up team
• Certificates for winning teams signed by the EMCC
  Chair and the IEEE President.
• Certificate of participation for all participants
  signed by the EMCC Chair and the IEEE President.
• Guidelines available at http//www.ieee.org/go/st
  udentethics

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Past Winners of IEEE Student Ethics Competition

• 2007
• Region 2 DeVry University, Columbus, Cincinnati,
  OH Conference Host University of Cincinnati
• Region 3 Virginia Commonwealth University,
  Richmond, VA
• Conference Host SoutheastCon 2007
• Region 5 University of Missouri Rolla,
  Fayetteville, AR Conference Host Region 5
  Conference/IEEE
• Region 10 Chengannur College of Engineering,
  Kuttipuram, India Conference Host M.E.S.
  College of Engineering

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Past Winners of IEEE Student Ethics Competition

• 2006
• Region 2 George Washington University,
  Philadelphia, PA Conference Host Drexel
  University/IEEE
• Region 3 Virginia Commonwealth University,
  Memphis, TN Conference Host SoutheastCon 2006
• Region 4 Valparaiso University, Valparaiso,
  IN Conference Host Valparaiso University
• Region 8 Alexandria University, Alexandria,
  Egypt Conference Host Alexandria University
• 2005
• Region 2 Location of Competition Glassboro,
  NJ Conference Host Rowan University

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IEEE Student Ethics Competition

• Guidelines and Requirements
• Competition is suggested to be between 4 to 6
  teams made up of 2 to 3 IEEE Student / Graduate
  Student Members.
• Each team represents its student branch or
  similar group.
• Each team is sequestered and given a period of
  time to prepare a presentation and defense of an
  ethical situation provided by the sponsor.
• Each teams presentation / defense will be judged
  by a group of 3 to 6 judges using a standardized
  judging form.

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IEEE Student Ethics Competition

• Sponsor Responsibilities
• Contact EMCC for funding approval
• Set date/location for competition
• Provide event plan details
• Request funding approval
• Organize and advertise the competition
• Select judges
• Notify EMCC of participants prior to competition
  (for certificates)
• Notify EMCC of results (winners)

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IEEE Student Ethics Competition

• Recommendations
• Schedule a Student Ethics Competition in your
  Region, Section and/or Chapter
• Access Guidelines and Requirements
• Select an IEEE program/venue that will attract
  sufficient student involvement
• Establish a management team and panel of judges
• Select a case from the EMCC portfolio or produce
  your own
• Notify EMCC of plans and request funding approval
  to the SEC Coordinator at ethics_at_ieee.org

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IEEE Award for Distinguished Ethical Practices

• Description of the award An Institute-level
  award for
• (a) exemplary ethical behavior / practices
  and/or
• (b) persuasive advocacy or promotion of ethical
  behavior / practices.
• Eligibility Members of the IEEE and
  organizations that employ IEEE members.
• Nomination Deadline 1 July
• Nominations reviewed by Award Selection Committee
• Approved by the EMCC and Board of Directors
• Online Nomination Form Information Available
  at
• http//www.ieee.org/go/ethicsaward

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2008IEEE Ethics and Member Conduct Committee

• Charles E. Hickman, Chair
• Janet Bradley
• Patricia Daniels
• Marion O. Hagler
• Joseph R. Herkert
• Juan C. Miguez
• Mark OMalley
• Maria I. Valla
• Daniel S. Yeung

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Contact/Web Information

• Email ethics_at_ieee.org
• to make inquiries or
• to request resource materials
• booth
• brochures
• Web http//www.ieee.org/ethics