This month's "Educause review" has an interesting article on possible ramifications of the recent student loan kick-back scandal (plus other scandals involving non-profit organizations and ethics) and how this could affect campus IT professionals. 

 

http://www.educause.edu/apps/er/erm07/erm0760.asp

 

Appropriate purchases are not only considered, but also corporate sponsored events, personal investments (e.g. stocks), and implied endorsements (e.g. t-shirts or mugs).  I could not find anything that addresses this; The AUP, FERPA rules, Sensitive Data Campaign, etc. address usage / administration of data and network / computing equipment.  Purchasing has its rules, but conflict-of-interest goes beyond that.  I don't plan on hiding my SGI mug.  But, then again, maybe I am subconsciously helping sales (I doubt it!).

                                                                                                                                                               

Seriously, though, has MSU thought about a conflict-of-interest or ethics policy for the IT folks?   It is a valid concern?

 

 ~ Esther

 

Esther V. V. Reed

IT Systems Administrator

MSU Graduate School