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