September 01, 1999

Faculty Ethics Institute

The following is a brief summary of a report compiled by Dr. Michael Rich, associate professor of political science, and Stacia Brown. Dr. Rich facilitated this year's annual Faculty Ethics Institute, sponsored by the Ethics Center, which brought together faculty from across the disciplines in the university to examine "University and Community: Exploring the Ethics of Accountability, Advocacy, and Activism."

During the 1990s, universities across the country have emerged as important players in community building and urban revitalization initiatives. The impetus for these types of engagements has generally come from two directions: locally, due to challenges and opportunities unique to each community; and nationally, due to funding and support provided by the federal government as well as national foundations.

Emory's mission statement lays the foundation for the University's involvement in these civic engagements. Here ongoing discussions are taking place that examine ways the university is realizing this mission and that set goals and devise formative strategies for continued progress. During the seminar, faculty strategized building an infrastructure; discussed ways in which Emory might successfully integrate excellent teaching, service, and research; and explored what Ira Harkavy terms "education for citizenship."

A number of recommendations were generated during the intensive, four-day seminar, including the formulation of a strategic plan that included general, short-term (1-6 months), middle-term (6-18 months), and long-term (18+ months) goals. General recommendations included:

  • Clear signals of support must be obtained from the highest levels of university leadership;
  • A cadre of community-oriented faculty needs to be cultivated and provided with a central gathering or meeting place;
  • Emory should partner with the Atlanta community at all levels of this project and must learn to respond quickly and effectively to urgent community needs and crises.

For the full text of the seminar's findings and recommendations, contact Stacia Brown. A follow-up meeting for seminar participants has been scheduled for 15 September 1999.

[ Posted by Stacia Brown at September 1, 1999 09:08 AM | More Summer Faculty Seminar articles ]

© 2000-1999 by the Center for Ethics, Emory University. Some rights reserved.
Comments