UCCS Students, Faculty, and Staff:

The COVID-19 situation has created uncertainty and change. We are working and studying remotely, changing travel plans and events, and we are all facing transitions in our academic, work, and personal lives. UCCS leadership is taking strong action to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and the community. This week, Chancellor Venkat Reddy announced an extension of remote learning and remote work until the end of the Spring 2020 semester.

In response to these actions, the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at the UCCS College of Business cancelled spring events, including the second annual UCCS DFEI Southern Colorado Ethics Summit in Pueblo, CO. Campus events planned with support from the DFEI have been cancelled or delayed.

Our students worked diligently to prepare for national and regional ethics case competitions, which unfortunately had to be cancelled before they could compete. These included the National Bioethics Bowl, the College Sport Research Institute Conference and Case Competition, and the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program Case Competition. I applaud the students’ work to explore solutions to ethical dilemmas and we encourage participation in future competitions.

Ethics does not halt for a crisis. Although our current circumstances may seem challenging, this situation is the perfect scenario to examine ethical decision-making. What are the ethical issues in a public health crisis? Consider the privacy of patients and clients, cybercriminals exploiting coronavirus situations, price gouging, and employee welfare. These are excellent opportunities to explore the range of ethical issues surrounding the pandemic.

DFEI is still offering virtual opportunities for UCCS undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff to engage in ethics remotely:

• You are encouraged to apply for funds to complete an online Ethical Leadership Certification Program or a Coursera class on ethical issues.
• Look for upcoming Ethics Trivia opportunities on PIPs.
• Submit a video to the Ethics in Action Video Competition.
• Enter into the annual Ethics Essay Contest.
• Nominate a student or faculty member for the Campus Being a Difference Award.
• Consider joining the Student Center for Public Trust club or apply for the Student Ethics Ambassador program.

We encourage to review our upcoming opportunities and stay engaged in ethical conversations, no matter where you are. 

Sincerely,

 Tracy Gonzalez-Padron, Ph.D.,

Director of the Daniels Fund Collegiate Program,

Professor of Marketing, UCCS College of Business