Ethics

AT CULVERHOUSE

In pursuit of our mission, vision, and values, the Culverhouse College of Business is dedicated to the aggressive pursuit of ethics and ethics education that complements the rigorous technical training in our undergraduate and graduate programs. Our focus on ethics is consistent with the university’s Code of Academic Conduct. We take ethics and character seriously!

Ethics in Eight

The “Ethics in Eight” program at the Culverhouse College of Business is designed to develop students’ ethical judgment and decision-making skills for use in their personal and professional lives. This program reflects the college’s commitment to comprehensive ethics education as an essential complement to technical training and soft skill development. The program offers the following eight training modules available for use by students and instructors:

  1. Introduction to Ethics
  2. Quality and Excellence
  3. Student Code of Conduct
  4. Understanding Academic Misconduct
  5. Respect for Differences
  6. Safety and Security
  7. Ethical Reasoning
  8. Being a Sentinel

Academic Honor Council (AHC)

The purpose of the student-led AHC in the Culverhouse College of Business is to promote honor and integrity in the study and practice of business in accordance with the values of the Capstone Creed, “As a member of the University of Alabama community, I will pursue knowledge; act with fairness, honesty, and respect; foster individual and civic responsibility; and strive for excellence.”

The AHC will strive to:

  • Promote academic integrity and help educate business students about how develop and maintain strong character and ethical habits in their personal and professional lives.
  • Help organize and implement integrity-related events each semester, e.g., “Integrity Week,” the J. Craig Smith Business Ethics Lecture, and an integrity-focused competition.
  • Provide classroom presentations to business classes on academic integrity and its importance.
  • Maintain active, positive internet presence, including in the college website and social media.
  • Interact and partner with the college’s Ethics Advisory Committee to pursue ethics-related objectives.
  • If requested, provide input to the Academic Misconduct Monitor and/or Dean on allegations of academic misconduct.

Members of the 2024-2025 AHC include: (L to R) Front Row: Damaria Ponder, Kelsey Canavan, Audrey Kilgore, Katie Poland (AHC Advisor); Back Row: Braxton Harrelson, Cole Bernhardt, Caroline Moore, Justin Stern. Not pictured: Turner Locke, Nnenna Nwannu

Ethics Advisory Committee (EAC)

The Ethics Advisory Committee (EAC) in the Culverhouse College of Business helps develop and manage the college’s ethics program. The EAC works with the Dean, faculty, staff, and students to implement existing ethics initiatives andseek innovative, proactive methods for promoting ethics and character development. Members of the 2023-2024 EAC include:
  • Yuanyuan Chen, Ph.D; Assistant Professor of IS, Statistics, and Management Science
  • Todd DeZoort, Ph.D; Durr-Fillauer Chair in Business Ethics & Professor of Accounting
  • William Jackson III, Ph.D; Smith Foundation Chair of Business Integrity & Professor of Management
  • James King, Ph.D; Minnie Caddell Miles-Frank A. Rose Memorial Endowed C&BA Professorship of Leadership
  • Candace McCain; Clinical Instructor of Marketing
  • Katherine McDonald; Chief Justice, Culverhouse Academic Honor Council
  • Robert McLeod, Ph.D; John S. Bickley Faculty Fellow in Insurance and Finance
  • Kay Palan, Ph.D; Ex Officio Member and Dean of the Culverhouse College of Business
  • Troy Pollard, Ph.D; Associate Professor of Accounting (Committee Chair)
  • Stan Westjohn, Ph.D; Assistant Professor of Marketing

The J. Craig Smith Business Ethics Lecture

The J. Craig Smith Business Ethics Lecture Series brings in select accomplished speakers with unique, personal perspectives on the ethical challenges inherent in business. Previous speakers include Tony Menendez, Kay Palan, Alton Sizemore, Bill Battle, Cynthia Cooper, Walt Pavlo, Alice Martin, John Allison, Drayton Nabers, Jay Grinney, and Samuel Moses. On April 15, 2024, the Culverhouse College of Business welcomed Richard Bowen as the 2024 J. Craig Smith Business Ethics Lecturer.

Richard Bowen

THE J. CRAIG SMITH INTEGRITY AWARD

The J. Craig Smith Integrity Award recognizes outstanding students in the college who consistently exemplify the values of integrity and compassion that J. Craig Smith built in his business career and personal life. The students receiving this annual award exhibit strong character, clear signs of rigorous ethical thinking, and a commitment to advancing the quality of life in the wider community, especially for those less fortunate. Past winners include:

  • 2024: Samuel Guerrero, Micah Hodes
  • 2023: Mattie Bryant, Sydney Helgeson, Katherine McDonald, Gabrielle Odinet
  • 2019: Jacqueline Berg, Abby Greenwell, Destiny Pollard, Erin Washington
  • 2018: Lauren Beers, Whitney Cravens, Becca Gary, Jaiden Gonzalez
  • 2017: McKenzie Gravitt, Caroline Morrison, Paige Sims, Emily Zapinski
  • 2016: Kaitlyn Haefer, Grace Hudgins, Polly Rickets, Shirin Torabinejad
  • 2015: Sarah Kim, Nathan Miklovic, Kendall Roden, Abby Snyder
  • 2014: Hayley Ginn, David Hose, Erika McCalpine, John Pounders

Personal Code of Ethics

The College has a Personal Code of Ethics (PCE) program that requires all students to consider and communicate their personal assortment of virtues, vices, and ethical priorities as they develop personally and professionally. The PCE is a critical part of the Ethics Program because it provides a formal opportunity for all students to develop personal standards of conduct that they can apply both in and out of class.

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