Is professional ethics an endangered species? That was the focus of my keynote address at the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling conference last month in Hershey, Pa.
The speech was focused more specifically on the ethics of the college admission counseling profession. Is ethics an endangered species now that the National Association for College Admission Counseling no longer polices its ethical standards following a consent decree with the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice?
That question raises a more fundamental one: Does college admission counseling qualify as a profession?
Those of us who work in college admissions and college counseling have historically thought of ourselves as a profession. That suggests a higher calling than mere fealty to our employers, serving not only institutional interest but also the public interest. Is that still the case given the increasing commercialization of college admission/enrollment management?
The concept of professional ethical standards is embedded in the definition of professions. In his Pulitzer Prizewinning history of the American medical profession, Paul Starr identified three defining characteristics of professions:
How does college admission measure up to Starrs definition?
Of the three tenets of professionalism, the claim to technical, specialized knowledge is the weakest for college admission. Despite numerous attempts to institutionalize credentialing for college admission officers and school counselors, there is not a clear path for entry into the admission field, and we are still fighting the school counseling establishment to acknowledge that courses in college counseling should be a required part of graduate programs.
Once in the field, training and professional development are haphazard. The practice of college admission and college counseling remains more art than science, and its never been rocket science. Thats not necessarily a bad thing.
That might also be changing. Both college admission and college counseling require far more knowledge and skill than when I started my career.
Is college admission oriented toward service rather than profit? Thats a harder question to answer, and it might not be an either-or question. There is no question that higher education is an industry, with the admissions office functioning as the sales/marketing division. Admissions offices help colleges and universities achieve institutional goals ranging from revenue to diversity to mix of students.
I hope we are more than that. Saying that we are a profession means that we have a higher calling, that we serve not only our institutions but society at large. We help students make life-changing decisions about their futures, and that is noble work. We are educators rather than salespersons, colleagues rather than competitors.
The value of being a profession became clear over the past couple of years as COVID-19 forced us to retreat into our homes and offices. College admission and college counseling can be lonely jobs. No one on your campus or in your building knows exactly what you do, but they all think they do. More than anyone else at my school, I have a network of colleagues on both sides of the desk that extends not just locally but nationally. I can reach out to those colleagues with a question or to vent and they will understand.
I worry that may be endangered. Are we one profession with two sides of the desk or are college admission and college counseling becoming two different professions? I hope that Angel Prez and the National Association for College Admission Counseling will give attention to that issue.
The third tenet of Starrs definition of professions is being self-regulating, with standards of practice and a code of ethics. For decades NACACs foundation was its commitment to and enforcement of ethical standards for college admission. In fact, one of the reasons NACAC was founded 85 years ago was to ensure that admissions officers were not compensated on a per-head basis.
But what happens when a professional organization cant enforce ethical standards? In 2016 NACAC appointed a steering committee to take a fresh look at its Statement of Principles of Good Practice (SPGP), first adopted in 1960. The SPGP was a set of rules rather than a statement of principles, amended annually (sometimes on the fly) in response to colleges pushing the envelope on recruiting practices.
I was a member of the steering committee, and I consider its work an example of NACAC at its bestthoughtful, deliberative, with lots of input from the membership. The result was a new document, the Code of Ethics and Professional Practice (CEPP). The CEPP was passed unanimously by both the NACAC Assembly and the membership. Anyone who has spent any time in NACAC knows that is rare, maybe even unprecedented.
Not long after the CEPP was passed, NACAC was the target of an inquiry, and later an investigation, from the antitrust division of the Department of Justice. The DOJ alleged that NACACs ethical rules prohibiting incentives for early decision and prohibiting poaching of students already enrolled at another institution unfairly restricted colleges from recruiting.
I would argue that the issue was not as much those prohibitions as the fact that NACAC was policing and enforcing its ethical standards. One of the first issues discussed by the steering committee was enforcement, and the consensus of the group, propelled by several members who had chaired NACACs Admission Practices Committee, was that mandatory ethical rules enforced by the organization were important. At the time NACAC was one of the few professional organizations enforcing ethical rules.
In retrospect it is clear that NACAC and the DOJ were operating from different assumptions and interpretations. NACAC saw its ethical code as protecting students from coercion and manipulation, while the DOJ saw NACAC as hurting students by limiting institutions recruiting practices, which in turn would result in students paying less for college. The DOJ seemed to see NACAC as a cartel controlling college admissions rather than a voluntary membership organization. NACACs enforcement of its ethical code rarely if ever resulted in penalties to institutions, as most inquiries were resolved amiably.
Nevertheless, the DOJ investigation shook NACAC to its core. The NACAC leadership determined that fighting DOJ could jeopardize the organizations existence, and they entered into a consent decree. There is now a successor document to the CEPP, the Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission. It does not differ dramatically from the CEPP but has made the various tenets best practices, removing any reference to monitoring or compliance.
So is professional ethics an endangered species post-DOJ and postOperation Varsity Blues? I would argue that a commitment to ethics is more important than ever before.
Changing from mandatory to best practices doesnt have to change the way we conduct ourselves. Best practices are just that, and whether or not the rules are policed, the ethical principles underlying them are still compelling, calling us to act honorably and truthfully in our professional work. Just because something is permissible doesnt make it a good idea.
Ethics comes from the Greek word ethos, meaning distinguishing character or guiding principles. Ethics is about ideals and is normative or prescriptive, asking, How should we act?
So what are the ideals guiding the college admission/counseling profession?
That last one has been imperiled by the revelations coming out of the Operation Varsity Blues scandal. Even though no admission officers were implicated, the colleges involved looked less like victims than unindicted co-conspirators. Varsity Blues reinforced the idea that the college admissions process rewards the already privileged. Are we OK with that?
The good news is that a majority of those in our profession are committed to acting ethically and professionally. But we cant take the health of our profession for granted. Ethical common ground is more like a beach than a rock. All it takes is one major storm to do permanent damage.
We need to be ethical conservationists, and we need to voluntarily keep our house in order. Failure to do so may further erode public trust in what we do. In my speech in Hershey I quoted a famous Pennsylvanian, perhaps the most famous Pennsylvanian. In discussions preceding the Declaration of Independence, he said, We must all hang together, or most assuredly, we will all hang separately.
Words for our profession to live by.
See the original post:
Admissions needs professional ethics more than ever (opinion) - Inside Higher Ed
- 20 Brown Nail Looks to Rock All Year Long - InStyle - March 6th, 2024 [March 6th, 2024]
- 'We Mean Business' Coalition's COP28 Manifesto Neglects Major ... - Energy In Depth - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Affectionate love letter to Northampton - interactive art welcomes visitors to University bar - Yahoo News UK - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Studs and Duds from Warriors' 108-104 loss to Suns on opening night - Warriors Wire - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Desus Nice Interview: 'The Daily Show' And 'Desus & Mero' - UPROXX - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Regional Cross Country: Shady Spring girls and PikeView boys ... - Lootpress - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- What I found at Uluru: Australia's most sacred Aboriginal site - The Times - October 25th, 2023 [October 25th, 2023]
- Hot Ticket: What do bell bottoms, shrimp and '90s rock all have in ... - Galveston County Daily News - September 25th, 2023 [September 25th, 2023]
- Hotspurs and Optimists make most of extra fixture in Boston indoor bows league - Yahoo Eurosport UK - September 25th, 2023 [September 25th, 2023]
- Win Tickets to Journey's Freedom Tour - WROR - September 25th, 2023 [September 25th, 2023]
- Super Group From The 80s Set To Play In ND In Early 2024 - US 103.3 - September 25th, 2023 [September 25th, 2023]
- Rolling Stone issues statement on Jann Wenner controversy - NME - September 25th, 2023 [September 25th, 2023]
- Emma Watson just combined two of autumn's biggest trends - Yahoo News UK - September 25th, 2023 [September 25th, 2023]
- O'Shea Jackson Jr. Talks The Time His Dad Ice Cube Pulled From ... - CinemaBlend - September 25th, 2023 [September 25th, 2023]
- Can You Dig It? Discover 13 Archaeological Sites Off the Beaten Path - ARTnews - September 25th, 2023 [September 25th, 2023]
- College Football Best Bets: 3 Afternoon Predictions for Ole Miss vs ... - The Action Network - September 25th, 2023 [September 25th, 2023]
- 18 New Rock + Metal Albums That Were Announced This Week - Loudwire - September 25th, 2023 [September 25th, 2023]
- A Closer Look into the Online Gambling Scene in New Jersey - New Jersey 101.5 FM - September 25th, 2023 [September 25th, 2023]
- The Most Controversial Singers in Rock + Metal - Loudwire - September 25th, 2023 [September 25th, 2023]
- Monarchs pound the rock, pitch shutout in win over GICC - Columbus Telegram - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- "Everyone thinks my dad woke me up and went "practice your scales ... - Louder - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- A visit to Iceland where two continents meet - Irish Post - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Kibb's Bar-B-Q in Stuttgart lands on Southern Living's 'Top 50 ... - Arkansas Times - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- iPhone 15 you buy in UK has a big difference to US handsets - LADbible - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Overflow Chapel takes an acoustic approach to worship The OBU ... - OBU The Signal - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Apple users warned they're being 'robbed' as new iPhone feature ... - LADbible - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Sun Valley Vanguards Noah Griffin rushes to the promise land over ... - PA Football News - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Fire Up The Delorean - I Constructed A Roster Of Barstool ... - Barstool Sports - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- How Lakeith Stanfield Soared to the Heights of Hollywood - AnOther Magazine - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Our islands are living communities you are in them, not on - The National - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- 10 Harsh Realities About Bret Hart His Fans Need To Realize - TheSportster - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Diageo Elusive Expressions Special Release Whiskies - Quill & Pad - September 17th, 2023 [September 17th, 2023]
- Black English Teacher Says He Was Fired For Teaching Dear Martin Book To Students During Black History Month - Yahoo News - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Sabres Have Great Defensive Options With 13th Overall Pick - The Hockey Writers - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- The Avett Brothers Plan 'At The Beach' Mexico Event Ft. Charley ... - Live for Live Music - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Throwback Varsity Jackets Are Having A Fashion Renaissance (No ... - Women.com - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Digital Banking Platform Market to Gain High Momentum Driven by ... - Digital Journal - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Whats on - Matariki, roller disco, art - The Bay's News First - SunLive - June 16th, 2023 [June 16th, 2023]
- Rockall score for evaluation of upper gastrointestinal bleeding - March 31st, 2023 [March 31st, 2023]
- WWE will "never get mad at" three stars who are all incidentally former rivals of Triple H, claims former champion (Exclusive) - Sportskeeda - February 5th, 2023 [February 5th, 2023]
- Rockall Basin - Wikipedia - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- Rockall Exped - An epic expedition to raise 50,000 for charity - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- When Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra, and other Bollywood divas shared their motherhood journeys - The Indian Express - January 31st, 2023 [January 31st, 2023]
- DBTB Buffalo Sabres Open Thread - Week of Dec 19th | A very Buffalo weekend - Die By The Blade - December 21st, 2022 [December 21st, 2022]
- Andys Player Ratings: Sunderland 3-0 Millwall - Moggas Lads take their chances and bury Milwall - Roker Report - December 4th, 2022 [December 4th, 2022]
- MAMA 2022: BTS' J-Hope is a total hottie in all-black deep-neck fit in first-ever solo appearance - Zoom TV - December 4th, 2022 [December 4th, 2022]
- Fashion and Beauty Forum - clothes, shoes, hair care, skin ... - City-Data - November 25th, 2022 [November 25th, 2022]
- University of Galway Maree to host Champions Tralee - Galway Bay FM - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Classic Nature Journal: Tall trees of the Smokies inspired early naturalists - Citizen Times - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Gilla Band on New Name, 'Most Normal,' and Mental Health - Esquire - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Final Score: Cleveland Cavaliers preseason begins with a 113-112 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers - Fear the Sword - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Colts vs Broncos Picks: Our 4 Best Bets for Thursday Night Football - The Action Network - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Billy Blues Bar and Grill to host 'Rock For Autism' fundraiser - The Reflector - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Oregon Shows Signs of Greatness in 45-27 Win Over Stanford - Sports Illustrated - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- 'Community' Fans Are Hyped Up About The Movie Getting Made - UPROXX - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Willow Smith on claiming space in rock - NME - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- The Tonight Show and Samsung are coming to Fortnite metaverse this week - SamMobile - Samsung news - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- On SPARK, Whitney are rebuilt in glass and neon - The FADER - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- WCU celebrates opening of its newest residence halls - Smoky Mountain News - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- 'The Phantom of the Opera' to close on Broadway next year - RiverBender.com - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Starcrawler Keeps One Riff In Glam And Another Fist In Metal On 'She Said' (ALBUM REVIEW) - Glide Magazine - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- How the Go-Go's Antics Got Their Roadie Kicked Out of Hotels - Ultimate Classic Rock - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- No Strangers to Music: 9 "Stranger Things" Actors With Musical Connections, From Joe Keery's Djo To Millie Bobby Brown's Video Cameos - The... - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- How 'Back on the Chain Gang' Gave Purpose to Grieving Pretenders - Ultimate Classic Rock - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Best Bets of Week 2: Falcons Take Flight, Pats Burn Pittsburgh in the "Week of the Road Dog" - Fanbuzz - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Lamb of God's Randy Blythe - What It Takes to Be a Good Frontman - Loudwire - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Your Favorite Cover Artists Toyah and Fripp Are Back with 5 Minutes Alone - MetalSucks - September 6th, 2022 [September 6th, 2022]
- The Long Wait For Arctic Monkeys New Release Is Finally Almost Over - The Honey POP - September 6th, 2022 [September 6th, 2022]
- This Band Made a $3.44 Music Video. Then They Went Viral - Wired.co.uk - September 6th, 2022 [September 6th, 2022]
- Win Aerosmith Tickets And Shake Shack Gift Card With 96.3 KKLZ - 96.3 KKLZ - September 6th, 2022 [September 6th, 2022]
- Worker shortage is driving up construction costs in the Triangle - WRAL News - September 3rd, 2022 [September 3rd, 2022]
- Chris Rock Says Will Smith Oscars Slap Followed His 'Nicest' Joke - We Got This Covered - September 3rd, 2022 [September 3rd, 2022]
- The Predictions: Can Cabrillo keep up with Lompoc in the Big Game? - Santa Ynez Valley News - September 3rd, 2022 [September 3rd, 2022]
- This Band Made a $3.44 Music Video. Then They Went Viral - WIRED - September 3rd, 2022 [September 3rd, 2022]
- Franz Ferdinand at the Rooftop at Pier 17 / August 13, 2022 - Aquarian Weekly - September 3rd, 2022 [September 3rd, 2022]
- Top Quarterback Bets for 2022: Will Russell Wilson Lead the League in Passing yards? - Sportsbook Review - September 3rd, 2022 [September 3rd, 2022]
- Muse: Will of the People Review Oozing With Paranoia and Chaos - Music Feeds - September 3rd, 2022 [September 3rd, 2022]
- These Tennis Outfits Will up Your Game on and off the Court Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That - August 23rd, 2022 [August 23rd, 2022]
- Dont Play That Song! How Ben E King Broke Through With Soul - Dig! - August 23rd, 2022 [August 23rd, 2022]
- Volleyball area rankings (8/17): Prosper and Plano Prestonwood move up to No. 1; five new teams join the - The Dallas Morning News - August 23rd, 2022 [August 23rd, 2022]