This document describes an ethical dilemma case study involving an academic advisor (Phil) and his student (Ross) at Grantland University. Ross is currently studying engineering but wants to switch to philosophy, which his parents strongly oppose due to his sister's negative experience in that major. The summary discusses potential issues of dual relationships, confidentiality under FERPA, and conflicting ethical standards facing Phil in advising Ross. It provides an analysis of the case and recommendations based on ethical principles from CAS, ACPA and NASPA for how Phil can best support Ross's autonomy and interests while avoiding potential harm.

1. Ethical Dilemma Case Study:
The Case of the Pressuring Parents
Deb Bishop
Quin Gonell
Angel Seto
Salem State University
EDU803B Helping Skills for Student Affairs Professionals II
Fall 2014
Dr. Randi Korn

2.  Setting
 Grantland University, a large, public research institution
in the Southeast
 Characters
 Phil, Academic Advisor for undecided students
 Ross, first-semester student
 Ross’ family
Background Information

3.  Who is Phil?
 Who is Ross?
 What major is Ross currently studying and what major
does he want to study?
 What happened to Ross’s sister when she declared
Philosophy?
Pop Quiz!

4. CONCERNS:
∗ Potential for the development of a Dual Relationship
∗ Confidentiality (FERPA)
∗ Conflicting Ethical Standards
∗ Ethical standards (CAS, ACPA, and NASPA) reflect
different points of view in emphasis
Analyzing the Case Study

5.  Potential for the development of a Dual Relationship
∗ Phil is Ross’s advisor not his lawyer, therapist or
guardian
∗ If Phil does not make this boundary clear Ross could
grow too dependent
Analyzing the Case Study

6. Confidentiality
 FERPA: Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (1974)
 Purpose: to protect the student, more specifically, to
protect the rights of students’ education records to
remain private (p.65, Reynolds, 2009)
∗ This privacy does not exclude parents
Analyzing the Case Study

7. Confidentiality
FERPA Limitations
Some schools have disclosed student records to:
- other academic institutions
- family members of students who are in crisis or engaging
in self-destructive behavior
∗ Ambiguity remains with regard to interpretation and
application in different cases.
∗ Reynolds recommends seeking assistance from legal
counsel whenever expectations are not clear
Analyzing the Case Study

8. Conflicting Ethical Standards
∗ Autonomy merits: Encouraging Ross to pursue an
education plan that interests him
∗ Justice merits: Advising Ross that his parents don’t need
to be aware of his student records
On the other Hand…
* Do No Harm merits: Advising caution in deciding to switch
out of engineering due to risk of losing parent’s financial
support.
Analyzing the Case Study

9. Conflicting Ethical Standards
Solution:
Reference CAS Advising Standards:
- “ advisers should craft a coherent educational plan based on
assessment of abilities, aspirations, interests, and values of the
student”
Reference CAS Ethics Principle III, Beneficence Standard:
- “we consider the thoughts and feelings of others”
QUESTIONS:
- Do these standards outweigh the conflicting ethical standards?
… if the answer is yes, then...
- According to these standards: What should matter most to Phil?
Analyzing the Case Study

10. ACPA ethical principles and standards are categorized in four realms:
1. Professional Responsibility and Competence; Ross’s responsibility is to
provide sound advice based on theoretical principles and current,
accurate information
2. Student Learning and Development; Ross’s responsibility is to treat all his
advisees with respect, explain the process of college assessment, policies
and expectations, and provide students with the support that they require
or refer them to other qualified professionals.
3. Responsibility to the Institution; Ross’s responsibility is to distribute to the
college generally, and specifically, to its students’ success.
4. Responsibility to Society; Ross’s responsibility is to demonstrate concern
on behalf of all students and be a model of behavior and social norms of
his community.
Ethical Principles and
Recommendations: ACPA

11. Ethical professional practice “focuses specifically on the integration of ethics into all
aspects of self and professional practice” (Bresciani & Todd, 2010).
Basic:
 Behavior, professionalism, and boundaries; calling Ross’s parents crosses the line
and sets the expectation that faculty/staff will do things FOR Ross and will
continue to hold his hand throughout college
 Resources to help with ethical issues; Phil should offer peer resources to Ross
including First Generation resources, student groups, and peer advising
Bresciani, M. & Todd, D. (2010). Professional Competency Areas of Student Affairs
Practitioners. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
Ethical Principles and
Recommendations: NASPA

12. Intermediate:
 Personal code of ethics; Phil should utilize challenge and
support when helping Ross by challenging Ross to have
that difficult conversation with his parents but supporting
him with resources of how to do so
Advanced:
 Discuss and provide assistance to colleagues about ethical
dilemmas; Phil can use this experience to educate his
colleagues and discuss best practices with ethics and
students
Ethical Principles and
Recommendations: NASPA

13. I. Autonomy:
- Phil must respects Ross’s freedom to study what he is most interested in
- Phil must do what he can to empower Ross to make his own choices
II. Non-malfeasance:
- Phil must be careful not to influence Ross to make any decisions that
would bring him harm
- Phil’s work with Ross must be to achieve positive outcomes
- Phil must help Ross make decisions that will help him develop holistically
- Ross’s rights must be respected
III. Beneficence
- Phil must be considerate of the true thoughts, feelings and interests of
Ross in order to achieve positive outcomes that benefit the student
Ethical Principles and
Recommendations: CAS

14. IV. Justice
- Phil must recognize that Ross is a 1st year student and must be aware of any
limitations and or opportunities that are created by this fact
- Phil must respect Ross’s rights and make Ross aware of them especially concerning
confidentiality/the release of student information with regard to the FERPA law
V. Fidelity
- Phil must treat Ross’s concerns with respect and urgency and not assume that
Ross’s issues with his parents are less serious due to the fact that Ross is no longer a
child.
- Phil must reference the FERPA law and any on campus resources/policies that would
help him understand the legality of his responsibilities with regard to the ongoing
issue between Ross and his parents.
Ethical Principles and
Recommendations: CAS

15. VI. Veracity
- Phil must be sure to follow through with any next steps regarding Ross’s
issue in a timely manner
- Phil must be sure to relay any information about this case to or from Ross
in a manner that is as accurate and factual as possible
VII. Affiliation
- Phil must make sure that Ross is aware of any other services that could be
supportive to him in this situation
- Phil should take steps to initiate contact between Ross and any other on-
campus student support personnel that can assist him
Ethical Principles and
Recommendations: CAS

16. 1. Challenge and support short-term goals. In order to optimize success for
Ross’s current semester, Phil should encourage student to be successful in
calculus. This step is grounded in the desire to prevent Ross from making any
decisions based on fear or a lack of information (non-malfeasance).
a. Recommend Ross seek help: professor’s office hours, peer tutoring, math
lab
b. Recommend Ross discover student groups (Engineers without Borders,
etc.)
c. Recommend Ross connect with a peer advisor or group activities for First
Generation
d. Phil to discuss with Ross the structure and organization of advising
syllabus to assure the student comprehends the logistics, sequence and
utility of the advising steps
“Because many developmental education students are first-generation college
students, they are not likely to have a well-developed concept or vocabulary
about higher education” (Gordon, V.N. & W.R. Habley, 2000, Academic
Advising, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, p. 135).
Recommendations & Strategies

17. 2. Phil should assess Ross’ academic strengths and weaknesses in order to
assist Ross in considering alternative majors such as psychology. It is Phil’s
responsibility to assist Ross to also discover the impact on his long-term
goals. This step is grounded in the ideas to validate Ross’ freedom to study
what most interests him, be considerate of his feelings, empower him to make
his own choices, and provide relevant resources (autonomy, beneficence,
veracity). The results may or maynot impact Ross’ parents’ funding.
a. Visit Career Services and explore online resources such as Vocational
Biographies and Road Trip Nation
b. Get information at Financial Aid about scholarships, etc.; consider financial
literacy class
Recommendations & Strategies

18. 3. Phil should support Ross’ efforts to inform and educate parents about
decisions he is making about his academic, career and life plans. This step is
based on Phil’s obligations according to FERPA, as well as serving Ross’ special
circumstances as a first generation student (justice, fidelity, affiliation).
a. Assist student with communication skills, including role-playing
b. Visit Counseling Services
4. Phil should assist Ross to make an outline of next steps and schedule a
follow-up appointment. This step is based on the goals to follow through
(veracity and affiliation).
Recommendations & Strategies

19. Questions?