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This story is part of our March 2022 CoSIDA 360 package, to view more stories,
click here.
Review the updated CoSIDA Code of Ethics here
CoSIDA updates its Code of Ethics
by Doug Vance – CoSIDA Executive Director of Membership Engagement @dvancecosida
I wonder how many CoSIDA members have read the organization’s
Code of Ethics? For that matter, how many are aware a set of standards exists?
It’s my belief that if we invited our 3,000-plus members into a room and asked those two questions, not many hands would be raised.
That list of professional virtues is easy to access. It’s available under
About Us on the organization’s website and, on behalf of CoSIDA leadership, I’m on a crusade to attract attention to it. There is an important reason to raise awareness about the rule of conduct in our profession. I’m seeing more and more instances of questionable ethical behavior from those in our profession than at any point in my career.
I’ve noticed instances of both minor and major lapses of judgement. Some do stand out as conduct that, in my judgement, is embarrassing to the profession, CoSIDA and the institution those violators represent.
Obviously, this concern isn’t a reflection of people having bad intentions. Being more open and critical is a product of a changing society where ethical boundaries have sometimes been torn down. In addition, the influence of social media where messages are delivered without having to face someone in person has possibly swayed values and habits. I was surprised to learn that
Twitter has its own Code of Ethics for users.
What constitutes acceptable ethical behavior can be murky. This job can present a variety of ethical dilemmas to test us from time-to-time. However,
professionalism is one of the values and guiding principles that was identified in the organization’s most recent strategic plan.
Criticisms on social channels of colleagues is not an example of professionalism.
No matter the situation, we should always be respectful, understanding and patient with others in the profession.
If you are a representative of the athletic communications community and a member of CoSIDA, it should be a foundational principal to know and understand the parameters of expected ethical behavior. That guidance can be found in our
Code of Ethics.
Those who serve on the
CoSIDA Executive Board of Directors and Advocacy Committee have also noticed this growing trend of ethical negligence. As a result, the Board authorized the Advocacy Committee this year and select staff members to review the Code and revise it.
The update was recently completed and adopted by the Executive Board in February.
The original CoSIDA Code of Ethics was written by
Bud Nangle, former longtime SID at Northern Illinois and CoSIDA Hall of Famer, in 1974.
Mike Korcek, then an assistant who later replaced Nangle in the same role, remembers helping his boss with the Code development. Korcek later served many years as chair of CoSIDA’s Ethics Committee.
“I cannot imagine any white-collar occupation, let alone CoSIDA, without a Code of Ethics, or at least a basic guideline or standard for professional behavior,” says Korcek, who has been retired for 16 years.
Korcek labels himself a “old-school outlier” and acknowledges that the profession is much different than it was during his years in the profession.
"SIDs are an external arm of higher education and should reflect that calling,” Korcek explains. “I see no other position in intercollegiate athletics with such an accountability duality: namely, our institution, boss, media, student-athletes, coaches, alums, parents, etc. SIDs answer to many. We have a unique and demanding vocation.”
“As I look back, my staff and I were privileged to be part of the CoSIDA brotherhood/sisterhood for decades where cooperation and working with one another was essential. It still is. Our Code of Ethics is a friendly, convenient, professional reminder.
“As important as updated technology is, SIDs cannot ignore personal integrity and relationships," Korcek adds.
Let this serve as a “friendly reminder” about our ethical obligations as members of CoSIDA. I encourage you to not only review the
CoSIDA Code of Ethics, but practice the standards it lays out.
Note: Special thanks to Advocacy Committee members Danny Barnts (California Collegiate Athletic Conference), Michael Williams (Illinois State), Jay Stancil (Union College, Ky.), Akilah Laster along with CoSIDA national staff members Barb Kowal and Laurie Bollig for their involvement in the Code of Ethics revision.
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