Awards Program For Ethics Advocacy By PRSSA Chapters

2009 application form: PDF | Word

Deadline: Monday, October 12

The Awards

The following PRSSA Chapter honors for Ethics Advocacy will be presented at PRSSA Awards Event during the 2009 National Conference in San Diego:

• FIRST PLACE $1,000 / FACULTY ADVISOR $250

• SECOND PLACE $750 / FACULTY ADVISOR $150

• THIRD PLACE $500 / FACULTY ADVISOR $100

Background on Competition

When PRSA was established 60 years ago, its founders made ethical performance a requisite for current and future members. Today, each member must pledge to uphold the PRSA Code of Ethics in professional practice. PRSA’s Board of Ethics and Professional Standards (BEPS) is responsible for giving priority to professional ethics throughout the organization.

PRSSA is also committed to professional ethics. Faculty Advisors and other educators emphasize that subject in classrooms, often citing case histories on ethical problems in the practice. BEPS also encourages both PRSA and PRSSA Chapters to observe “Ethics Month” each September in their programming.

Early in this decade, unethical practice by some organizations – both for profit and not-for-profit – captured widespread attention by media, share owners and supporters, employees, customers and the public-at-large. Several executives were convicted for illegal, unethical behaviors. Such actions have escalated ongoing public concern about ethics in all areas of society – business, politics, the community and in personal life.

Those concerns also reached to students – particularly those in secondary and higher education. In pursuing their studies for future careers, many were learning about professional ethics and codes. However, in their here and now behavior, there has been increasing evidence of cheating and plagiarism – often abetted by extensive resources available via computer. Unfortunately -- and despite academic Honor Codes – there also appears to be a growing acceptance of such practices, even by students whose own personal standards are high. Both educators and future employers are becoming increasingly concerned.

For those reasons, in 2005 the prestigious Bateman Competition for PRSSA Chapters focused on ethics. It challenged PRSSA Chapters and members to become “Advocates for Ethical Behavior” on their campuses – supporting their schools’ Honor Codes and enforcement, researching peer attitudes toward ethical and unethical behavior, and demonstrating their own commitment to ethics during their academic years and beyond.

Sixty-two chapters participated in that 2005 competition. Many were so encouraged by what they had accomplished that they expressed a desire to continue their advocacy.

In response to that challenge, the Plank Center, established by University of Alabama Trustees, volunteered to sponsor the Annual Ethics Advocacy Awards for PRSSA Chapters. Since 2006, chapters at these universities have been proudly honored: Belmont; Illinois State; California State, Fullerton; Nebraska at Omaha; Rowan; Southeast Missouri State, and South Florida.

YOUR CHAPTER CAN NOW EARN A PLACE ON THAT UNIQUE HONOR ROLL!

Plan and conduct your Chapter activities to become a recognized and respected Ethics Advocate on your campus.

Report those activities in your entry.

Accompany your report with the completed Entry Form here.

Be sure to meet the deadline: Monday, October 12.

THE CENTER RECOGNIZES THAT –

-- Ethical behavior is fundamental to public relations, which is responsible for building trusted relationships and respect between institutions and their constituencies. Beyond professional codes essential to the practice, it is also a personal commitment. Each student brings his or her understanding of ethical behavior to the campus, then to the workplace, influencing colleagues, employers and clients, and the institutions served thoughout a career lifetime.

-- Through PRSSA, students can represent the integrity of the profession to which they aspire. They can take the challenge to become exemplars, leaders and advocates for ethical behavior among their peers – TODAY!

Winners - 2008

First Place - Brittany Vella, AJF-Rowan University / M. Larry Litwin, APR, Fellow PRSA, AJF-Rowan University

Second Place - Lisa Lifton, California State University, Fullerton / Dean Kazoleas, Ph.D. APR, California State University, Fullerton

Third Place - Lauren Opelt, University of South Florida — Tampa / Robert Batchelor, University of South Florida — Tampa

Winners - 2007

First Place - California State University, Fullerton, Dr. Dean Kazoleas, APR

Second Place - Illinois State University, Dr. Tomasz Fediuk

Third Place - Belmont University, Dr. Bonnie Reichert, APR, Fellow PRSA; Southeast Missouri State University, Dr. Susan Gonders, APR, Fellow PRSA

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