The Virginia Informer

Last Updated:11/23/09 Section: News

credit : Shep Walker

Michael Powell, former Rector and chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, spoke on November 3 about community values as part of a series of lectures during Ethics Week. He emphasized that ethical decisions are a way of life, not just something to focus on during one week of the year.

Mr. Powell spoke from personal experience about the importance of living in a consistent way, including his time at the College and in the military after his graduation. He described one of the biggest challenges in his life is the way ethical issues appear clear in hindsight, yet murky when initially presented.

"If you view ethical values as a chalk line, are you going to live with chalk on your shoes? My view is that you shouldn't be anywhere near the line," he said. "I guarantee that if you dance on the line you will go over it."

Mr. Powell referenced the 2008 movie The Reader to illustrate the multiple sides a story can come from and the dangers of not questioning occurrences around us.

To avoid murky situations, he encouraged attendees to evaluate their own beliefs and come up with 10 core values that they were unwilling to compromise for anyone. Some of the components of character and an ethical code which he emphasized were trustworthiness, respect, acceptance, fairness, caring, and good citizenship.

Mr. Powell also spoke about how important ethics are in leaders, which most William and Mary students are or become to some extent.

"By virtue of your temperament and your education you will be looked to as a leader," he said. "To lead you have to have the trust of the followers."

As students leave the College and search for jobs, he encouraged them to look for congruencies and inconsistencies within prospective employing organizations. Rationalizations and bandwagon behaviors may compromise ethics if they lack a strong commitment to their beliefs.

Finally, he said that it was not good enough to commit to ethics only when authorities were watching, because eventually everyone gets caught. Although there may be an immediate gain in abandoning principles, it can undermine character and devalue leadership.

"Ethics is about courage," Mr. Powell said. "It's about really painful circumstances. I would say one of the hardest things I've ever had to grapple with is sticking to principles when there's something to be gained. It takes courage to do what's right."

Some of the other events of Ethics Week, put on by the Undergraduate Honor Council and the Student Conduct Council, included a lecture by David Callahan, author of "Cheating Culture," and a mock panel with President Reveley.

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