Issue 417: 4 / 2 / 2012

When we take a look at current times, we often wonder if people have lost morals and values. Our government leaders, spiritual leaders, education leaders and average citizens seem to be faced with ethical issues. Ethics is defined as a system or set of moral principles relating to human conduct with respect to the rightness and wrongness of actions and the goodness and badness of motives.

With the support of the Assisi Foundation, Southwest has joined the Ethical Literacy Community to promote ethical practices throughout our institution. The committee has asked Southwest leaders to give insight on their thoughts regarding ethics, and will be sharing those comments in this publication. Our first comments come from President Nathan Essex (below), and will be followed by a series of other comments from individuals throughout the Southwest family.

How does ethical behavior impact the operations at Southwest?

Ethical behavior impacts the operation of Southwest in the sense that it determines if the College treats employees with dignity and respect. Ethical behavior exhibited by College leaders determines, to a large extent, whether employees exhibit ethical behavior in their employment positions as well. Southwest must be guided by moral principles that govern our behavior as we strive to achieve the College’s mission and vision. In doing so, we must articulate and embody the purpose and values of the College to ensure that our actions are framed in ethical terms.

Nathan L. Essex, President