By Angela Mayer, EIT
ASCE Board of Direction voted unanimously in July to adopt a new cannon in the Society’s Code of Ethics. The newly adopted Canon 8 in the Code of Ethics expresses a professional obligation to provide fair and equal treatment for all. It states:
- Engineers shall, in all matters related to their profession, treat all persons fairly and encourage equitable participation without regard to gender or gender identity, race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or family, marital, or economic status.
- Engineers shall conduct themselves in a manner in which all persons are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
- Engineers shall not engage in discrimination or harassment in connection with their professional activities.
- Engineers shall consider the diversity of the community, and shall endeavor in good faith to include diverse perspectives, in the planning and performance of their professional services.
ASCE’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and the Committee on Ethical Practice began collaborating on the new canon in 2016, seeking to provide a basis for enforcing ASCE’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The new cannon has been given the nickname the “Diversity” Canon. This addition is the first revision to the ASCE code of ethics since 2006 and is the first addition of a new Canon in over 65 years.
