NSPE Code of Ethics Case Study (Parkville)

I

Elizabeth Dorsey is an engineer at CDC, Inc., a large corporation in a crowded metropolitan area. Elizabeth prefers living in a smaller community. So she commutes 30 miles daily from her home in Parkville, a community of fewer than 5,000 people. Noted for her environmental concerns, Elizabeth is on Parkville’s Committee for Environmental Quality, a small but active citizen’s group. Last year the committee successfully spearheaded opposition to rezoning a Parkville recreational and wildlife area for commercial purposes. While acknowledging that commercial development would aid the local economy, the committee convinced the City Council that economic progress should not come at the expense of the environment. However, now Elizabeth is facing a difficult problem. She has learned that CDC has its eyes on the recreational and wildlife area for developing a new facility. What do you think she should do? Explain.

II

CDC, Inc., a large corporation in a crowded metropolitan area, needs to expand its operations. This will require a new facility. But the immediate area has little to offer. In surveying surrounding areas CDC’s planning committee has determined that the most desirable location for its new facility would be in nearby Parkville’s recreational and wildlife area. The planning committee is now authorized by CDC to approach Parkville’s City Council. CDC makes what it considers to be a very generous offer to the City Council. Presenting itself as an environmentally conscious corporation, CDC says it will need only 25% of the wildlife and recreational area; it will carefully monitor and control emissions into the air and water, using “beyond the state of the art” equipment and standards; it will annually contribute funds for the preservation and maintenance of the remaining 75% of the wildlife and recreational area. In addition, CDC points out how its presence will increase the tax base of Parkville, create new jobs, and enhance the local economy. A member of CDC’s planning committee learns that one of CDC’s engineers, Elizabeth Dorsey, lives in Parkville. He suggests to committee chair, Jim Bartlett, that someone talk to her to see if she might be able to “soften up” Parkville City Council members. Jim thinks this is a good idea and calls David Jensen, chief engineer of Elizabeth’s unit. “David,” Jim says, “I’d like you to talk with one of your engineers, Elizabeth Dorsey, about our efforts to secure some land near Parkville.” Jim goes on to detail CDC’s plans and what he would like Elizabeth to be asked to do. How should David respond to Jim’s request? Assuming he agrees to talk with Elizabeth, what should he say?