Educational Procurement Journal - March 2008 - (Page 20) BEST A N D F I NAL NAEP Code of Ethics by Victoria (Tory) R. Windley University of Delaware P urchasing professionals at just about every point in their careers are reminded of their unique – and let’s admit it – rather Spartan responsibilities as they relate to ethical behavior on behalf of themselves, their institutions, their communities. NAEP has a Code of Ethics that many higher education Purchasing offices post prominently. Ethics is a topic discussed in professional development sessions at all levels. Situations that present dilemmas are hashed over while professionals network. Case studies are posted on NAEP’s listserv. Each of us has developed a comfort zone for our relationships with suppliers as these relationships reflect our stewardship of institutional monies. Some of us draw the line of accepting suppliers’ gifts at a certain dollar level – often set by policy or state law. Others of us don’t accept suppliers’ promotional items, like company names or logos on our desks, so as not to appear partial or biased. And still others of us don’t accept anything from suppliers. But sometimes the best-laid plans can go awry. Not long ago, a Midwest supplier, having had a good year, decided to send its best customers year-end holiday “thank-you” messages, along with summer-sausage gift baskets of a well-known brand. The supplier identified its top 300 or so customers, put the shipping list together, and placed the order for timely holiday delivery. A very, very ethical Midwest Purchasing agent had made a name for himself on campus as one of those folks who accepted nothing from suppliers. His desk and office were pristine; there was absolutely no hint of favoritism or partiality. He did not “do lunch.” He didn’t participate in suppliersponsored outings. He didn’t put his name in drawings at trade shows. So, imagine Mr. Perfect Agent’s surprise, and perhaps discomfort, when a uniformed delivery fellow showed up in his office asking for his signature for a package boldly labeled “A Gift for You” from Hackberry Acres (the name was changed to protect our editors and publishers – a little humor)! Well, Mr. Perfect Agent politely asked the deliverer to return the gift to the sender. But the delivery guy politely responded that that would not be possible; he had unloaded the gift, and any return arrangements would need to be made separately. Ho! Ho! Ho! Mr. Perfect Agent was not happy with that. He questioned why one small box would be such a big deal. The big deal was that ALL 300 packages had been shipped to Mr. P.A.’s office. Eventually, it was all straightened out, but to this day, those that know Mr. Perfect Agent and that episode swear that he is now called Mr. Perfect “S” Agent… the “S” standing for “Sausage.” Folklore says there may even have been a sausage sign posted over his door for a long time. “Each of us has developed a comfort zone for our relationships with suppliers as these relationships reflect our stewardship of institutional monies.” Victoria (Tory) R. Windley recently retired as the Director of Procurement Services at the University of Delaware. She was a regular contributor to NAEP’s Journal and Purchasing Link, was past faculty for NAEP’s Procurement Academy, and past District II Board representative. Tory also served on the Board of E&I Cooperative. e-Mail: Tory@udel.edu 20 EDUCATIONAL PROCUREMENT JOURNAL www.naepnet.org | March 2008 http://www.naepnet.org
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