Trusteeship - May/June 2020 - 8

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NEWS IN BRIEF

New Statement of Ethical
Principles Guiding the Use
of Data in Higher Education
THE ASSOCIATION for Institutional Research
(AIR) published the AIR Statement of Ethical
Principles on January 21, 2020. This statement
is, "an expression of integrity, professionalism,
and fairness intended to guide the use of data
in decision-making within higher education,"
according to AIR.
This statement serves as a way for higher
education's professional community to view
the use of data in the field. Michelle Appel, the
AIR president when these new principles were
approved, explains the importance of this work:
"I am so proud that the board took on this task,
and of the collaboration that created these new

Flags at the entrance to the Brigham Young University-Hawaii campus located on the
island of Oahu in Hawaii.

principles, which will serve as a compass for our
actions as we work to bolster student success
and support higher education."
The report is important because it guides
professionals in the field through the

Brigham Young University
Walks Back LGBTQ Freedoms

challenges of working with data in higher

ON FEBRUARY 19, 2020 , Brigham Young University altered

education. It informs ethical principles as well

their honor code to get rid of the passage that prohibited

as expectations that are carried with the use of

"homosexual behavior." The removal of this language meant
that students would not be punished for any same-sex romantic

data in the field. To help further present these
principles, AIR created "hypothetical scenarios
from the data community that feature examples
of how the ethical principles can be applied." To
read these scenarios, go to
www.airweb.org/ethics.

relationships or actions. "Two weeks later, on March 4, BYU released another
statement saying that there had been some misinterpretation to its alteration in
the honor code. The statement was written by Elder Paul V. Johnson, Commissioner
of the Church Educational System. He wrote that "same-sex romantic behavior
cannot lead to eternal marriage and is therefore not compatible with the principles
included in the honor code."
Many students reported being told by university staff members that they would
be able to have open same-sex relationships without facing discipline. Now, some
of these same staff members are telling them that this behavior is not allowed,
according to students.
Many students and alumni expressed anger at this, some organizing a protest
at BYU, as reported by a March 4 article in the Salt Lake Tribune. Many students
came out when the announcement that they were getting rid of the ban in the
honor code was made. Now these same students are afraid of facing consequences
for these actions.
"We felt like we finally had a place and then they ripped it away again," said
junior Katie Guerrero, who is bisexual, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune.

8 TRUSTEESHIP  MAY. JUN. 2020

ISTOCK/ GREGOBAGEL; SHUTTERSTOCK/ ROLAND MAGNUSSON
http://www.airweb.org/ethics
Trusteeship - May/June 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Trusteeship - May/June 2020
