You are attending a student engineering organization regional conference along with five other students from your institution. The night before the group is scheduled to return to campus, one of the students is arrested for public intoxication and is jailed. Neither he nor the other students have enough cash for bail, and he doesn’t want his parents to know. He asks you to lend him the organization’s emergency cash so that he doesn’t have to spend the night in jail; he’ll repay you as soon as his parents send money. What should you do?

a. Lend him the money since his parents are wealthy and you know he can repay it quickly.

b. Tell him to contact his parents now and ask for help.

c. Give him the money, but ask him to write and sign a confessional note to repay it.

d. Tell him to call a lawyer since it’s not your problem.

Use the Ethical Decision Matrix Table 1.1, which contains the six Fundamental Canons to respond to these ethical situations.

Table 1.1

Go Along with the Call a Appeal to Higher Management Quit Write Your Options NSPE Canons Newspaper Reporter Your State Decision Job Representative Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. Perform services only in the area of your competence. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. Avoid deceptive acts. Conduct yourself honorably.