Professor Andy Accrual works for a big state university. The state has negotiated a set of special airfares with various airlines for state employees to use when travelling on state business. These fares are lower, and they do not have restrictions on changing, cancellation, etc. Andy is aware that the airlines never check to see if he is on state business when he books such a fare. He has decided that he would like to go to Hawaii on short notice for a well-earned vacation. When he checks the web for airfares he discovers the cheapest fare he can find is for $700 per person. However, the fare for state employees travelling on business to Hawaii is only $400.

In your opinion, would it be ethical for Andy to use the special state employee airfare for his vacation? Why?

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Your response must exhibit thoughtful consideration of the ethical issues at stake.

For instance, the student might identify the desired outcome for the taxpayer or group of taxpayers featured in the question and discuss how this outcome is potentially in conflict with the broader goals of the government and/or an ethical society.

Alternatively, a student might contrast a known right way of handling the situation described in each question with issues of a more practical nature, such as a low perceived likelihood of being caught and/or undergoing an IRS audit.

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