The Ethics Across Campus Program at the Colorado School of Mines

Abstract

By taking the Ethics Across Campus Program (EAC) at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) as an example, this paper discusses how institutional, social, and policy contexts provide opportunities—and challenges—for ethics centers and programs to create effective moral learning experiences for students. This paper begins by depicting the historical background and institutional context within which this EAC program was founded and has evolved. It then introduces the major campus programs and curricular initiatives (e.g., the Daniels Fund Faculty Fellows Program) that aim to enhance students’ learning opportunities. Finally, this paper reflects on some major challenges faced by the program, including how to bridge physical and intellectual distances between faculty, and how to best cultivate an ethical climate for STEM education and research.