A Challenge to Core Values
A review of the core values that serve as the foundation of our codes of ethics, values such as autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice
Whereas students historically sought out his service and support and parents spoke highly of his effectiveness and real care for the students, it was clear by student complaints about his lack of availability and tendency to be sarcastic when interacting with them that something was changing. Even faculty began to report on the apparent changes in his demeanor and professional behavior, noting that something was negatively impacting his ability to function in his role as crisis intervention counselor.
Faculty reported experiencing his increased venting and complain- ing about the students he was seeing. They noted that he often referred to the students and their life conditions as hopeless and that he, as one person, was impotent in “rescuing” them from the “hands they were dealt.” While concerned about the apparent heavy heart he exhibited when speaking of some of the students, the faculty were equally con- cerned by what appeared to be his angry, dismissive, and devaluing attitude toward other students. Faculty reported hearing him use inap- propriate terms, such as referring to some students as “diagnosable” or others as falling into the category of “P.I.T.A.” (pains in the ass). The dismissiveness and depersonalization was even experienced by teach- ers seeking consultation who were told to “do their own damn jobs.”
