I’ve been to Vegas before and I’ll admit, I hadn’t thought about my ethics as a student affairs professional until going there for a professional conference. Personal time with friends at my bachelor party (not quite The Hangover but admittedly there were similarities) and a friend’s wedding were reasons I spent several days in Vegas in 2005 and 2006. While I know I can’t completely disconnect my personal and professional ethics, these were times for me and not my work. I certainly wasn’t thinking of the ethical principles of student affairs work during either visit.

Many people see me as someone who asks colleagues to make good decisions at conferences: I believe that it’s your responsibility to represent your institution well and to use their resources well. It’s not a vacation. You’re working.

I had a few folks talk to me about their challenge with a convention in Vegas, particularly because student affairs professionals must be good role models for students. You might read that as student affairs professionals should not have fun, but I read it as we make decisions to act in ways that reveal our values and permits students to see our authentic selves. At the least when WE act in ways that counter what students perceive to be our expectations of behavior for THEM we might be seen as hypocritical.

I think I have fun and sometimes that involves consuming alcohol. I’m honest with students about decisions I make. I can justify those decisions and feel ok with them – a basic part of handling ethical decisions. So how did that play out in Vegas?

Upon reflection, I think it is great that we had our convention in Vegas. It is the perfect place to examine your ethics. It’s a great test for us as professionals. So, let’s consider some actions I took that may present ethical considerations for me while representing my university and myself.

Did I partake in drinking alcohol? Yes. I had two to four drinks a night each time spread out over at least three hour spans. Typically wine or beer, except for those two straight bourbons while playing blackjack.

Did I visit any establishments in which people remove their clothes or are scantily dressed? No unless you count Cirque de Soleil.

Is playing 90 minutes of blackjack a problem? Possibly. I played from 5:30-7 before the IU reception. I could have been at a meeting or session.

I went to sleep between 11-12 each night. Slept no later than 6:30 each morning. I could have stayed up later, but I had stuff to do the next day or had just done enough that day – I’m not old but 41 year old Dan can’t rally the way he used to. Bedtime wasn’t set for me. I chose to go when I needed. If I had been up later I hope I still would have gotten up as early and went to as many sessions as possible.

Did I skip sessions? See above. Between three presentations, meetings, and attending others’ sessions I participated in about eight hours of structured professional development each day. Spent many more hours talking to colleagues about important student affairs topics and lots of conversations on other interests I’d say we’re good for me professionally because they were good for me personally. Spending time with your best student affairs friends is just good!

There are other considerations that may be ethical dilemmas.

Did I go to a state in which issues of social injustice exist (see views on AFA or NASPA in Phoenix during 2010 and 2012). Yes. Prostitution is legal. Women are objectified for money. Guess as we throw around social justice, inclusion, intercultural competence as a value we better be prepared to address all issues not just the ones popular right now. Then again, if we only had student affairs conferences in states with no laws that undermine our associations’ values we’d likely just end up in Vermont or Iowa. Neither of which are places people want to go for conferences!

I’m happily partnered. I don’t hook up. I’m safe there.

Are these considerations that everyone should examine? I don’t know. I do. I firmly believe that these are my considerations and I don’t tell you that they should be yours. I do know that student affairs professionals struggle with all of these issues.

The only judgment I make is that I believe people should use their institution’s resources appropriately and go to sessions, not use it as vacation. After that though, I don’t judge. Drink all you want. See whichever sex naked as much as you want. Gamble away. Ultimately, you will need to reconcile to what extent these are or are not compromises to your ethics, those of your institution and those of the profession. At some point we will have to defend our actions to colleagues – just be ready to defend your decisions.