(February 23, 2009 – Indianapolis) The Networks Professional Development Program at Indiana State University (ISU) will convene humanitarian, industry and academic leadership to address some of the most timely ethical issues confronting corporate America, during the Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Conference on Monday, March 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Topics ranging from environmental sustainability to corporate whistle-blowing; banned substance use among athletes to the integrity of the mortgage servicing industry; will be discussed. Howard Learner, President and Executive Director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, will open the conference with insight into how the Obama Administration’s environmental policies may impact green initiatives in the United States and abroad. James Morris, President, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Inc. and former Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme, will discuss the Indiana Pacers’ approach to implementing ethical play and conduct standards during a keynote luncheon address.  Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita will conclude the day’s program.

In addition to general and keynote presentations, attendees may choose from 21 break-out sessions focusing on a range of ethical dilemmas including accounting, human resources, environmental, small business, college athletics, corporate privacy, insurance solvency, financial services marketing and technology piracy issues.

“We live in an era where corporate and personal ethics are constantly under scrutiny. Within the last quarter, the ethics of leading Wall Street investment managers, the Illinois governor and professional athletes have all come under attack,” noted Kathleen Parish, Career Development Specialist at Indiana State University. Parish noted that the program is unique in that it is planned and implemented by students. “The Arthur Anderson, Enron and WorldComm debacles at the turn of the millennium were an early indicator that ethics would play an increasing role in the successes and failures of American business. The ISU Networks Scholars program aims to acquaint students with various dilemmas they are likely to confront during their careers and to provide them with the skills and strategies they will need to make sound decisions,” Parish stated.  

The conference is free and open to students and faculty from all colleges and universities, as well as industry professionals. All sessions will take place at the Hulman Memorial Student Union on the campus of Indiana State University. Registration is available at www.indstate.edu/ethics thru March 20th.

Networks Financial Institute at Indiana State University was founded in 2003 with a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. The non-profit organization strives to facilitate a more effective national and international financial services marketplace through student programs, financial literacy and thought leadership surrounding industry issues. Networks Financial Institute is headquartered in Indianapolis with offices on the campus of Indiana State University in Terre Haute and outreach in Washington, D.C., and internationally.  For more information about Networks Financial Institute, visit www.networksfinancialinstitute.org.

###