Does anyone out there know when the old Code of Ethics was first adopted either by a state or, preferably, the national association (ACSM?)? The older form (which is still referenced in many state codes and adopted by a number of state associations) outlined the duties of the surveyor with regard to the public, their client and other professionals. The oldest copy I have of the Code of Ethics says it was revised in 1990 (the current one was revised in 2008).
The 1990 document lists 9 "codes" with number 2 reading, "Exchanges information freely with other professional land surveyors and other related professions, encourages the public knowledge of surveying, and insures proper credit for surveying work done."
Trying to put together a bit of history on the Code of Ethics. Any help is appreciated.
JBS
JBStahl, post: 360164, member: 427 wrote: Does anyone out there know when the old Code of Ethics was first adopted either by a state or, preferably, the national association (ACSM?)? The older form (which is still referenced in many state codes and adopted by a number of state associations) outlined the duties of the surveyor with regard to the public, their client and other professionals. The oldest copy I have of the Code of Ethics says it was revised in 1990 (the current one was revised in 2008).
The 1990 document lists 9 "codes" with number 2 reading, "Exchanges information freely with other professional land surveyors and other related professions, encourages the public knowledge of surveying, and insures proper credit for surveying work done."
Trying to put together a bit of history on the Code of Ethics. Any help is appreciated.
JBS
New York State Association of Professional Land Surveyors (NYSAPLS) adopted one in 1966: http://www.nysapls.org/?Canons
Hi John, I had misplaced my old MALSCE folder that had our original code of ethics from 1958. The Association used to give this wonderful loose leaf folder to new applicants. It was a great study aid for the exam, 34 years ago.
Anyway, here is the MALSCE 1958 Code.
Thanks, All! This has been very helpful. Sure wish I could find the original UCLS Code of Ethics. I've got two later renditions from 1990 and 2008. I have yet to see one of the numerous versions out there that has the statement that I mentioned in the original post about the exchange of information with other surveyors. Does anyone have a similar rendition which includes that statement? Or, is it peculiar to Utah only?
John,
Our society's bylaws require that the organization publish a roster and include in it, the Code of Ethics among other thing. I don't know about Utah, but maybe finding an old Roster might help. (?)
I just talked to Curt Sumner; he said that prior to 1987, when he became involved in ACSM; the government sued ACSM and they changed it to Cannons and Creeds. He said that they have some archived information, on what they had to begin with and he will look it up when he gets back to his office.
Ain't the Internet great!
Dougie
Curt Sumner sent me this in an email:
Below is some background information I found in the publications, ÛÏNSPS, the First 28 YearsÛ and the ÛÏACSM BulletinÛ.
An excerpt from NSPS, the First 28 Years states, ÛÏby 1959 PSD (Property Surveys Division of ACSM) had adopted a Code of Ethics for Professional Practitioners. The Division also prepared a policy proposal (1961) against competitive biddingÛ?Û?Û.
In an article in the June 1991 edition of the ACSM Bulletin, then President Gunther Greulich stated, ÛÏfor the past two years, FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has been investigating the ACSM Code of Ethics. The FTC is concerned that parts of the code might restrict competition for surveying services. According to FTC such statements in our code as ÛÏfair and just compensationÛ, ÛÏan adequate feeÛ, or ÛÏequitable feeÛ may appear to restrain practitioners from ÛÏdiscounting pricesÛ. At the Baltimore meeting in March the ACSM and NSPS Boards reviewed the FTC investigation with our counsel James Anderson, and decided to rescind the code, even though FTC has not formally found it to be illegal, and to draft a new code that is consistent with current law. In a letter date May 10, FTC informed ACSM that the investigation has been closed, but that FTC reserves the right to take further actionÛ.
It is this situation which led to the development of the SurveyorÛªs Creed and CanonsÛ document which is the one that appears on the NSPS website.
Attached is a file to which is attached the ACSM Code of Ethics with dates: Adopted, 1979; revised 1983. Neither of these documents has an item which reads as the one John quotes below, i.e., The 1990 document lists 9 "codes" with number 2 reading, "Exchanges information freely with other professional land surveyors and other related professions, encourages the public knowledge of surveying, and insures proper credit for surveying work done."
I hope this information is of some assistance.
1986 American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, Surveying and Mapping, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 219-224. Ethics, Law and the Professional by Robert W. Foster.
The paper cites eight references which includes:
ASCE, ASCE Code of Ethics Amended, Civil Engineering, ASCE, New York, Nov. 1976
Referenced R. W. Foster article republished in Legal Topics in Boundary Surveying , A Compendium, editor Wendy Lathrop, 1990, ISBN 0-9613459-7-7
Although not specifically the Canons it provides dated perspectives and references.
See also, Ethics for the Professional Surveyor, A Collection, by Dennis J. Mouland, 1996, ISBN 0-910845-57-3
DWoolley
