Shaking hands with ethics

Some people think of Fortune 500 companies as cold and heartless, driven by the bottom line. But a group of Wharton undergraduates is out to change that perception by planning a new secondary concentration in -- believe it or not -- ethics. The concentration, called Corporate Citizenship, is the brainchild of Wharton sophomores David Levin and Adam Zimbler and looks to educate future business leaders as socially responsible citizens. "This is a new role for corporations in democratic societies, rather than only making money for their shareholders," Levin said. The path toward developing the new concentration began at the beginning of this semester, when some students felt that their needs were not being met. "I haven't really been happy with the curriculum they have provided me," said Wharton junior Rob Smith, who is part of the push for the new secondary concentration. "If I had the option of integrating social needs with the business aspect, I would have been happier," Smith said. The creators of the concentration are currently gathering signatures from other students and hope to bring the petition to the undergraduate curriculum committee early next semester. If the committee approves the concentration, the proposal then goes to the entire faculty, which will vote on whether to approve the concentration. According to Wharton Undergraduate Vice Dean and Legal Studies Professor Thomas Dunfee, the earliest the faculty could vote on the measure is next November. The measure has gained the support of at least three Legal Studies professors -- Dunfee, Eric Orts and Peter Dean, as well as additional Wharton faculty. Business ethics "is a very important topic, one that is being given emphasis at our peer institutions," Dunfee said. Harvard University, Dartmouth College and University of California Berkeley already have or are planning such concentrations. Students also hope to create a new center to promote research and teaching of socially responsible business practices. If formed, the concentration would integrate courses from several departments. The group has received a positive feedback from many students and faculty members. "In general, we've gotten a pretty good response, and some people even say that it is long overdue," Levin said. However, the concentration faces several challenges in getting off the ground. "One main objection I see is if faculty will ask themselves whether there are too many concentrations now," Dunfee said. Currently, two other proposed concentrations -- Entrepreneurial Management and Legal Studies -- are undergoing approval as well. "Some people also felt that while this is a good idea, but that shouldn't translate to a new concentration," Levin added. However, even if the new initiative does not gain approval, the students hope that others will start to notice the need for business ethics. "If this doesn't pass, we hope that awareness will be raised that in a few years, there will be a lasting change so that we can be way ahead of where we are right now," Levin said.