BELIEF: Ethics Program

Learn how to identify and respond to ethical problems with the Building Ethical Leaders Using an Integrated Ethics Framework (BELIEF) Program. The College of Business launched BELIEF in 2006 and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business has called it a model program.

All College of Business courses include an ethics element and you’ll learn the BELIEF Decision Making Framework in core courses. While every ethical dilemma is unique, you can evaluate each situation with the BELIEF handbook (PDF) or wallet-sized decision card. Both outline a multi-step decision-making process and suggest a dozen different "tests" you can use to evaluate the ethics of various options.

BELIEF Mission

Our mission is to build ethical leaders through the integration of program development, faculty support, business community involvement and learner engagement. Fulfilling this mission equips students with a lasting set of practical tools to apply ethical values in business practices.

The Three Pillars of BELIEF

The BELIEF program is supported equally by three constituencies:

Faculty for Ethics (FFE)

FFE is comprised of representatives from every department at the College of Business. They meet monthly throughout the school year with the BELIEF director to chart the course of ethics education at the college.

Corporate Partners and Advisory Board

Corporate partners from the Chicago area and elsewhere provide their personal time, talent and treasure to sponsor the BELIEF program. For example, corporate partners serve as judges in the NIU High School Ethics Case Competition, share their business and personal expertise and provide funding opportunities for special events and activities. The sponsorship commitment lasts three years with the possibility of renewal. Each corporate partner designates an individual to be the organizational liaison to the BELIEF director and serve on the BELIEF Corporate Advisory Board.

Leaders in Ethics and Academic Discipline (LEAD)

LEAD is the student group that supports BELIEF. LEAD students meet weekly with the BELIEF director throughout the school year. LEAD procures speakers for Huskie Ethics Awareness Talks (HEAT) several times each semester. They also organize and run the NIU High School Ethics Case Competition and participate in intercollegiate ethics case competitions, including the Eller competition at the University of Arizona and the Templeton competition at Stetson University.

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Donate to Support BELIEF

Help support the BELIEF Ethics Program as it continues to develop ethical leaders for tomorrow.

Contact Us

NIU College of Business
Barsema Hall
740 Garden Road
DeKalb, IL 60115

Neil Doughty, Director, BELIEF
815-753-7807
ndoughty1@niu.edu

NIU College of Business AACSB Accredited

Higher Education in Diversity Award - 2021 Top Colleges for Diversity

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