LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy
The LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy was first organized by FAU in 2009 to research ethics and provide training for local government agencies. The Academy is located on FAU’s Main Campus in Boca Raton, and with this central location, can offer its services to the University’s entire service area. The University-based nature of the Academy allows for the rapid incorporation and dissemination of the latest scholarly research on ethics issues by noted faculty for the Academy’s training programs.
The Academy’s objectives are to:
- increase understanding of local government and how it functions
- promote high ethical standards in public service
- provide an informational base for more informed policy making
- develop the capacity of local officials to govern effectively
Our training programs offer instruction and discussion focusing on seven major areas:
The ethical organization: How to identify, create, and sustain it so that all relationships and transactions reflect a commitment to the highest standards and the Five Principles of Public-Service Ethics
Compliance: What you need to know and teach about government ethics laws and their interpretation and enforcement
Beyond compliance: Perceiving, avoiding, and dealing with costly and damaging accusations of legal or ethical wrongdoing including appearances of impropriety
Working with elected officials: How to deal with and stay above partisan politics and work effectively with elected officials while safeguarding your rights and prerogatives in the implementation of public policy
Conflicts of interests: Assuring that all employees know how to perceive and avoid conflicts of interest
Evaluating character and ethics in hiring and promoting employees: Issues of screening, training, and discipline to enforce high ethical standards
Improving decision-making: Strategies and models to help employees make decisions that are ethical and effective
The Palm Beach County Ethics Partnership
(L-R) Mark Bannon, Esq., Executive Director, PBC Commission on Ethics; Peter Cruise, Director of the LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy at FAU; John Carey, PBC Inspector General; Bill Bone, Esq., Ethics Coalition of PBC Board Member
LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy – Fellows
November 13, 2018
At the 12th Annual Ethics Seminar, the LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy named three new Fellows: (L-R) Frank Schnidman, J.D., LL.M.; Susan M. Coughanour, FAICP; and Frank S. Palen, Esq., AICP; pictured with Peter Cruise, Academy Director; and Merrett R. Stierheim, Academy Advisory Board Chairman.
LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy – Dedication Reception
August 22, 2018
In the News
- Palm Beach Business: Professor and Ethics Commissioner Addresses “Ethics Under the Palms” – March 23, 2019
- The Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County presents the 6th Annual Mayor’s Ball – January 23, 2019
- 12th Annual Ethics Seminar – “Using Power Ethically” – November 19, 2018
- FAU Receives Endowment to Name LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy – August 23, 2018
- Peter Cruise, Academy Director, Appears on NBC Nightly News – July 12, 2018
- Public Ethics Academy Receives $500,000 Endowment – June 18, 2018
- Public Ethics Academy Honored By Palm Beach County – March 19, 2018
- FAU Re-Launches Public Ethics Academy – October 10, 2017
Resources
For more information regarding our services, please contact the LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy office:
Peter L. Cruise, Ph.D., Executive Director
Hugh Miller, Ph.D., Faculty Advisor
FAU School of Public Administration
777 Glades Road, SO 202
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Telephone: (561) 297-4049
FAX: (561) 297-4178
E-mail: ethics@fau.edu