This case study outlines the ethical decision$-$making process that leaders $($in this case, a professor$)$ must make when faced with dilemmas aligned with following policy. In this case, a student, Kelly, openly plagiarized a brochure from a community agency in order to meet requirements for an assignment. The professor in this case, Professor Ramirez, is left with an ethical dilemma as whether or not to report Kelly for plagiarism, which could have a significant impact on her ability to obtain employment $($which Professor Ramirez has already recommended her for$),$ and to graduate from community college.

Instead of following policy, Professor Ramirez instead decides to have a one$-$on$-$one conversation with Kelly, to determine the extent of her plagiarism. Due to circumstances beyond her control, Kelly has been preoccupied with outside responsibilities in addition to school, and Professor Ramirez has determined that she was able to meet the required hours for community service, noting that it was just the paper itself that was the concern.

Professor Ramirez ultimately decides to go against college policy and not report the plagiarism, noting that the institutional policy for plagiarism was very serious and that Kelly deserved a second chance, which was consistent with Professor Ramirez$$s values. Ultimately, she assigned Kelly a value of a $0$ for the assignment, which allowed her to pass the course with a $$B$$ grade. Even though Professor Ramirez deviated from the college$$s policy regarding plagiarism, do you feel she acted ethically?

If you were a student in this class and learned Professor Ramirez made an exception for this student, would you think she acted ethically? Explain.

In Table $11\mathrm{.}1$ the Six Pillars of Character are detailed. Which of these six pillars did Professor Ramirez display in consideration for her student, and how?

Professor Ramirez$$s action ultimately brought into question whether or not the ends justify the means. Do you feel that her leniency in this case made her a stronger or more ethical leader? Explain.