Russell,
I do not believe any "position papers" were officially presented before 
the new Code was enacted. I am a member of the SAA Committee on Ethics 
and Professional Conduct (CEPC), which drafted the new Code. Karen 
Benedict, author of the SAA ethics manual (which actually has the old 
Code but excellent background and case studies) was chair of the Committee.

SAA Council asked the committee to draft the new code and requested that 
it be less prescriptive. The Committee shared a variety of codes of 
other professional associations and other readings in preparation for 
our discussions, which took place over an extended period of time in 
2003-2004. We realized that much of what was in the 1992 code really 
fell under the category of either professional conduct or institutional 
best practices - and not truly ethical principles. That accounts in 
large measure for the shape of the current code. The Committee is now 
working on the professional conduct elements.

In producing the Code, CEPC followed SAA's procedure for developing 
standards. We presented drafts for Council comment, and then published 
the draft in Archival Outlook, inviting feedback. We then held an open 
forum on the Code at the SAA Annual Meeting in Boston, providing 
subsequent time for additional membership feedback and revisions. 
Council officially approved the Code of Ethics in February 2005. Members 
of the Committee would have their files from that meetings (which we 
should get into the SAA Archives!), including notes taken at the Boston 
forum. But none of that constitutes the kind of position papers I think 
you are seeking.

I hope this is helpful.

Susan E. Davis


Russell D. James wrote:
>
> I am doing a report for a class on the SAA code of ethics. I’m 
> supposed to find opinions garnered from this and position papers. I 
> know that SAA has a new code of ethics and there may be no opinions on 
> the separate provisions, as yet. But I was wondering if anyone had 
> access to position papers presented before the new code was enacted, 
> ones written for the new code? Without such materials, alas, I may 
> have to write the paper on another code. Any help is appreciated.
>
> **Russell D. James,M.A**.
>
> MLIS student
>
> Louisiana State University
>
> Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA
>
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