Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE)

ASA Bylaws direct that the Committee on Professional Ethics ("COPE") has responsibility for promoting ethical conduct by sociologists at the highest professional level through development and sponsorship of educational activities for ASA members and other sociologists, investigation of complaints concerning the ethical conduct of members of the ASA, and imposition of sanctions when a violation of the ASA Code of Ethics has occurred.COPE also has responsibility for recommending to the Council proposed changes in the Code of Ethics to be submitted to the membership for approval.  Nine members sit on COPE, each serving a three-year term.  The Committee on Committees provides Council with recommended appointees each August.