When Funding Runs Low

The following conversation occurs between grad students F and P, who are roommates in an off-campus apartment, but who are in different research groups within Great Engineering Lab.

F: Well, the lab is really pushing on the rules and procedures these days. Today at the lab meeting, there was more talk about being sure to use the On-Line Log for all machine use. You should have been there. Some of the students complained about the hassle factor and the slow response, but the lab manager made the usual comments about how it was essential to provide accurate lab charges, they were fixing the system to make it faster, and everybody had to use it, period.

P: My attitude is to finesse the whole thing.

F: What do you mean?

P: Well, my project just lost its funding, and my supervisor is really worried about whether there will be enough funds left in the kitty to complete my thesis. I figure if I punt on the On-Line Log from time to time I can save my project enough money so that when I really NEED to make runs, we'll have the money to pay for them.

What does/should F do now?

More generally, what should the lab as a whole do if it discovers that P is mischarging?

Cite this page: "When Funding Runs Low" Online Ethics Center for Engineering 9/9/2006 National Academy of Engineering Accessed: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 <www.onlineethics.org/Resources/Cases/funding.aspx>