In the ethics process of a professional society, who determines the punishment if a panel finds an ethics violation?

• A. The Society Board of Governors
• B. The accused member
• C. The Ethics Director
• D. The membership committee

Answer: (A)

The punishment is determined by the Society Board of Governors. In typical professional society ethics processes, a panel investigates and makes findings about the violation, and then the governing board applies the appropriate sanctions. This separation ensures the panel focuses on factual findings while the board uses policy, bylaws, and due process considerations to decide the final discipline, including any penalties or sanctions. The Ethics Director usually handles investigation logistics and recommendations but doesn’t unilaterally impose penalties, and the membership committee deals with membership matters rather than disciplinary actions.