Ethics team uses logic to diffuse issues

An infant is critically in need of medical attention, but his parents cannot afford the expensive procedures. Without the immediate hand of a doctor, however, the child will not live to see the next day.

Do the doctors continue with the operation and save the child’s life, or do they let the baby die because of the lack of funds?

This is the question four UMHB business students faced during the Nov. 2 Ethics Match 2007 in Fort Worth.

The participating students, Thomas Umstaddt Jr, Eric Bonstead, Jessica Snow and Lenna Carder, used their classroom knowledge during the quick-thinking match against 18 other Texas schools.

Dr. Marty McMahone, professor of leadership and ethics, is the team sponsor.

He said, “I am very happy with the team this year. I had no doubt (they) would do well.”

 The team’s record was 4-1, making them third overall and second in their division.

An ethics match is a competition that requires high-speed thinking with an eloquent presentation of the decision.

Senior management major Umstattd said, “Good speaking skills, logic and rhetoric are important. We also need to offer a good analysis and rebuttal.”

Team members prepared themselves for the match in a variety of ways.

Senior accounting major Snow said, “I've just reminded myself that we already have our ethics and simply need to give a good, logical explanation of how and why a certain action is the most appropriate in a given situation.”

Students are put into a small room containing three tables, two teams of four people and a panel of three judges with a moderator.

Within minutes the competitors must listen to an ethical dilemma, reach consensus among themselves and effectively deliver the chosen response.

Senior management major Eric Bon- stead felt tense at first. “It was very formal, which was good. They did a good job getting high caliber judges, but the time constraint made it difficult to cover all the bases.”

Each member carried the added pressure last year’s team placed first in the rigorous competition. 

Because of the complexity of the issues, the team said it’s a challenge to gain a full perspective.

Snow said, “Some of the (issues) are black and white, and some have more gray areas and are more difficult to truly identify what would be the most ethical decision to make.”

Judges and participants can have conflicting opinions concerning ethical matters.

“The judges may or may not agree with our position,” Snow said. “So we have to go into this match with the attitude that we will give the answer that we believe is ethical and leave the rest to them.”

However, the team does not reach a conclusion without running into obstacles.

“Many people can look at the same decision and still overlook vital details,” Umstattd said.

The diverse opinions resulted in success.

“With each major being different, we were able to apply our own areas of strength during the match,” Umstattd said.

“Good chemistry made our team different. Being a part of something where everyone is pulling toward the same direction makes the difference.”

Bonstead said, “I am pleased. I believe we had a good strong team that worked well together.”

The knowledge will carry into the future roles the students will play in the business world.

“I learned to carefully look at all areas surrounding an issue,” Bonstead said, “to really dissect an entire issue to not only look at how it affects me, but to take into account all stakeholders involved.”

Carder looks forward to the experiences she will encounter when facing ethical dilemmas in the future.

“When I go into a job I will know exactly what I personally view as good and bad, and I won’t have to hesitate when it’s time to make a decision,” she said.

Next year’s ethics team has already been decided, and the current group has some suggestions for the 2008 competition. Prepare earlier, have more meetings and use your time wisely.