Coach Foyer Case Summary

Coach Foyer is aware of the importance of the University of Miami’s Football team winning the championship. It is clear that there is a lot at stake if this team loses, especially after working so hard throughout the entire season. The University is granted new uniforms, equipment as well as a $100,000 prize if they win. When the semester ends and final grades are posted to a “Staff Only” website using computer technology that only teachers will be able to view and alter the site accordingly. This presents a possible opportunity window for Coach Foyer when on his way to his regular lunch with his friend who is also the dean of the college of sciences. As Coach Foyer enters Joseph Waldorf's office, and saw no one was there, he notices the website
The first approach would be the Utilitarian approach. This approach asks, “will this produce the best outcomes for everyone who is affected?” in other words, the ends justify the means (Santa Clara University, 2014). Professor Burstein in this case, would leave things alone because he knows that by reporting David, a lot of trouble would be caused to not only David but the whole team. He knows that he would cause more harm than good to those affected. The utilitarian approach also states that everyone’s well-being be taken into account when considering the consequences (Strike, 2009). Using this approach allows the consequences and outcomes determine what is right and what is wrong. The second approach would be the Rights approach. This approach would ask, “are we respecting human rights?” (Santa Clara University, 2014). The first step in this approach would be to identify the right being violated. Another question to ask would be, “does it conflict with other rights or with the rights of others?” (Santa Clara University, 2014). In this case, it would be wrong for Professor Burnstein to automatically assume and punish David for supposedly changing his own grade without proof. The third approach would be the Fairness approach. This approach asks, “is this a fair distribution of benefits and burdens?” (Santa Clara University, 2014). It states that everyone is equal and deserves an equal share since we are all worth the same. In this case, Professor Burnstein would change David’s grade back to his original grade and most likely report him. He would do this because he knows it’s not fair for David or his classmates to not get the grade he deserved even if he is the star football player. Everyone is responsible for their own efforts put into their tests and there should be no exceptions in order to be fair to the class. The fourth approach is the common good approach. The question to be