School of Business students compete in ethical debates

NEW PALTZ – Eight teams of students from the State University of New York at New Paltz participated in this semester’s School of Business debate competition. Students debated timely ethical topics including using biometric technology in private workplaces and allowing hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale area. The championship debate was on building a mosque near Ground Zero in NYC.

The debates were judged by local business leaders and faculty members. Tom Sipos, Chair of the Business Advisory Council, has moderated the student debates for the past four years. He points out the benefits for students. “Debate participation allows students to practice their analytical, critical thinking and presentation skills while learning to see issues from different perspectives. When experienced business leaders judge and critique the debate teams they effectively prepare students for the environment they will operate in upon graduation.

The debate teams were well prepared and presented their arguments in an articulate and professional manner. Hassan Malik ’14, Kathryn McCann ’14, Russell Murphy ’11 and Sung Jae Ro ’14 made their way successfully through three rounds of debates and won the championship. Yanna Guo ’11, Lakenya Moore ’10, Joaquin Ortega ’12 and Steven Pomoryn ’11 were runners up. Students on both teams received scholarships sponsored by the Campus Auxiliary Services, Inc. and the School of Business.

Moore participated in the debates three times while at New Paltz. “No price can be placed on this experience. The debates allowed me take part in the practical application of my education. The debates represented a significant opportunity for growth, taught me the true meaning of teamwork, and have helped me to further skills that I can apply both in and out of the workplace.”