For immediate release:
Friday, Oct. 2, 2009

Business Ethics class steps outside of the classroom

Dr. Roger A. Ritvo’s Business Ethics class recently presented Josh Rider of Dylan Rings, a custom jewelry business, with a mission statement and code of ethics as their class project.

“The goal of this project was to make the issue of business ethics real,” said Ritvo, professor of Management. “This is the second time I’ve done it. Both times it has given the students a clearly defined process to apply what the students are learning in the classroom.”

Ritvo said this project is part of the student’s course grade and it is a required assignment. He divides the class into teams representing areas such as production, ethical issues and competition in Montgomery.

“Part of the issue is figuring out what goes into a code of ethics and what doesn’t,” said Ritvo. “You could write a 180-page code of ethics.”

Rider was very active in the process as well. He initially came to Ritvo’s class to give a short explanation of his company, and then students asked him questions regarding his career and ethical issues he’s experienced.

“The students showed a lot of interest in blood diamonds/conflict diamonds in Africa,” said Ritvo. “There’s a big international agreement to stop these. The students got into all of these issues with him in class, which sparked their interest.”

The class’s final presentation, after months of hard work, included a presentation of their work, the mission statement for Dylan Rings, motto and code of ethics.

“It was a unique project because we were able to get input from a local business owner and see how he felt about the project,” said David Sims, senior Finance major. “He seemed very enthusiastic about the project, and I think he was very pleased about the outcome. He showed a lot of enthusiasm when he received his framed mission statement and code ethics.”

“I thought this was an awful lot of fun,” said Rider. “Students from this class have worked all semester on this project.”

Dr. Roger Ritvo, left, and Colleen Brown
a Business Ethics student, right, present
a code of ethics and mission statement to
Josh Rider of Dylan Rings.

Code of Ethics and Mission
Statement presented to
Dylan Rings

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Photographs by Carolyn Kinney

Contact Information
Carolyn Kinney
Auburn Montgomery
University Relations
334-244-3642
ckinney@aum.edu