Two applicants have applied for one space in an elite graduate program. Candidate X has the best qualifications, but Candidate Y comes from a wealthy family. The university can reasonably expect Candidate Y's family to make generous donations to the university if Y is admitted to this elite graduate program.
a. Is ethical for the university to admit Candidate Y?
b. Would you consider the donations made by Y's family to be a bribe? Would it matter if Y's family explicitly promised to make donations at the time that Y was applying for admission?
c. Would it affect your decision if the expected donations from Y's family will be spent to enable thirty low-income students to be able to attend this elite program?
d. How would a consequentialist view the above decision? How do you think that Aristotle or philosopher Thomas Rawls would view this decision?
e. Do any of your answers depend on whether the university is a state-supported university, a nonprofit institution, or a private, for-profit university?