Honor Council Rice University  
 

Abstract of the Honor Council
Case #26. Spring, 2002
April 24, 2002

Members Present:
Kevin Arceneaux, Joshua Barron, Ryan Bergauer, Laura Derr, Aaron Martz, Andrea Melton, Kathleen Milazzo, Geneva Rhee, Jason Longoria (presiding).

Ombuds:
Robert Emmett.

Letter of Accusation:
The Honor Council received a letter of accusation from a professor of a lower-level humanities class that accused a student of plagiarism on a writing assignment.

Evidence Submitted:

Plea:
The accused plead In Violation.

Testimony:
The accused admitted to violating the Honor Code and accepted responsibility for her actions. She asked that the council be lenient as the assignment was a very small portion of the class.

Deliberation:
The Council agreed that the student did commit a violation.

Straw Poll #1: Did Student A Commit a Violation?
In Violation: 9
Not in Violation: 0
Abstentions: 0

Since the assignment was worth less than 10% of the final grade, the consensus penalty was an F in the course. Mitigating circumstances were discussed, and the only one deemed to possibly apply was cooperation. However, the council decided that the violation was so blatant that the accused had no choice but to cooperate, and so cooperation did not apply.

Straw Poll #2: Penalty for Student A
F in the course: 9
Loss of Credit for the Course: 0
Loss of Credit on the Assignment: 0
2-letter grade reduction in Student A's final grade: 0
Abstentions: 0

Straw polls #1 and #2 were made binding.

Thus, the Honor Council finds Student A In Violation of the Honor Code and recommends that she be given an F in the course. Additionally, a suspension clause will be attached to her record.

Time of Trial and Deliberation: 18 minutes

Respectfully Submitted,

Joshua Barron,
Trial Clerk

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