Honor Council Rice University  
 

Abstract of the Honor Council
Case #39, Spring, 2002
September 26, 2002

Members Present:
Anna Ahrens, Kevin Arceneaux, Amy Askin, Ryan Bergauer, Teresa Fu (non-binding vote), Landon Jennings, Jason Longoria, Marie Ng, Elspeth Simpson, Joan Shreffler (presiding)

Ombuds:
Travis Youngblood

Letter of Accusation:
The Honor Council received a formal letter of accusation from a professor of a lower level science course accusing Students A and B of cheating on a pledged assignment.

Evidence Submitted:

Plea:
Students A and B plead Not In Violation

Testimony:
Both Students A and B testified that the similarities in their assignments highlighted by the professor occurred by chance. As evidence of this claim, the students pointed out a number of similarities that existed between their assignments and the assignments randomly selected from the class. Both students also noted that there were many differences in their assignments that argued against collusion.

Deliberation:
After comparing Student A and B's assignment with one another and the randomly selected assignments, most Honor Council members felt that the similarities highlighted by the professor could have occurred by chance. Some members felt that a violation may have occurred but there just was not enough conclusive evidence. One member felt otherwise, noting that one similarity in particular could not have occurred were it not for cheating. A unanimous decision is required to find students in violation of the Honor Code.

Straw Poll #2
No Violation occurred: 8 (+1 non-binding vote)
Violation occurred: 1
Abstentions: 0

Straw poll #2 was made binding.

Thus, the Honor Council finds Students A and B Not In Violation of the Honor Code.

Time of Trial and Deliberation: 1 hours, 55 minutes

Respectfully Submitted,

Kevin Arceneaux Clerk

Last modified Tuesday, October 20, 2002 01:00 AM
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