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Abstract of the Honor Council
Case #45, Spring, 2002
November 19, 2002
Members Present:
Candice Hance (presiding), Anna Ahrens, Kevin Arceneaux, Chris Conrad, Laura Fitzmorris, Landon Jennings, Jason Longoria, Ravi Patel, Geneva Rhee.
Ombuds:
Kate Gurba
Letter of Accusation:
The Honor Council received a formal letter of accusation from a professor of a lower level science course that accused Students A an B of collaborating on the final exam.
Evidence Submitted:
- Letter of accusation
- Depositions of graders
- Depositions of professor
- Written statement of Student A
- Written statement of Student B
- Student A's final exam
- Student B's final exam
- Answer key of final exam
- Course syllabus
- Course notes
- Deposition of witness
- Course textbook
- Tests of other students in the class
Plea:
Both Students A and B plead Not In Violation.
Testimony:
Both Students A and B testified that the similarities in their two tests resulted from the fact that they had studied together and not from collaboration. A sworn witness also testified to the Council that he observed Student B take the test by himself and then turned the test in on behalf of Student B. Student A testified that he took the test in a secure location, turned in the test, and left campus for the summer.
Deliberation:
Honor council members compared the two tests with each other and the other tests in the class and noted that the similarities between the two were striking. There were numerous identically incorrect answers and the layout of certain answers in both exams was extremely similar. The Council unanimously agreed that the number and nature of similarities found in both exams could only be explained by collaboration.
Straw Poll #2
Violation occurred: 9
No violation occurred: 0
Abstentions: 0
After some discussion, the council also agreed that the clear and convincing evidence supported the finding that both students equally and knowingly collaborated.
Straw Poll #3: Student A
In Violation: 9
Not In Violation: 0
Abstentions: 0
Straw Poll #4: Student B
In Violation: 9
Not In Violation: 0
Abstentions: 0
It was also decided by the Council that no mitigating circumstances applied. While both students were certainly polite and seemingly earnest, the evidence supported the conclusion that they were not completely forthcoming with the Council. Therefore, none of the members believed cooperation could be used as a mitigating factor.
The consensus penalty for this violation is an F and two-semester suspension. Given the severity of the violation and the fact that no mitigating circumstances were present, the Council unanimously voted to apply the consensus penalty to both students.
Straw Poll #7: Student A
F and two-semester suspension: 9
F and one-semester suspension: 0
Abstentions: 0
Straw Poll #8: Student B
F and two-semester suspension: 9
F and one-semester suspension: 0
Abstentions: 0
Straw polls 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 were made binding.
Thus, the Honor Council finds Student A and B In Violation of the Honor System and recommends that they receive an F in the course and a two-semester suspension, and that a suspension clause be attached to their records.
Time of Trial and Deliberation: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Arceneaux
Clerk
Last modified Monday, December 9, 2002 3:02 PM
Reach the Honor Council at honor-council@rice.edu