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Abstract of the Honor Council
Case #3, Fall, 2002
November 18, 2002
Members Present:
Joan Shreffler (presiding) Kevin Arceneaux, Robert Cardnell, Chris Conrad, Rebecca Daprato, Sally Anne Gutting, Jason Longoria, Matt Mino, Andy Perez, Teresa Fu (non-binding)
Ombuds:
Anshu Duggal
Letter of Accusation:
The Honor Council received a letter of accusation from a professor of an upper-level humanities class that accused Student A of plagiarizing segments of his midterm exam, which is a violation of that class's honor code policy.
Evidence Submitted:
- Letter of Accusation
- Written statement of Student A
- Course syllabus
- Description of Midterm Exam Assignment
- Copy of Student A's Exam Prior to Grading
- Copy of Student A's Graded Exam
- Excerpts from Several Websites
- Statement from Student A's mother
- Statement from Student A's stepfather
Plea:
Student A pled In Violation.
Testimony:
Student A talked about the severe emotional distress he was under at the time of the incident. He admitted to violating the honor code and explained that his poor decision was a result of a traumatic incident that occurred during the time period in question.
Discussion: The Honor Council members asked the accused if Student A had attempted to modify the sources before incorporating them into his paper. He explained that he did not modify the sources and explained that he was in a rush to finish the assignment and pointed to a place where he had plagiarized a source that had gone unnoticed.
Closing Statement: Student A asked the honor council to consider the severe emotional distress he was under at the time of the incident. He apologized and said that he was ashamed of his poor decision.
Deliberation:
The Council unanimously agreed that Student A was in violation of the honor code. The Council felt that severe emotional distress and cooperation should function as mitigating circumstances during the penalty phase.
Straw Poll #1 - Student A
In Violation 9+1(non-binding)
Not in Violation 0
Straw Poll # 2- Student A
F + 2 0
Loss of Credit in Course 2
Zero on Assignment 1+1(non-binding)
Re-average Course grade without Midterm 4
Abstentions 2
The members that abstained from the voting said they needed more time to decide on an adequate penalty. They all agreed that because of the mitigating circumstances, Student A should not receive the consensus penalty of an F in the course with a two-semester suspension. Some members felt that it wouldn't be fair to give Student A credit for work he had not done. They felt this would happen if the Council decided to re-average the course grade without the midterm factored in. This argument persuaded the other council members and third straw poll was taken.
Straw Poll #3 - Student A
Loss of Credit in Course 9+1(observing)
Re-average course grade without Midterm 0
Zero on Assignment 0
Abstentions 0
Straw polls 1 and 3 were made binding.
Thus, the Honor Council finds Students A In Violation of the Honor Code and recommends that he receive loss of Credit in the Course in question. Additionally, a suspension clause will be attached to their records.
Time of Trial and Deliberation: Thirty-Six Minutes
Respectfully Submitted,
Chris Conrad
Clerk
Last modified Wednesday, August 29, 2001 03:10 PM
Reach the Honor Council at honor-council@rice.edu