| Honor Council Rice University |
Abstract of the Honor Council
Case # 9, Fall 1996
February 20, 1997
Members present: John Doll, Jan Huber (observing) Jeff Gavornik, Julieann
Grant Dan Grossman, Karrie Johnson, Lauren Kern (presiding), Packy Saunders
Ombudsman: John Gillum
Letter Of Accusation
The Honor Council received a letter of accusation from a professor
stating that he had been informed by one of his students that Student A
had cheated on a quiz in an upper level humanities class.
Evidence Submitted
Ietter from the professor
statement by Student A
course syllabus
copy of Student A's quiz
Plea
Student A entered a plea of In Violation.
Testimony
Student A took the quiz at the beginning of the class, but thought
afterwards that he had forgotten to write his name on it. After class, he
went to the stack of quizzes to make sure he had included his name. When
he found his quiz he changed his answer. Student A immediately wanted to
tell the professor what he had done, but the professor was engaged in a
conversation with other students. Student A repeatedly tried to contact
the professor that day, spoke with him on the telephone that evening, and
met with him the following morning. Student A added that he had been
under emotional stress due to familial problems and illness.
Witness 1, the professor, confirmed that Student A called him at home and
admitted to changing his answer on his quiz and also met with him the
next morning. The professor explained that several quizzes were given in
the class with the best five quizzes counting 10% each.
Penalty Deliberation
The Council recommended a penalty of Loss of Credit in the course for
this violation. Because the quiz was worth 10% of the course grade, the
consensus penalty for the violation was an F in the course and a one
semester suspension from the University. This penalty was mitigated based
on the fact that Student A cooperated with the Council by entering a plea
of In Violation. Some members also considered emotional stress and/or
self-accusation in good faith as additional mitigating circumstances.
These members cited Student A's desire to attend counseling and his
attempts at contacting the professor as evidence of these mitigating
circumstances, respectively.
F in the course 2
Loss of credit in the course 5 (+1 observing)
F on the quiz 0
The Council also recommends that a suspension clause be attached to
Student AUs record. Time of hearing and deliberation: 2 hour, 20 minutes.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julieann Grant,
Trial Clerk