| Honor
Court Governs Academic Integrity
by Lauren Cox
Honor and integrity are attributes the
University attempts to foster in all its
students. UNC-CH's Honor Court holds students
to this standard, but how much do we know
about the confidential system that governs
all students?
The instrument, or code of conduct, defines
the honor code and honor system.
It serves as the basis for the honor court,
UNC-CH’s judicial system, but students
don't seem to know much about the honor court.
The honor court system allows students and
some faculty to hear and decide cases in
which others are accused of conduct and academic
violations. The student attorney general's
staff both defend and prosecute.
Students also have the choice to have a member
of the Independent Defense Council, separate
from the student attorney general, represent
them. Typical cases deal with plagiarism and cheating,
the next most commonly heard cases deal with
drug violations.
Sophomore Katie Milan opened her drug appeals
case to the public, just four weeks after
senior Chase Foster opened his academic violation
case. They were the first two open cases
in four years. Both Milan and Foster decided
to open their cases to give students a better
understanding of the rules that govern all
students.
"I had an open hearing in order to
affect public dialogue and discourse on the
honor court," said Foster.
The honor court Judicial Programs Officer
Dave Gilbert says court officials inform
students at orientation and the beginning
of the year with their outreach program,
but notes there are many other groups vying
for attention.
"The times that we try to connect with
them are at orientation and the beginning
of the school year when everyone else is
also competing for their attention," Gilbert
stated.
In 2003, the first extensive revision in
30 years of the honor court and instrument
provided more flexible sanctions and gave
more control to faculty. Yet Independent
Defense Council President Glenna Goldis believes
flaws still remain. Goldis has suggestions
she believes could help alleviate some of
the issues.
“I don't see what the advantages are,
that couldn't be gained in some other way.
Like
I said, if you are falsely accused of cheating
by a professor, you could appeal the grade
instead of going before the court - it'd
be less of a process," said Goldis.
How the honor court works remains a mystery
to many, but if more students open their
cases to the public, the student body might
gain better insight into the judicial process
on campus. The honor court will be accepting
applications next week.
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