With the Honor Committee gearing up for a large-scale education effort that will present six proposed constitutional amendments to the student body, the Committee hopes the major issue of diversity doesn't get lost in the shuffle.
The Honor System Review Commission's analysis of racial diversity and the honor system takes a candid look into defining the problem and perceptions of racial bias in the honor system.
"We do not believe - and there is absolutely no evidence to suggest - that students of color behave less honorably than their white counterparts," the report states. "The problem is not just that minority students are accused of honor offenses at a higher rate than white students. It is also that minority students do not participate in the governance of the system in anything like the numbers or with the same enthusiasm as do white students."
In the past, students have been critical of the system, claiming that minority students are subject to "spotlighting."
The Commission attempts to explain that this problem can be attributed to the "very different perceptions of the system across racial lines."
According to the report, many minority students feel alienated by the honor system and believe the system is run by and for the benefit of white students.
It goes on to state that since the Committee plays little or no role in the initiation of cases, white students who are active in the system become frustrated for "being criticized for the disproportionate percentage of accusations brought against minority students, which they see as a problem not of their own making."
The report uses this analysis of diversity and the honor system to make five recommendations - some old ideas from past Committees restated and reemphasized - which they feel will, over time, dispel these perennial concerns.
These proposals include generating a survey specifically targeted to minority students to garner views and attitudes on where prejudice exists in the system.
Other proposals include creating a Diversity Advisory Board which would be an independent body of students, faculty, administrators and alumni charged with improving Committee performance in racial outreach and also drastically increasing diversity training.
Thomas Hall, Committee chairman and Commission member, said for these proposals to work realistically, the Honor Committee needs the support of University minority groups in its endeavors.
"We want to avoid the perception of the Honor Committee coming down from its ivory tower and inviting people up. This effort does involve meeting people in the middle," Hall said.
Amy Campbell, Committee member and Commission member agreed.
"This definitely has to be a cooperative effort, but Honor has to take the first step," Campbell said.
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