SO YOU bought all your text books and restocked your supply of pens and notebooks. You feel ready and prepared for the new semester. However, more than academics is in store this semester - and I'm not just talking about the raucous parties you have planned. Our University community will be confronting important issues this semester, and as a member of that community, you have a responsibility to be aware. To assist you, I have taken the liberty of preparing a helpful primer on some of the more important issues of the months ahead.
Reforming the Honor System: The Honor System Review Commission released their final report last November, in which they outlined 15 proposals to alter the honor system. These proposals include such tweaks as better training of support officers, increased education in the University community, and codifying the existing practice of conferring with the general counsel regarding all issues relating to appeals and grievances. More fundamental changes to overhaul the system have been proposed as well. These include eliminating the option of random student juries, eliminating trial advocates for accused students, and revocation of the Fifth Amendment echo (i.e. accused need not testify against themselves). More generally, the system would be altered from an adversarial set-up to an administrative one with an increased emphasis on finding out the truth.
What you need to know: Nine of the reforms proposed are solely in the hands of the Honor Committee. However, six are constitutional amendments and would have to be passed by 60 percent of the vote in a student referendum. This referendum may be part of the general Student Council election to be held later this spring. This is where you come in. You may ultimately be voting on the fate of these proposals, and to do so you need to be informed. At the very least, read them - they are available online through the Honor Committee's Web page (www.student.virginia.edu/~honor). In the months ahead you undoubtedly will hear and read many other opinions about the wisdom of each particular measure, but first read them to judge them for yourself. If you have strong opinions you may wish to join the campaign either in favor or opposed to passing them - that's just extra credit. Finally, make sure to vote in the referendum. Only a 10 percent student turnout is required to amend the honor constitution. Any changes to our honor system will effect you even if you don't personally vote. Don't let that happen.
Standards of Conduct Revisions: This past year the University Judiciary Committee has undertaken to rewrite the 12 standards of conduct. The proposed changes - primarily intended to clarify and better define the standards - are more of a tweaking than a radical adjustment. They were submitted to the Board of Visitors for approval yesterday and will be formally voted on at the Board's April 5 meeting.
What you need to know: Unlike the honor constitution, you have no direct voice in whether these changes are made. The Standards of Conduct establish the rules and guidelines that all students of the University must follow. Regardless of whether the changes were adopted, you should take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the Standards of Conduct. You heard them read to you in the flurry of orientation week during first year, but a refresher never hurts. They can most easily be found in the University Record or online at the UJC website.
Student Council Elections: During the spring semester, elections will be held to elect representatives to Student Council, the Judiciary Committee and the Honor Committee. This is the big election of the year, and a prime opportunity for you to play a part in our student self-governance. If you would like to take a more active role, then consider running for an office yourself.
What you need to know: Elections are coming down the road. There will be much hoopla surrounding them, and you first years likely will see sidewalk chalking taken to new extremes. Stay aware and informed regarding the candidates. Then don't forget to vote. This election will include the honor referendum, so you can take care of both obligations with only one vote.
I hope that you found this primer to be helpful and that you now feel truly prepared for the semester ahead.
(Benjamin Grosz's column appears Friday in The Cavalier Daily. He is a UJC support officer.)
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