This week the Honor Committee is hosting a series of events as part of “Honor Awareness Week” at the University. Ironically, though, an article published on Monday demonstrates that the Committee has lost sight of the very nature of honor. Monday’s article (“Honor trial verdict finds fourth-year student guilty,” 3/30/2009) illustrates the overly-flawed, incestuous nature of the committee, rendering it more of a spoils system than an honor system. The case, involving an incident of lying about a one page reflection statement in a one credit seminar about honor and taught by honor committee members, was brought up by the future vice chair for investigations. An investigation panel made up of the honor committee members decided the act was serious enough to bring to trial. The random panel of student jurors, screened by the Committee, found this student guilty of act, intent and triviality. The convicted student will have the chance to file an appeal — a decision that is also determined by the Committee. Does anyone else see a flaw in this system? Where are the checks and balances? Where is the oversight?
Aside from the logistical issues with how the current honor system is designed, there are still larger issues surrounding this case and the very idea of honor that the system is supposed to protect. According to one of the convicted student’s accusers, “A degree from the University of Virginia has a certain significance” and “leaving this to go unnoticed” would diminish that. Do we really believe that this one student, who potentially told a lie about a meaningless one page assignment in a one credit class, deserves to have his entire education and life derailed so that the rest of us can ensure our degree is “significant” enough?
It is unfortunate for this convicted student that the Hoos Against Single Sanction amendment last month was voted down by the majority of the student body. Many of the amendment’s opponents claimed that if the new amendment passed, students would be punished for stealing pop-tarts or telling white lies. It seems, though, that they can already be punished under the current system for such petty acts. If the amendment had passed, perhaps the jury would have seen fit another, more fitting punishment for this student.
Read More
LETTER: Misunderstanding the Honor Committee’s mental health procedures
By Seamus Oliver and Alexander Church | March 15, 2024We recognize that the Honor process can be stressful and that any student may benefit from support, regardless of an underlying health condition.
LETTER: Mischaracterizing a tangled war
By Michael Liebermann | February 2, 2024We should not address this war with blind idealism. We should address it, instead, with nuance and care.
P.U.M.P.K.I.N. SOCIETY: Happy Halloween 2023
By P.U.M.P.K.I.N. Society | October 31, 2023The P.U.M.P.K.I.N. Society Recognizes Individuals Who Enrich The University Community Through Their Silent And Selfless Service.
