News
By Nick Chapin
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April 3, 2002
Seven students brought to trial on charges stemming from Physics Prof. Louis Bloomfield's comprehensive investigation of cheating and plagiarism were found to suffer contributory mental disorders, exempting them from honor code punishment.
Students found to have a mental disorder are excused of charges, though some are asked to leave the University because of the significant risk they could pose to the community.
Such figures emerged from the 2001-2002 honor case statistics, which the Honor Committee released Monday.
"This means they were diagnosed with a contributory mental disorder that was contemporaneous with the act, meaning it directly affected what they did," Committee Chairman Chris Smith said.
"Because students with such a condition are medically unable to form intent, we cannot deal with them, since the three parts of a conviction are act, intent and seriousness," Smith said.