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. "Therefore a psychological evaluation is more appropriate."
The contributory mental disorder defense is not an easy out for students charged with honor offenses. Smith stressed it is only a way to give students the proper treatment.
"The standard is really very high," Smith said. "The fact is that some students should go the route of psychological help rather than an honor trial."
He said he could not go into specific details of the students' mental disorders because of privacy requirements.
Students who request such an evaluation meet with a dean from the Office of the Dean of Students who interviews them to evaluate whether they should be considered for testing. Students deemed as potentially suffering from a disorder then work with a panel of psychologists and psychiatrists who decide whether they should receive medical treatment.
Requests for contributory mental disorder examinations are not uncommon. In the 2001-2002 year, 31 students brought up on honor charges asked for an evaluation. Though results are confidential, Smith explained that "traditionally about half of the requests of evaluation are granted, and then traditionally about half of those are confirmed by panels, meaning a quarter of those who request evaluation are found to have a disorder."
The number of students requesting evaluation and those who were found to suffer a disorder increased dramatically for the 2001-2002 year.
"We definitely had more this year than in years past, and more students requested evaluation," outgoing Committee Chairman Thomas Hall said. "I think, though, that the process worked well and those who needed professional help were handled by professionals."
Smith added that the process exists to ensure students receive fair treatment.
"The honor system is student run, we are not capable of conducting psychological examinations," Smith said. "This is in place for students to turn to when they have a disorder"
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