The Honor Committee voted against renewing a single sanction ad hoc committee during its meeting last night. Ad hocs on procedures, technology, and the formation of a U.Va. 101 course will be created for the upcoming year.
The decision not to form the single sanction ad hoc this year came after extended debate with eight voting to reform the ad hoc committee, 12 against and three abstaining. The ad hoc committee was originally formed after the passage of a referendum two years ago stating the Honor Committee should seek alternatives to the single sanction.
"The problem that we had was there wasn't really any enthusiasm for the ideas, and it's really hard to ask people to [propose alternatives] when they don't actually think it's a good idea," said Vice Chair for Trials Brian O'Neill.
The Committee discussed forming an ad hoc to examine different ways of looking at the single sanction, addressing other points related to the issue.
Committee member Eric Flow also discussed the close vote on a non-binding referendum to change the sanction system that failed in this spring's election.
Although almost half of the student body supported an end to the single sanction, Flow claims that there is a need to simply change the system, rather than remove it.
"Yes, 49.5 percent voted for this non-binding resolution, but over 50 percent voted against it," he said. "That sends mixed messages, but every time it sends a message on the side of the single sanction. We should think of ways to improve the single sanction and not ways to alter it or remove it."
Committee members also expressed concern that the single sanction has virtually monopolized debate about Honor over the past few years. Josh Hess, vice chair for community relations, mentioned a desire to address the "moral ambiguities" introduced by the single sanction. As an example, Hess proposed changes in trial procedures to eliminate the incentive to lie in trial.
"I think we should emphatically avoid reinventing the wheel, from doing the same things we've done over the past three or four years," he said.
Committee member Laura Holland, former single sanction ad hoc chair, echoed this sentiment, saying though Committee members don't necessarily always agree with the single sanction system, they all believe in the system or they wouldn't be a part of it in the first place.
"We're getting criticism for not coming up with proposals [to change the single sanction], but we're not the best body to be a part of it," she said.
Honor Chair Ben Cooper, however, emphasized that debate over single sanction will not disappear with the end of the ad hoc committee.
"I don't think that the lack of a creation of a single sanction ad hoc means that the discussion regarding the sanction is done," he said.
The procedural ad hoc will be co-chaired by third-year College student Catherine Anne Daley and Medical student Alex Hawkins. The technology ad hoc will be headed by third-year Engineering student Vanessa Trahan and second-year engineering student Thad Darden. Commerce student Eric Flow will chair the U.Va. 101 ad hoc committee.
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