Student Council rejected a contracted independent organization application last night for an organization called the Honor Commission aimed at discussing the meaning of honor at the University. Council's failure to approve the group came after comments by Honor Chair Ben Cooper, along with the 2003-04 former Chair Carey Mignerey, urging Council to refuse the group's CIO status request on the grounds that it's name would confuse students by falsely suggesting an association with the Honor Committee.
The group seeks to create an outlet for discussion about issues concerning honor outside of the realm of the Honor Committee, according to group founder Patrick Lee, a fourth-year Architecture student.
"The purpose of the group is to discuss the idea of honor and how to bring that sense of honor back to the University," Lee said.
In his comments to Council, Cooper stated that his concern was not the group's purpose but rather the group's name.
"It is a noble group in terms of the goals they have stated in their constitution," Cooper said. "My concern ... lies in that the group is entitling themselves as The Honor Commission without being affiliated with or created by the Honor Committee."
Cooper explained he feels the name "commission" could be misinterpreted by some as being a part of or authorized by the Honor Committee. He added that the previous existence of a Committee-authorized honor commission may add to confusion in accidentally "applying some kind of authority to the commission." He urged Council to consider possible confusion when debating the group's CIO status request.
Mignerey echoed Cooper's concerns that the term "commission" in the group's title could misrepresent the group.
"The objective of having students discuss the honor system and to suggest ways in which to continue to make it more relevant is a good thing for the University," Mignerey said. "My reason for coming is to ensure that organizations that foster that conversation are not titled in such a way that is confusing to University students and the community at large. For instance the title of Honor Commission denotes an organization acting with authority."
Mignerey added that the Commission's purpose and affiliations could be misinterpreted, for example, by the press.
Council members echoing these concerns in their discussion of the group.
College Rep. Matt Schrimper said concerns about the group's name played a role in his opposition to the group.
"My main concern is there might be a bit of confusion about the group which seems awfully similar to the Honor Committee and past commissions they had," Schrimper said.
Student Council President Lauren Tilton also opposed the group as it currently is presented, saying it seems to purposely bring to mind the Honor Committee.
"I think it's deceptive and confusing and that the way the organization is even structured is confusing," Tilton said, referring to the way in which the group even has a vice chair, similar to the Honor Committee.
She added that if the group wishes to serve as a forum for students to discuss ideas, its title ought to reflect this.
Other Council members echoed Tilton's sentiments.
"It seems the only reason they would have their name would be to confuse people," Vice President of Administration Jack Wilson said.
Concerns were raised during the meeting about whether Council had the right to refuse CIO status to a group because of qualms about its name. Some members noted there was no precedent for such action, while others said concerns about the potential confusion the name could incite was just cause for the denial.
"If we are going to set precedent then this is the group to set precedent with," Law Rep, Kevin Walsh said.
According to Vice President for Organizations Catherine Tobin, who initially approved the Commission's application before the full Council reviewed it, there is nothing in Council bylaws that would prevent the group from being approved. Council's current bylaws state grounds for objection to CIO status requests are "limited to alleged failure by the group to fulfill the terms of the qualification petition, fraudulence, or violation of University regulations, State, or Federal law." According to Lee, the group complied with all the regulations and qualifications for a CIO and did not break any laws.
After the meeting, Lee said he disagreed with Council's decision, saying it reflected the way in which "the Honor Committee feels it has a monopoly over the word honor and anything involving honor."
Lee said he will review Council's decision and decide later whether to appeal the decision.
Read More
Winsome Earle-Sears talks higher education in first U.Va. event of the campaign
By Ford McCracken | 14 hours agoA Jamaican immigrant and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Earle-Sears is the first female lieutenant governor of Virginia,
U.Va.'s Earth Day Eco-Fair 2025 spotlights sustainability advocacy
By Leigh Bailey | 15 hours agoStudents from Contracted Independent Organizations and University Office of Sustainability leadership programs each shared their unique perspectives about sustainability advocacy on Grounds.
Student Council votes to relocate Hereford orchard and basketball hoop
By Lauren Seeliger | YesterdayStudent Council passed a resolution Tuesday to relocate the orchard and basketball hoop of Hereford Residential College due to construction in the surrounding area.
