During last night's Honor Committee meeting, Committee members voted against a proposal to change the transcript status of students who leave the University admitting guilt from "Enrollment Discontinued" to "Withdrawn" and adopted two other proposals regarding investigation interviews and trial schedules.
Josh Hess, outgoing vice chair for community relations, explained the transcript status proposal aimed to tackle several issues the Committee currently faces.
"First there is a moral hazard that provides a powerful incentive to postpone trial, and it is irrational to LAG [leave admitting guilt] because you have some chance to be acquitted and gain more credits," he said.
An incentive, however, does not exist for students to LAG, according to Brian O'Neill, outgoing vice chair for trials, because the notation of "Enrollment Discontinued" is noted on transcripts of students who LAG and of students found guilty at trial.
O'Neill noted the cost of delaying trials is very minimal, saying the status change of "Withdrawn" would balance the costs, as it is the status given to University students leaving because of other circumstances, including medical, financial or psychological reasons.
Graduate College Rep. Adam Trusner agreed with the proposal's intent but noted it would result in the Committee overly impacting an accused student's decision.
"I do not think it is wrong to go to trial; it is written in our constitution," he said. "Even if a [guilty] student [delays trial], eventually they will be found guilty and the community of trust is preserved."
Honor Council member Vadim Elenev also raised concerns about the effect the proposal may have on students, adding that he was worried the proposal would create an incentive for possibly innocent students to admit guilt rather than going to trial.
Darden Rep. Eric Schreiber agreed with Elenev's sentiments, adding that if the proposal were to pass, innocent accused students would be encouraged to avoid the trial process so as not to risk expulsion, not only because of the risk in reputation, but also to avoid the mental pressures of a trial.
The Committee motioned to extend debate three times, and the proposal did not pass with 10 votes for the proposal, nine opposed and two abstentions.
The Committee did, however, pass two other proposals, clarifying that the Committee can conduct multiple interviews during investigations and allowing the Committee to present several trial dates to accused students rather than having students suggest dates to the Committee.
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.
