Judicial Processes To Change

As requested by Moeser, COSC submitted a preliminary report indicating the process it will use to address the recommendations of the Task Force on Student Judicial Processes.

Earlier this year, that task force was formed to study the University's judicial system and suggest changes to make it more efficient.

After the study was published, COSC was called to evaluate the conclusions and suggestions made by the task force.

"Members of COSC have carefully studied the task force report, including its specific recommendations, as well as underlying themes," Chairwoman Judith Wegner wrote in a letter to Moeser.

The committee also was asked to submit a final report advising Moeser.

"The report that will be handed in Dec. 1 will be our final recommendation as to how to apply the task force report," said Student Body Vice President Aaron Hiller, one of the six student members of COSC.

One of the recommendations that is under consideration by COSC members is the possible change in the burden of proof for academic integrity and student conduct cases.

The burden would be changed from "beyond a reasonable doubt" to a more lax standard of "clear and convincing evidence."

"Part of the argument for the change (of the burden of proof) is that this is not a criminal court, it isn't the person's freedom we are taking about," Hiller said. "We're talking about the privilege for them to attend a public university."

In addition, the task force proposed that a new grade be added. "XF" would indicate a failure in a class due to academic sanctions.

According to COSC's preliminary report, the task force recommended that the grade would be allowed "to be altered to a simple 'F' if a special course on integrity were satisfactorily completed."

Hiller said COSC would not make the decision on the change to the grading system. "Because it is an academic matter, we are leaving the initiative with the Faculty Council," Hiller said. "It is not something that COSC is working on except theoretically."

When COSC submits its final report, it will have to be taken into consideration by several groups before a final decision can be made.

"We will turn in the details to the changes to Moeser, the Faculty Council and student government, and changes could definitely happen next semester," said senior Steve Russell, a member of COSC.

"Right now, everything is still up in the air."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.