UNC’s honor system now handles cases more efficiently after it underwent an overhaul in 2003, and more improvements are on the horizon, according to a report released at Friday’s Faculty Council meeting.
The group’s latest resolution, approved at the meeting, attempts to solve the potential problem of large-scale cases that could swamp the system, such as a case in 2000 that involved 24 computer science students.
The resolution gives the student attorney general the option to present cases involving five or more students who accept responsibility for their violations to a three-member panel and reach an agreement without a formal hearing. The resolution also includes a written notice that a student cannot graduate with an unresolved case in the honor system.
“You can have an outbreak of big cases, and this resolution makes sure we’re prepared,” said Judith Wegner, chairwoman of the faculty.
While the number of cases reported during the fall semester has remained between 120 and 140 for the past four years, honor system officials increased the number of cases heard in the fall from 64 in 2002 to 96 in 2004 — a 50 percent increase.
“The increase stems from the revamping of the system in 2000 and the changes in the code in 2003,” Student Attorney General Carolina Chavez said. “We’re much better equipped to handle the case load.”
The most significant changes include measures that encourage students to accept responsibility for their actions, allow faculty to make final grading decisions and provide more flexibility in sanctioning guilty students.
“We have more options with our sanctions now,” Chavez said.
“We can offer additional papers, community service and other sanctions that focus on the educational aspect instead of the punitive aspect.”
