Throughout the past year, UNC’s Honor Court has become notorious, making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Their handling of sexual assault cases — which is now out of their jurisdiction — shed a bad light on the University, and the group itself.
However, honor system leaders are working to ensure utmost transparency in a system that continues to be questioned. Not only are these honor system leaders working to be transparent, but they are also pushing for more involvement from faculty.
Working to create a more transparent and collaborative environment is a much-needed adjustment that could serve to bring back the integrity of the student-led system.
Two of the biggest changes that will be made are changing the burden of proof from “beyond a reasonable doubt” to “clear and convincing evidence” and allowing faculty member participation in the information-gathering phases of academic misconduct cases.
Some faculty members opt to bypass Honor Court, assuming that students may get off easy because of the high burden of proof required, or that the system just doesn’t work. Lowering the burden of proof encourages skeptical professors to use the system, while allowing them to participate in the information-gathering processes adds an element of transparency.
The new push for transparency has come with much dialogue and participation from students, administrators and faculty from all corners of the campus community. Because all three hardworking bodies worked together to problem solve, the honor system will ensure that all parties’ values are well represented.
The Honor Court can continue to provide adjustments by adhering to the principle of using campus dialogue to further improve the organization.
The main goal of the Honor Court is to promote honor by creating a safe environment. In order to do this, transparency and dialogue is essential.
