University of Virginia Library

Large Problem

When asked how the committee
determines what the sentiment on
such issues is, Mr. Clement agreed
that this posed a large problem.
Although some methods have been
proposed like polling and referendums,
Mr. Clement is not sure how
the committee can best act to solve
this problem.

"The actual problem is that
there has been no precedent set
that can guide our actions," Mr.
Clement claimed. "We have a
number of petitions against the
liquor charge but how many do we
need before we can act? We just do
not have any guidelines."

In order to avoid predicaments
like this in the future, the committee
intends to set up specific rules
whereby students can challenge an
interpretation of student opinion
already made by the committee.

Mr. Clement also cited other
common misconceptions which
have confused many students, one
of which concerns the role of the
Honor Committee.

"The Committee is not a police
force nor is it an investigative body;
rather, it is a board of appeals," he
stressed. "The committee protects
the accused against a miscarriage of
justice. It is the responsibility of
the student who must make the
accusation to investigate the case
thoroughly and as secretly as
possible before making an accusation."

Mr. Clement sees two major
areas where confusion exists over
the changes made last year. The
most basic concerns the scope of
the system.

Once he has made an accusation,
that is after he has investigated the
case, the student must report it to
his representative on the committee,
the president of his school, if
the accused leaves the University
without requesting a trial. Both the
accused and the accuser have the
right to counsel, almost always a
law student. As in all trials, the
burden of proof rests with the
accuser.

Following procedural charges
made last year, an accused person
will have the right to have a public
trial. The verdict of the committee
is final but a retrial can be granted
upon presentation of significant
new evidence.

Another of the major problems
that Mr. Clement hopes to improve
is that of continuity on the
committee. Each spring, almost the
entire committee is changed thus
creating a continuity problem much
like that which faces a new
administration in Washington. Mr.
Clement hopes to arrange staggered
elections so that there will always

be a number of committeemen who
are thoroughly experienced with
the system.

"In the long run, our objective is
to personalize the Honor System.
The more related to student life it
is, the stronger the system will be.

"We must make the student
more aware of the system. With a
solid understanding of the Honor
System, the student will respect it,
not fear it," he reasoned.

To do this, the committee hopes
to set aside times when a concerned
student can discuss any questions
about the system with one of the
members of the committee. Not
only would this enable the students
to become more knowledgeable
about the system, but it would help
the committeemen to better judge
student feelings on a personal basis.