University of Virginia Library

Immediate Suspension

The proposed lighter penalty would
consist of immediate suspension for the
remainder of the semester and the
following semester. The report included
special rules to insure that a student
convicted near the end of a semester
could complete his exams.

"It would be vindictive to deny him an
opportunity to receive credit for a
semester's work which he has
completed," the report said.

The proposed penalty system would
have allowed a student convicted for a
"minor" offense to return within a year
after his suspension.

"We owe it to the student to allow
him a chance to redeem himself," Mr.
Davidson said.

But Mr. Bagby said, "We don't think
this University is a rehabilitation
institution."

Both he and Mr. Davidson said they
felt the poll was a dependable indicator
of student opinion.

Mr. Davidson said, however, that he
felt the poll results showed that a
referendum should be held to decide the
question of graduated penalties. He said
he hoped that such a referendum would
take place.

To call such a referendum would
require a petition signed by 5 per cent of
the student body and ratification of it by
40 per cent of the student body.

Mr. Davidson said he will hold a press
conference today at 1 p.m. in Mural Hall
at the law School to present a proposal
to call a student referendum to decide the
penalty question.

"The results of the poll should be
released immediately," he said.

Mr. Bagby said he considered the poll
had as much or more validity as an
opinion indicator than a referendum
would have.