TO THE EDITOR:
In response to Mark Laichena’s column “Honor system lacks clarity,” I feel that Mr. Laichena may not have adequately reviewed the honor system’s website (honor.unc.edu) nor did he notice the week-long Honor System Integrity Week that is held in the Pit annually during the Spring semester.
As a member of the undergraduate attorney general staff, as well as the Committee on Student Conduct, I have firsthand experience with our efforts to make the Honor Code and the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance available and clear for our student body, faculty, and administrators.
The Instrument is organized into easy-to-navigate sections, the structure of the system is provided, and an overview of processes outlined on our website. That being said, I can understand that the processes of the system may seem complicated or confusing to those who have neither made a real effort toward gaining clarity nor had to go through the process of an investigation and hearing.
As members of the system, those on attorney general staff, the Honor Court, and outreach team feel privileged to serve the student body and Carolina community, and we are proud of the work we do. So, let me share that if you have any questions please feel free to contact us via the numbers and email addresses provided on the website. You also may know someone who is a member of the system, and I’m sure they would be willing to answer questions. We are constantly looking for ways to improve, so please give us your feedback.
Lastly, I feel it is very important to reiterate that confidentiality and the privacy of individual students — high-profile or not — is never to be compromised. Not only is it a legal obligation of ours, but also a genuine appreciation for each student because we would want the same if in a similar situation.
Blake C. Barrington
Class of 2011
Biology
