As student leaders of the University’s Honor Court educate students this week about role of the honor system, opinion editor Maggie Zellner sat down with Michelle Healy, chair of the Undergraduate Honor Court, to discuss how they make decisions and determine sanctions.
Daily Tar Heel: How does the Honor Court make decisions? Is each individual case different, or are there more general guidelines?
Michelle Healy: What makes it difficult is the fact that we don’t operate on precedent. We have some guiding factors, but we make our judgments on a case-by-case basis.
DTH: What are kinds of circumstances might lead to a lesser punishment, even if a student is found guilty?
MH: There are four categories of factors we consider when deciding on sanctions. The first two are the gravity of the offense and what the student can learn from the experience. The third consideration is equitable treatment for similar offenses. The final one is other compelling circumstances.
DTH: What qualifies as “other compelling circumstances”?
MH: Whatever other evidence the student provides for the Court falls into this category. I really cannot tell you any blanket circumstances that may or may not be compelling — not only because of confidentiality but also because we look at each case on an individual basis.
DTH: Does the same panel of Honor Court members determine both guilt and punishment for a given case, or do separate groups make these judgments?
MH: The same panel that judges a case also determines what sanctions are given. That is, if sanctioning is required.