The college confirmed they are adopting the clear and convincing evidence standard. I am genuinely stunned that our goal was reached and I know this result belongs to the 290 of you who pushed for fairness. Please stay alert to ensure these changes are implemented as promised.
May 15, 2014
Final supporters
Lafayette College should honor the American principle: Innocent Until Proven Guilty.
In pursuit of a Just Conduct system, I support raising the Burden of Proof necessary to levy punishment in any form, from "More Likely Than Not" to "Clear and Convincing Evidence."
In doing so, I place the onus of providing evidence necessary to levy punishment on the accusing party, and support a Conduct Process that removes the elements of opinion and hearsay from influencing such important decisions.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 22, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
April 22, 2014
April 21, 2014
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have joined this cause. We are nearing a hundred signatures and that momentum is entirely because of you. If you can help get this in front of anyone else who cares about fairness, I would be incredibly thankful.
38 Comments
While I support this effort wholeheartedly, given my two years serving on the Student Conduct Committee as an undergraduate, it's worth noting that just changing the rule will not yield the results that are desired. The system of training for members of the Committee is non-existent, and beyond that, cases are still resolved by those with the loudest voice in the meeting. An increase in the standard of proof does not provide a solution for the flawed nature of the Committee itself.
The judicial system, as it currently stands, makes a mockery of the ideals I study as Government & Law major.
The committee gives power to the dean in charge and staff/students who appear in the hearings. The student has no power to defend him/her self, just to tell his/her side of the story. The committee has blatantly disregarded the College's constitution and bylaws while dishing out their biased form of "justice".
The college, as a liberal arts institution should have a standard at least equal to that of the US Constitution. Panels should be weighted more towards a panel of peers rather than a panel who owes their job and tenure status to the administration making the charges. At stake is a student's future, or perhaps millions of dollars of owned property by a greek organization. If agreed to by the defending party the panel should be open to the student newspaper along with appeals.
The standard of "more likely than not " is even below that for civil trials which is preponderance of the evidence.
good luck
I know what it's like to be a victim of a system like this, reform now!
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The college confirmed they are adopting the clear and convincing evidence standard. I am genuinely stunned that our goal was reached and I know this result belongs to the 290 of you who pushed for fairness. Please stay alert to ensure these changes are implemented as promised.
May 15, 2014
Final supporters
Lafayette College should honor the American principle: Innocent Until Proven Guilty.
In pursuit of a Just Conduct system, I support raising the Burden of Proof necessary to levy punishment in any form, from "More Likely Than Not" to "Clear and Convincing Evidence."
In doing so, I place the onus of providing evidence necessary to levy punishment on the accusing party, and support a Conduct Process that removes the elements of opinion and hearsay from influencing such important decisions.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 22, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
April 22, 2014
April 21, 2014
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have joined this cause. We are nearing a hundred signatures and that momentum is entirely because of you. If you can help get this in front of anyone else who cares about fairness, I would be incredibly thankful.
38 Comments
As a former member of the Student Conduct Committee, I support this proposal. I often found it way too easy that the standard was "more likely than not" and think we need to give students some more leeway when we talk about their student records.
While I support this effort wholeheartedly, given my two years serving on the Student Conduct Committee as an undergraduate, it's worth noting that just changing the rule will not yield the results that are desired. The system of training for members of the Committee is non-existent, and beyond that, cases are still resolved by those with the loudest voice in the meeting. An increase in the standard of proof does not provide a solution for the flawed nature of the Committee itself.
The judicial system, as it currently stands, makes a mockery of the ideals I study as Government & Law major.
The committee gives power to the dean in charge and staff/students who appear in the hearings. The student has no power to defend him/her self, just to tell his/her side of the story. The committee has blatantly disregarded the College's constitution and bylaws while dishing out their biased form of "justice".
The college, as a liberal arts institution should have a standard at least equal to that of the US Constitution. Panels should be weighted more towards a panel of peers rather than a panel who owes their job and tenure status to the administration making the charges. At stake is a student's future, or perhaps millions of dollars of owned property by a greek organization. If agreed to by the defending party the panel should be open to the student newspaper along with appeals.
The standard of "more likely than not " is even below that for civil trials which is preponderance of the evidence.
good luck
I know what it's like to be a victim of a system like this, reform now!
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As a former member of the Student Conduct Committee, I support this proposal. I often found it way too easy that the standard was "more likely than not" and think we need to give students some more leeway when we talk about their student records.