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Originally Posted by TheSizzle36
In 2004, I believe all involved were acquitted? Correct me if I'm wrong. So then, what ever happened to 'innocent until proven guilty?' With the Honor Code Office, it's really 'guilty until proven innocent'. Which is somewhat ironic when you think of what 'Honor Code' should stand for.
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I think one of the biggest problems is cultural (I think you allude to this in an earlier post). My dealings with the HCO made me feel like I was talking to a Church authority (Bishop, SP, something like that). I was familiar with the Rs of repentance so I applied them with the HCO and was sent on my way. Granted, I was never there for anything more than dress and grooming issues, but others that went for more serious issues reported the same type of treatment. Being white and Mormon probably helps.
Non-Mormons are ill prepared to negotiate the process, since they probably don't fully understand it. Their instinct is probably to deny and wait for proof to be presented, when confession and begging for forgiveness would be much more effective. Tears would also be very helpful. But that doesn't happen because they are not programmed that way. Hence. harsher treatment.
That said, given the publicity surrounding those accused of gang rape, I don't know if anything could have saved them from expulsion. Under the current political climate, I honestly wonder if other schools might not have reacted similarly.