DC Case Total Nearly Doubles
Over the course of the 2014-15 school year, the Phillips Exeter Academy Disciplinary Committee (DC) heard and ruled on a total of 65 discipline cases, 23 of which were major cases and 42 of which were regular level cases. While the number of regular level cases was similar to last year’s, the number of major cases has almost doubled from the 2013-14 school year’s record of eight major DC cases.
The regular level cases resulted in either restrictions or restrictions with review, and the majority of the offenses were illegal visitations. In addition, there were several instances of lying, failure to follow faculty instructions, irregularities with regards to going Out Of Town, use of tobacco products and inappropriate behavior. This year’s major cases resulted in four Requirements to Withdraw, eight probations and two restrictions with review. This school year, the charges for major cases were plagiarism, leaving Exeter without permission after reporting hours, cheating, stealing, harassment and bullying, recommendation for probation from the Attendance Committee and unsatisfactory conduct.
Dean of Residential Life Arthur Cosgrove said that case numbers were consistent with the past year’s, but the number of illegal visitation cases has dropped by over 50 percent. Just two years ago, the DC oversaw double the number of this year’s cases, a total of 106.
Senior and DC member Emily Lemmerman attributed the decrease in disciplinary cases from two years ago and the consistency between this year’s DC case repertoire and last year’s to a “shift in the drug culture” at the Academy. Lemmerman described that two years ago, “there was a much more present, relatively open culture of mostly marijuana use.” Since then, she believes the culture of the school has turned around. Lemmerman also chalked up the drop in cases to an increase in the usage of the “ASAP” system. The ASAP program allows students to seek help for themselves or a peer without fear of disciplinary action. Lemmerman said that she was “glad” that the community was shifting toward ASAP, as it provides a safe opportunity for students to reflect, learn and improve.
“ASAP doesn’t give you the punishment of probation but still makes you check in and do the intellectual or emotional aspect of figuring out what you did or why there is a school rule about drinking or why you decided to drink at an institution that doesn’t want you to drink,” Lemmerman said. While the number of drug-related cases was low this year, the number of plagiarism cases rose, but DC members did not pinpoint a particular reason for the prevalence of plagiarism cases this year. History instructor Betty Luther-Hillman, having dealt with many papers during her tenure, explained students’ possible rationales in plagiarizing.
“Sometimes, plagiarism occurs because a student is trying to write a paper at the last minute and they panic, and end up plagiarizing in a moment of weakness. Sometimes, though, plagiarism is an indication that a student is deeply struggling, either academically or emotionally.” Luther-Hillman said. Luther-Hillman also emphasized that the prevalence of plagiarism cases points to a larger campus issue. She attributed some cases of plagiarism to feelings of “inadequacy.” “It’s emblematic of the pressures that students at Exeter face,” she said, “They are freaked out about their grades and the college process, and some feel that they want to do anything they can to get a ‘leg up.’” Luther-Hillman and several others concluded that the high-stress issue is “part of the broader culture,” not just Exeter. Nevertheless, this discussion is important no matter its complexities. Luther-Hillman said, “I hope that our new principal will be thinking about ways that our school can be a leader in trying to change this broader culture while maintaining the academic rigor that makes our school special.”
Although the Disciplinary Committee was consistent with years past, many Exonians hoped that the process would become more transparent. “The Disciplinary Committee is sort of tucked away in a corner and typically just talked about as a rumor. It creates almost an effect of a secret society, pulling the strings on important decisions,” prep Bridgette Han said. “Because the committee plays such a key role in the community, the committee should really try to explain the process more, of course not individuals’ intimate details, but just how the committee and cases work. It will create a greater trust in the community that we crucially need in the times of these decisions.”
Lemmerman agreed, saying that the DC’s lack of “transparency” is “one of the Academy’s biggest problems as an institution” and generates distrust among students towards the committee. Lemmerman believed that explaining the DC process to students early in the year would prove beneficial. “I think it would benefit the school if everyone knew exactly what the process was like, exactly what they’re going into,” Lemmerman said. “It would take away the black box aspect which gets people more nervous than they need to be. I think that it would allow for more trust in the DC and a better understanding, for example, of the why we have rules like plagiarism, yet we still allow students to stay who have committed these acts.”
Lemmerman suggested the Academy should go beyond explaining “the big six rules,” and divulge into what the committee considers in their decisions. While the committee looks at attendance records and grades, they care more about “what’s going on with you and how you are thinking about your case.”
Upper and DC member Yena Cho said that the current disciplinary process works very well and is not questionable at all. Cho believed that the DC process does not need to be changed, but just sharing the general thought-process of the committee would show the community, as it has shown the committee members, the process’ meticulousness and trustworthiness.
Many of the new members of the Disciplinary Committee ran campaigns involving transparency. With their careers as committee members started and with the support of old members, greater school-wide discussions on the DC process are expected by many. The new DC members also hoped to accurately represent their peers and be a part of the important discussions that go on during cases. Each hoped to contribute their voice in discussions in hopes of making the most just decisions possible. Lower and new DC member Hillary Aristotle commented that, while the selection process was particularly difficult, she understood the reasons behind it. “Getting on DC was definitely one of the most nerve-racking experiences I have ever gone through. But in a way, I completely understood. The meticulous process is needed for such a serious position,” Aristotle said.
Aristotle said that she looks forward to serving on the committee. After sitting in on some cases, Aristotle noted that the committee dynamic is “very interesting” due to the mix of both faculty and students sitting around the table. Aristotle noted that all members of the committee are respectful and cordial to each other and engaged in a genuine Harkness discussion.
The new members of the Disciplinary Committee looked forward to serving and representing the student body on the committee next year. Aristotle continued to expound upon her motivation for running. “I ran to be on DC to get my voice out there, with the intention that with more opinions, the discussion reaches a greater depth,” Aristotle said. “It will be difficult to fill in the shoes of the seniors graduating this year, but I'm sure with Alan, Henrietta and Connie, we'll be up for it.”