11.20. Honor Council Self-Governance

During any investigation or hearing, any honor council member has the right to challenge the impartiality of any other member with respect to the particular case being heard. The challenge must be substantive, reasonable and must be stated in the presence of all assembled members; if necessary, the accused and any other persons not on the honor council are first removed from the room. The object of the allegation is permitted to rebut the assertion that he/she/they ought to recuse him/herself. After the claim has been made and rebutted, members (excluding the person whose impartiality is being called into question) vote by secret ballot on whether or not to force a removal of the member in question. The motion passes upon receiving a simple majority, and members are obliged to cast their ballots based on the preponderance of the evidence standard. If the member is required to recuse him/herself, then he/she/they will leave the room immediately and will not return while the case in question is being adjudicated.

If at any time a member of the honor council no longer meets the minimum qualifications for service (see Sec. 11.8.) then he/she/they is immediately removed from the honor council rolls for the duration of his/her term of service.

If any member of the honor council has allegedly exhibited behavior inconsistent with the position of trust he/she/they should warrant by being on the honor council, then he/she/they may be removed from the honor council. Breaching the confidentiality of proceedings and having been charged with an honor code infraction (certainly if found liable, and even possibly if not) are reasons for expelling a member, although other reasons also exist. It is the entire corpus of all honor council members that would be invited to the proceedings. The quorum for such a meeting will be ten members, including at least one student, at least one faculty member and the secretary. Charges will be stated aloud by those making the allegations, evidence (if any) will be put forth, witnesses may be called, and the accused member will have a chance to rebut such testimony and allegations, may cross-examine witnesses, and may call witnesses of his/her own. Once the testimonial and interrogatory portions of the meeting are concluded and the accused member has been offered the chance to present a closing statement, he/she/they leaves the room.  After deliberation, the other members present will vote on a motion to expel or to acquit. Members are obligated to cast their votes according to the preponderance of the evidence standard, and the motion passes if it receives a simple majority in support. In the event of a tie, members will deliberate further and re-vote as necessary, until the motion at hand (to expel or to acquit) receives a simple majority. The accused member is notified of the decision by the secretary. If the member is expelled, he/she/they is immediately removed from the honor council rolls and will not be eligible for election or selection to the honor council again.