The History News Network reports this week that Ann Lane, a prominent professor of history and the Director of Studies in Women and Gender at UVa, may have committed the sort of academic fraud on her PhD dissertation which, if she were a University student, would certainly warrant honor charges and, likely, expulsion. (Lane is quoted as saying that UVa’s strict honor code is “pretty stupid.”) Lane provided a rebuttal, in which she accuses HNN of “shabby journalism,” who, in turn, accuses Lane of half-truths, deception, and having covered up her charges of plagiarism. There has been past discussion here on UVa’s Honor Code that might be useful for reference.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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I don’t know much about this particular case, but I have to say that I disagree completely with the statement:
"if she were a University student, would certainly warrant honor charges and, likely, expulsion."
you can probably gather dozens to hundreds of anecdotes from cvillenews readers about honor cases — in most cases where there is absolute, incontrovertible evidence that a student is guilty of cheating they are almost never expelled. In her case it sounds like she would not meet the "intent" criterion necessary to be found guilty
The oohvah honor code treats every student like a criminal. It assumes they WANT to lie cheat and steal.
If you treat someone like a criminal, they’ll think they are a criminal. How about some trust? If anyone needs an honor code, its the suits who run UVA (and indirectly, the city).
I think they should just hang a blanket rule over their heads, like: "We can do anything to you at any time for absolutely no reason at all". I mean seriously, who goes to university thinking they have rights?
I don’t know much about this particular case, but I have to say that I disagree completely with the statement:
“if she were a University student, would certainly warrant honor charges and, likely, expulsion.”
You’re quite right. I didn’t provide sufficient weight to the fact that these are mere charges, and not facts, and that my lack of psychic abilities prevent me from determining what the outcome would be before an honor trial. :) Although everything was straight in my head, this didn’t come across well in the write-up. On your advice, I’ve changed that phrasing to make it more passive, and altered my description of HNN’s article. (I’d described as accusing her of fraud. It doesn’t; they dance around the issue, too, saying that it appears that she might have behavior that might be fraud, or something like that.)
Every now and again, the topic comes up as to whether or not I count as a reporter. And, every now and again, a story like this comes along that demonstrates that I am, without question, far too incompetent to serve as a reporter. :)