Standard for Determining Responsibility
In contrast to the prevailing legal standard in criminal matters of
“beyond a reasonable doubt” and to be
consistent with comparable standards at other institutions of
higher education, the faculty member, honor court or other
officials identified in the Academic Honor System determine that a
student is responsible for conduct when they assess that a
preponderance of the evidence supports that conclusion. A
preponderance of the evidence exists when the evidence supports the
conclusion that it is “more likely than not”
that the student engaged in the misconduct.
