The following report on some of the more serious disciplinary sentences handed down by the PROCTORS during the second semester of 2008 is issued by the Office of the Dean of Students on behalf of the University and in the interests of engendering responsible student behaviour. The report is also aimed at educating the University community about the nature of the offences and the penalties which have been imposed:
PROCTORS' HEARINGS
1. Finding:
A student was found guilty of fraud in that he misinformed the IT Division about his identity and intentionally masqueraded as another student during 2008
Penalty:
The student has been excluded from Rhodes for a year, and this exclusion is suspended while at Rhodes, on condition that there is no further conviction involving dishonesty. The student must also complete 100 hours of compulsory service by the end of this term, and must repay R1500 to the Information Technology Division.
2. Finding:
A student was found guilty of theft by intentionally and unlawfully retaining possession of the test answer books of six fellow students from a test venue, and contravening Rule 15.18 and 15.19 (interfering with the normal processes and activities of the University) in that the student failed to return the answer books to the lecturer despite being given the opportunity to do so anonymously.
Penalty:
The student has been excluded from Rhodes for one year, and this exclusion is suspended for two years on condition that there is no further conviction involving dishonesty. The student must also complete 100 hours of compulsory service.
3. Finding:
A student was found guilty of contravening Rule 15.1 and committing fraud by submitting a falsified medical certificate to his Department in order to obtain leave of absence.
Mitigating factors:
The student was found to be genuinely remorseful and fully cooperated during the investigation.
Penalty:
The student has been excluded from Rhodes for one year, and this exclusion is suspended whilst at Rhodes on condition that there is no further conviction involving fraud. The student must also complete 75 hours of compulsory service.
4. Finding:
A student was found guilty of contravening Rules 15.1 and 15.14 by committing malicious damage to property and causing extensive damage to the doors of a residence, and refusing to supply a name and student number when requested by a CPU guard.
Aggravating factor:
The student had consumed alcohol (Rule 18.6.31).
Penalty:
The student has been excluded from Rhodes for one year, and this exclusion is suspended for a year on condition that there is no further conviction involving damage to property whilst under the influence of alcohol. The student must also complete 75 hours of compulsory service, and pay for the repairs.
5. Finding:
Two students was found guilty of contravening Rules 15.1 committing fraud by signing an attendance register in class and leaving immediately, to the prejudice of Rhodes University.
Penalty:
The students must complete 25 hours of compulsory service, suspended subject to submitting an academically satisfactory essay of 1500 words on the topic of ethics.
6. Finding:
A student was found guilty of contravening Rule 15.8 by harassing and following another student, using foul language and refusing to leave the premises or supply a name and student number when requested to do so by a CPU guard.
Aggravating factor:
The student was intoxicated (Rule 18.6.31).
Penalty:
The student has been excluded from Rhodes for one year, and this exclusion is suspended for a year on condition that there is no similar conviction whilst intoxicated. The student must also complete 70 hours of compulsory service.
Vivian de Klerk
DEAN OF STUDENTS