Sunk @ the Docks
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2011
- Messages
- 30
I am a current Midshipman at KP.
While the gender of the 3 midshipman may not have officially played a role in the decision of the Administration to overturn the case, it most certainly comes off that way to us Midshipmen. Perception is reality. It is a widely held belief (based on honor cases such as this) that what a male can get away with at this school and what a female can get away with are two very different things. Call me sexist or whatever you want, I am just merely saying how this all comes off to us mids.
While I can only speak for myself, I can say that I have discussed this matter with other midshipmen and this is how we see it:
3 midshipmen were accused of breaking into a teacher’s office, stole the test (either by taking a picture of it, copying the answers down or other) and used their illegally gained information on the test.
These girls were brought forward on charges, and the whole matter went to the honor board. The honor board did an investigation, held a trial and despite both sides presenting weak cases, the 3 girls were found guilty of violating the honor code. All midshipmen know that the Honor Board decision is not legally binding. Midshipmen are selected to represent the regiment of midshipmen and in their opinion, the three girls were found guilty of violating the honor code. Since the jury members represent the opinion of the regiment, the regiment of midshipmen essentially told the Administration that:
"We believe that these 3 midshipmen have violated the Honor code and should no longer be a part of the regiment."
The Administration, for whatever reason they want to give, decided that they were going to ignore the regiment's request for the separation of these 3 midshipmen.
What does the regiment learn from all of this (based on observation)? We learn that we can STEAL a test answers, CHEAT on the test and LIE about cheating on the test. Even if we are found guilty, as long as we lawyer up, we will be okay. Those are the 3 CORE components of our Honor Code for those of you who do not know. Life is not fair, but is this the right way for us to learn that lesson?
If it was not for the fact that this whole thing went down during finals week, I believe that the regiment would be in much more of an uproar.
While the gender of the 3 midshipman may not have officially played a role in the decision of the Administration to overturn the case, it most certainly comes off that way to us Midshipmen. Perception is reality. It is a widely held belief (based on honor cases such as this) that what a male can get away with at this school and what a female can get away with are two very different things. Call me sexist or whatever you want, I am just merely saying how this all comes off to us mids.
While I can only speak for myself, I can say that I have discussed this matter with other midshipmen and this is how we see it:
3 midshipmen were accused of breaking into a teacher’s office, stole the test (either by taking a picture of it, copying the answers down or other) and used their illegally gained information on the test.
These girls were brought forward on charges, and the whole matter went to the honor board. The honor board did an investigation, held a trial and despite both sides presenting weak cases, the 3 girls were found guilty of violating the honor code. All midshipmen know that the Honor Board decision is not legally binding. Midshipmen are selected to represent the regiment of midshipmen and in their opinion, the three girls were found guilty of violating the honor code. Since the jury members represent the opinion of the regiment, the regiment of midshipmen essentially told the Administration that:
"We believe that these 3 midshipmen have violated the Honor code and should no longer be a part of the regiment."
The Administration, for whatever reason they want to give, decided that they were going to ignore the regiment's request for the separation of these 3 midshipmen.
What does the regiment learn from all of this (based on observation)? We learn that we can STEAL a test answers, CHEAT on the test and LIE about cheating on the test. Even if we are found guilty, as long as we lawyer up, we will be okay. Those are the 3 CORE components of our Honor Code for those of you who do not know. Life is not fair, but is this the right way for us to learn that lesson?
If it was not for the fact that this whole thing went down during finals week, I believe that the regiment would be in much more of an uproar.