GOOD NEWS. U of Kentucky is Rationale: Ditches Double Jeopardy, Adds Unanimity in TIX Cases
Students and faculty at the University of Kentucky will now adhere to a new set of regulations outlining the disciplinary proceedings in cases of alleged sexual assault and similar incidents. President Eli Capilouto announced that the university had officially finalized its awaited changes to Administrative Regulation 6:2. The president’s announcement is one that has been over a year in the making after the administration charged an ad hoc committee with the responsibility of addressing sexual assault on UK’s campus. Now, in cases of alleged sexual assault, the disciplinary panel must be unanimous in determining that a respondent is responsible of committing an infraction, according to the regulation. This means that all three members of the panel must agree. The “preponderance of evidence” will continue to be the standard by which members of the Sexual Misconduct Hearing Panel determine whether policy was violated by members of the UK community, meaning that more than 50 percent of evidence must point to a certain verdict for it to be enacted. The newest changes to AR 6:2 eliminated the possibility of a party in a sexual assault case of appealing a determination of “not responsible.” Now only a finding of “responsible” may be appealed, according to the regulation. “In this way, we are working to ensure due process for all parties involved,” said Jay Blanton.
kykernel.com By Jacob Eads thecollegefix.com By Greg Piper
