Justice within Gettysburg College's Honor Code

We, the Gettysburg College Community, submit this request that you hereby expunge the academic record of Marisa Ann Rojas, in light of her conviction of a violation of the Honor Code, which was not conducted according to Gettysburg College and lawful democratic procedure, and has resulted in her expulsion.

According to the Honor Code, section 8.1(h), "The accused may challenge the presence of any member of the Honor Commission subject to the judgment of the Chair and prior to the beginning of the hearing." Marisa requested via email that a member of the Honor Commission, present in her Preliminary Hearing, be exempt from her official hearing. That request was not fulfilled, nor acknowledged, and the member was a presiding member of her Hearing Committee.

Marisa was assigned an advisor, as required by section 5.5 of the Honor Code, A Dean of Academic Advising shall be assigned as an advisor to the accused and may or may not be used. Marisa was assigned an advisor on Tuesday, November 24, the day before Thanksgiving break. On Wednesday, November 25, the Gettysburg College email server ceased to function until Sunday, November 29. Marisas hearing was on Monday, November 30. She was given no time, nor even any means of communication, to request assistance and be advised by her required and designated advisor.

During her official hearing, Marisa attempted to submit IT evidence in her favor for consideration, and this evidence was not admitted, though it could have resulted in her exoneration.

Marisa requested an appeal, on the basis of the procedural violations listed above as well as new IT and web-based evidence that could have shown she was innocent of all charges. Accompanying this appeal were numerous character testimonies from multiple previous and current professors. This appeal was denied on December 7 on the basis of insufficient evidence.

We hereby request that you expunge Marisa Rojas academic record, due to the violations of her rights as a student and as a citizen. We also urge you to investigate the procedure by which the Honor Commission deliberates. Members of the Honor Commission are charged with upholding the integrity of the Honor Code, as well as administering justice. We urge them to take this into consideration as they deliberate on future cases.