J.A. office investigated more cases, fewer defendants

Cornell officials investigated more cases of campus misconduct in 1998-99 compared with the previous year, but those cases involved fewer defendants.

University officials opened 401 new cases of campus misconduct in 1998-99, according to a report issued recently.

The annual report from the Office of the Judicial Administrator showed that between July 1, 1998, and June 30, 1999, the office handled 401 new cases involving 555 potential defendants. That compares with 387 new cases and 571 defendants in 1997-98, for a 3.6 percent increase in cases and a 2.8 percent decrease in defendants. The highest number of cases ever reported was in 1995-96, at 497, with 596 defendants.

The J.A.'s office also closed 374 cases.

The difference between the number of defendants and the number of cases during 1998-99 was due to the number of cases -- seven -- involving five or more defendants, said Linda Falkson, associate judicial administrator.

"This was another busy year in the judicial administrator's office," Falkson said. "The J.A.'s office seeks to safeguard the primary purpose of the university, namely the education of our students. In that regard, we are pleased to participate in educational initiatives such as reshaping the environment in which students make alcohol-related choices as well as the enforcement of university policies regarding conduct."

The 401 cases fell quite evenly between five of the seven categories (other, alcohol/drug, noncompliance, fraud and injury), with two other categories (damage and theft) containing significantly fewer referrals, according to the report. The number of theft cases has dropped considerably, from 129 in 1996-97, then to 75 in 1997-98 and to 31 in 1998-99. (See accompanying chart for a breakdown of cases by violation category.)

The office issued 391 written reprimands during 1998-99, with many of those including other penalties such as community service. In 48 cases, the penalty was an oral warning. For 108 alleged violations, the office took no action. Typically this was because the office lacked jurisdiction (70 cases) or there was insufficient evidence (24 cases).

Community service was the most frequently assessed penalty. The defendants were assessed 8,262 hours of community service, with 2,362 hours suspended, as a deterrent to future conduct and for mitigating circumstances.

Restitution of $5,948.93 was required to be paid.

Read some 1998-99 case summaries from the CU campus judicial system