If the single sanction was intended to put fear into University students, it worked. But by the same token, the single sanction also may make students less likely to turn in honor offenders. Potential accusers might feel that an honor offense they witnessed is not bad enough to warrant a student's expulsion from the University. In such a case, the single sanction has the opposite effect of the original intention. Not only did a student commit an honor offense, but a witness did not report the offense.
Professors often complain they alone turn students in for honor violations.
The single sanction system largely is the cause for this. There is a better way, similar to a plea bargain proceeding in the criminal justice system. Students could have the opportunity to meet with honor officials to discuss what evidence the officials have, as well as to hear the student's side, before a full trial gets underway. At this point in the honor process, students would have one last chance to admit guilt before going to trial, and thereby avoid expulsion. They still would be punished, but nothing as devastating as expulsion.