California State University, Stanislaus, has come to the attention of the national media following claims by anonymous students of unsupervised and unsubstantiated results of a survey, which was conducted as a course assignment and presented in court as part of the Scott Peterson murder case.

CSU, Stanislaus takes allegations of intellectual dishonesty and research impropriety seriously. The university also affirms that students and faculty have essential rights to due process and to privacy, which the campus is dedicated to upholding.

We must now emphasize how strongly we regard our responsibilities in this very serious matter, and how diligently we have worked -- and will continue to work -- to see this matter through to a fair and decisive resolution reflective of the excellence of our campus and our fine faculty, students, staff and administrators.

Our commitment to upholding the principles of due process requires our silence on many of the issues we are bound to investigate before reaching official conclusions.

Two strands of investigation are under way. One examines issues involving the faculty member and the second examines issues involving the students. Each investigation requires that we respect all parties' rights to due process. If the university determines that the faculty member is in noncompliance with policy, actions could include reprimand, demotion, suspension without pay or dismissal.

If a preponderance of evidence establishes a violation of the student code of conduct, the judicial affairs staff at the university meets with the student to establish an appropriate sanction that may include probation, suspension or expulsion.

Due process is a legal concept that undergirds our democracy. More often than not, it requires patience. A rush to judgment is a disservice to parties involved and to the community. We ask for the community's patience as we conduct our investigations.

Academic excellence, honesty and integrity are the concepts that underlie our academic mission. They are central to our history and are the underpinnings of the academic standards of CSU, Stanislaus. We will apply the high ethical values and standards we have embraced and pursued in our campus's 44-year history. We will continue to honor the impeccable research records and academic scholarship of our many outstanding faculty and students.

I assure you that the strong legacy of achievement and service that has been developed through the years by the faculty, students, staff, administrators, alumni, board members and community ambassadors of CSU, Stanislaus will characterize our approach to addressing the critical challenges before us. We hold the goals of public accountability and the restoration of public trust in high regard as we strive to balance the desire for swift results with the need to employ a deliberative process representative of the foundations of democracy.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and public service as we act to restore and expand the public trust. We maintain our commitment to the preservation of institutional integrity and the integrity of the 527 faculty on our campus who regularly conduct research in compliance with policies and procedures. We reaffirm our support and respect for students who adhere to academic honesty and ethical engagement in the intellectual community.

We are confident that our excellence will continue to illuminate the Central Valley and beyond.

Hughes is the president of California State University, Stanislaus.