Sounds interesting, what students were these ??. Reminds me of a publicly held 'conscience' vote years ago of some leading scientists of the day about whether 'cold fusion' was actually viable and whether the group should endorse further funds or research into it, but it was really just an appeal to authority scenario where the chair and most well known (respected??) guy automatically voted no and then sat staring at each other person in turn until they inevitably voted no as well. Peer review in action ....