Judicial Process for Honor Code Violations
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FIRST OFFENSE
Student Agrees to Faculty Sanction
If a faculty member believes that a student has violated the Student Honor Code, the faculty member should talk to the student with his/her suspicions and listen to the student's account of the incident. The student and faculty member may have a support person or observer attend this meeting. Once the student is told of a possible academic honesty violation, he/she is not allowed to drop that class. If the student and faculty member reach an agreement to accepting responsibility, 1) the grade penalty to be imposed (reduced or failing grade for assignment or course) and 2) educational sanction.
A Faculty Adjudication Form should be completed and forwarded to Student Judicial Affairs, 202 Peabody Hall. This results in a student disciplinary file for the student as a violation of the Student Honor Code.
Download the Faculty Adjudication Form
Student Does Not Agree to Faculty Sanction
In cases where the student and faculty member cannot agree on the matter of responsibility and/or grade penalty, the case is referred to Student Judicial Affairs. A Faculty Adjudication Form should be completed by both parties and forwarded to Student Judicial Affairs, 202 Peabody Hall. The faculty member may also refer first offenses to Student Judicial Affairs if it appears that the severity of the offense in question warrants conduct probation, suspension or possible expulsion of the accused student. The student should make an appointment with a hearing officer of the Student Judicial Affairs Office within forty-eight hours after signing the Faculty Adjudication Form. The hearing officer will meet with the student and advise him/her of available options. The student may choose a hearing before the Student Conduct Committee or Student Honor Court to resolve the situation. Typical sanctions for first violations include a grade penalty, reprimand, conduct probation or suspension and an educational sanction. Being found responsible for an academic honesty violation results in a disciplinary file for the student.
Due Process Rights
Any student facing possible disciplinary action is entitled to the following procedural rights:
- The right to be notified in writing of the charges against him/her.
- The right to question adverse witnesses, unless waived for an informal proceeding.
- The right to know the nature and source of the evidence which will be used by the University.
- The right to present evidence and witnesses relevant to his/her defense, unless waived for an informal proceeding
- The right to freedom against compulsory self-incrimination
- The right to appear with an advisor at the hearing.
Student Conduct Committee *
The Student Conduct Committee is a committee of students and faculty which hears the case presented in a formal but non-adversarial process. Students may choose to have an advisor assist them in the process. The hearing involves the presentation of witness testimony, the presentation of testimony by the accused student, and the questioning of all parties involved. Any recommended decisions and sanctions are forwarded by the Committee to the Dean of Students. An appeal to the Vice President for Student Affairs is possible.
Student Honor Court *
The Student Honor Court is a courtroom proceeding in front of a jury where law students serve in the roles of Attorney General and Defense Staff. The student is represented by members of the Defense Staff. Juries are selected from a panel of qualified university students and Associate Justices elected from each college. The jury decides whether or not the student is responsible for the violation. If the student is found responsible, the chancellor and two associate justices recommend a sanction to the Dean of Students. The decision can be appealed to the Vice President for Student Affairs.
SUBSEQUENT VIOLATIONS
All subsequent academic honesty offenses will require a judicial hearing. The faculty member should send all original documentation and evidence on the case to Student Judicial Affairs, 202 Peabody Hall. Students found responsible for a second academic honesty violation will normally receive a suspension or expulsion from the University, a grade penalty, and other educational sanctions.
* Cases in the Health Center will be forwarded to the Student Health Center Conduct Standards Committee by Student Judicial Affairs. Cases in the College of Law will be heard by the Honor Code Committee or the Student Honor Court.