Getting Involved!
Are you interested in becoming involved in the Undergraduate Honor System? We hope so! Why? Because you make it work!
Who Can Participate?
  • Any second semester student (or later) with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher and who has a "clean record" with the Honor System and Judicial Affairs and completes Panel Member Training;
  • Any Faculty Member who completes Panel Member Training.
Download and fill out an application available below. Submit this to the Undergraduate Honor System Office in 333 Squires Student Center.
Applications in PDF Format
Panel Member Training Session dates will be posted to the website and emailed to those who have submitted applications. You do not have to submit the application first; feel free to come to a training session first to learn more!
Why Should I Participate?
Definitely an interesting question. Many students feel that the Honor System is "working against" them in some way. Much to the contrary, the Honor System is an impartial body designated by the university to determine the truth in an alleged violation. By participating, you make this happen. The Honor System works with all parties involved, fairly and impartially.

Additionally, as a student, you should consider this: if a classmate cheats, plagiarizes, or falsifies a test, quiz, or other assignment and earns a better grade than you, and this behavior goes unreported and unpunished, that person DEVALUES your degree! It's true! Think about it. Then, get involved!
How Does It Work?
The Undergraduate Honor System works because of concerned students and faculty. Judicial Panels are not conducted by a standing committee; each panel is individually seated in order to maintain confidentiality, and to provide accused students a group of their peers for the evaluation of their case. Additionally, the Faculty of Virginia Tech are represented on this panel by a faculty panel member.

Both student and faculty panel members receive training by the Honor System. This training usually involves a presentation on the processes involved in the Honor System as well as training concerning hearing evidence and confidentiality. Once a member has been trained (and in the case of student members, other criteria has been verified), their names are placed on one of the Honor System listservs.
What Happens Before Panel?

After completing the investigation of an alleged violation, the Associate Justice schedules a Judicial Panel. At this point, the date, time, and location of the panel is distributed to the listservs for panel members. Panel members who wish to sit on a panel or panels then reply to the message and are placed on the panel member list for the panel for which they volunteered.

Shortly before the scheduled date of the panel, the Honor System sends an email reminder. On the day of the panel, the panel members arrive at the location approximately 15 minutes prior to panel.
What Happens IN a Panel?
A Judicial Panel involves FOUR student panel members and ONE faculty panel member. At this panel, the accused student(s) and the reporter provide statements and evidence upon which the Judicial Panel acts in accordance with the Honor System Constitution. The Associate Justice for the case(s) being heard is present to oversee and provide guidance to the panel.

Once all evidence is read into the record and the accuser and the accused make opening statements, the panel members ask questions pertinent to the charge and the evidence in order to determine the validity of the accusation. Once satisfied, the accuser and the accused are excused; then, the panel begins deliberations.

After the panel has deliberated, the panel votes to determine a guilty or not guilty verdict. The panel also recommends a classification for the offense if a guilty verdict is returned.

Panels can last 15 minutes or several hours depending on the type of case, the amount of evidence, the length of testimonies, and the length of deliberations.
What Are The Position Descriptions?

Student Panel Member:

  • Responsible for attending Judicial Panel hearings and asking pertinent questions to establish an accused's guilt or innocence.
  • Responsible for recommending sanctions in cases where guilt is determined.
  • Maintain complete confidentiality of all information and outcomes of all Judicial Panel proceedings.

Faculty Panel Member:

  • Responsible for attending Judicial Panel hearings and asking pertinent questions to establish an accused's guilt or innocence.
  • Responsible for recommending sanctions in cases where guilt is determined.
  • Maintain complete confidentiality of all information and outcomes of all Judicial Panel proceedings.
  • Serve as the representative of the Universtity Facutly at Judicial Panel hearings.

Faculty Counselor:

  • Responsible for providing assistance to accused students by explaining Honor System policies and procedures.
  • May attend the Judicial Panel/Appeals process with the accused student if the student so desires and the Counselor agrees.