Important Information for Faculty:

The Honor System Constitution requires that suspected violations of the Honor Code must be reported to the Undergradute Honor System within 30 class days from the date of discovery. "Class Days" are understood to be Fall and Spring semester days, excluding weekends and holidays where the university is closed, as well as Reading Day and Exam Weeks. For example: a suspected violation discovered on the last day of exams of a Spring semester my be reported well into the following Fall semester as the "30 Day Rule" doesn't begin until the first day of classes for the following Fall semester.
What if I Report a Violation?
Once a violation has been reported to the Honor System, the Chief Justice will assign the case to an Associate Justice who will conduct the investigation. The Associate Justice, or AJ, will be in contact with the accused student as well as the person who reported the alleged violation. Here are some things that will help the AJ with the investigation:
  • First, grade the paper, test, or assignment as if there was no suspicion of a violation of the Honor Code. In cases of extreme plagiarism, we recommend that you assign a temporary "no grade" and explain that the paper must be turned in to the Honor System.
  • Provide a full statement to the Honor System concerning the alleged violation. Provide the date, time, location, and any other relevant circumstances you observed that relates to the alleged violation.

  • Please provide the Honor System the original assignment in question; return a copy of the assignment, quiz, or test in question to the student.

  • Provide the Honor System copies of the same assignment chosen at random from other students in the class to be used as comparison evidence.

  • Please remember that the alleged violation is a matter to be held in the strictest of confidence; do not discuss the violation with people not associated with the Honor System. If you need guidance from your department's administration, remember that all information that could be used to identify the student or students in question must be kept in the strictest of confidence.

Those who report Honor Code violations have specific rights and obligations accorded them by the Honor System Constitution:

  1. To decline to discuss the case with the accused, though discussion confined to the specification of charges is permitted;

  2. With the written permission of the accused, to have witnesses present when talking with the accused about the alleged violation;

  3. To receive a copy of the Case Coordinator's Report summarizing the evidence in the case;

  4. To be present at the Judicial Panel

  5. To be advised by any member of the university community;

  6. To receieve a written summary of the decision of the Judicial Panel or the Provost with respect to verdict; and,

  7. To be secure in person and property as specified in The University Policies for Student Life.

A person bringing charges of an Honor Code violation against another shall accept the following obligations:

  1. To cooperate with the Associate Justice and other Honor System personnel;

  2. To appear at the Judicial Panel; and,

  3. To maintain confidentiality in all matter pertaining to the case.