Judicial Affairs Adjudication of Honor Code Violations

 Adjudication

Violations of the University Conduct Code may be academic or non-academic in nature.

Academic violations:

If a student has allegedly violated the University Honor Code, the instructor will meet with the student to discuss the alleged violation. During this conference the instructor concludes that the violations have merit  the instructor may do any of the following:

  1. Adjudicate the case directly with the student;
  2. Refer the case to the University Honor Court through the Judicial Affairs Department;
  3. Allow the student to choose between the two options.

Before meeting with the student, the instructor will check the student’s record with the Office of Student Life to determine if there are any previous violations of the Honor Code.  Typically, if there are no prior Honor Code violations the student and instructor will adjudicate the case between themselves.  However, if the instructor finds that the student does have prior Honor Code violations, the case will be referred directly to the University Honor Court.

The following conditions apply:

  • prior sanctions should not be imposed if the case is assigned to the University Honor Court;
  • cases must be assigned to the University Honor Court where it is believed that sanctions greater than failure in the course should be considered;
  • by assigning a case to the University Honor Court, the instructor simultaneously assigns to the Court the right to impose the full range of sanctions delineated below.
Any potential charges of the University Honor Code that are referred to the University Honor Court will meet with a member of the Judicial Affairs Department to have the Honor Court process explained to them. To read more about the Honor Court appeal process, follow this link: Appeal process

 

Non-academic Violations:

In cases involving non-academic violations of the University Honor Code, the dean of students may (1) adjudicate the case directly, (2) assign the case to the University Honor Court, or (3) allow you to choose between the two options. Ordinarily the case will be assigned directly to the University Honor Court if prior sanctions have imposed for violations of the University Honor Code.

 

Sanctions

The following sanctions ordinarily shall be imposed for violations of the University Honor Code, mainly with academic violations, with the understanding that where extenuating circumstances exist, sanctions may be probated.  Sanctions may be imposed by the instructor, Judicial Affairs Department or Honor Court.

 

First Violation:

As a minimum, a student who violates the University Honor Code shall receive the grade zero (0) on the assignment; as a maximum, the student shall receive an F in the course.

 

Second Violation:

As a minimum, a student who violates the University Honor Code shall receive the grade F in the course and shall be suspended for a minimum of 9 days; as a maximum, the student shall be suspended for the semester. In the event that the student is suspended for the semester, (s)he shall receive the grade F in the course where the infraction occurred. In other courses, the student shall receive the mark which is appropriate at the time of the withdrawal (W, WP, WF).

 

Non-Academic Violations:

Where violations of the University Honor Code are non-academic in nature, the possible sanctions shall be the same as those which may be imposed for violations of the University Code of Conduct.