Discussing the Honor Code, including plagiarism and collaboration, in your syllabus is an excellent way to communicate your standards and those of the University to your students. Informing students of additional resources such as the Writing Center and the Learning Center can also serve to prevent violations. For suggestions on what to include in your syllabus, please refer to Honor in the Syllabus.
In some instances, it can be unclear whether a violation has occurred or what response is appropriate. If at any time you have questions about a particular situation, we encourage you to contact us so that we may assist you. You may contact the Judicial Programs Officer (966-4042) or the Honor System Office (966-4084).
No. Faculty Council policy (Faculty Council Resolution 2003-5) requires that suspected violations of the Honor Code be reported to the appropriate Student Attorney General. Faculty members are not permitted to take unilateral punitive action in lieu of reporting the conduct to the Honor System. However, in academic cases, faculty members are permitted to provide recommendations as to the appropriate sanction.
Plagiarism is defined as the “deliberate or reckless representation of another’s words, thoughts, or ideas as one’s own without attribution in connection with submission of academic work, whether graded or otherwise.” (Instrument, Section II.B.1.)
The length of an Honor Court case may vary depending on a number of factors, including when the report is received, the plea to be entered by the student, the number of pending cases, the availability of witnesses, and whether or not the original hearing is appealed. In general, however, it is the goal of the Honor System for every case to be resolved as quickly as fairness permits. Consistent with the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance, a charge decision is typically made by the Student Attorney General within 30 days of the initial report and a hearing date is established shortly thereafter. If you have questions regarding where in the process a case stands, please contact the Honor System Office (966-4084) or the Judicial Programs Officer (966-4042).
After reporting a violation, the Student Attorney General or his/her designee will likely need to speak with you to gather more information about the circumstances of the case so that a proper charge decision can be made. If the student is charged with a violation of the Honor Code, then you may be asked to participate in a hearing before the Honor Court. During this hearing, the student counsels assigned to the case and the members of the Honor Court may have questions as they seek to establish the facts of the case. In many cases, the accused student will elect to plead guilty. In such cases, it may not be necessary for you to attend the hearing.
Effective prevention of academic misconduct relies on regular promotion of the Honor Code and consistent enforcement of academic integrity. You can assist in a number of ways, such as including the Honor Code in your class syllabus, emphasizing the Honor Code and principles of academic integrity on the first day of class and before exams, requiring that the Honor Pledge be included with all academic work, and employing reasonable measures to reduce opportunities for misconduct. Appendices A and B to the Instrument (available at http://instrument.unc.edu) contain multiple suggestions for integrating the Honor Code into the classroom.
For an initial instance of academic dishonesty,
...i. The usual sanction for grade-related misconduct shall be a failing grade in the course, an aspect or component of a course, or on the assignment as recommended by the instructor, and suspension for one full academic semester or until specified conditions are met.
...ii. The minimum sanction for grade-related misconduct shall be a failing grade in the course, component or aspect of the course, or on the assignment as recommended by the instructor; probation for at least one full academic semester; an additional educational assignment or other requirements as appropriate; and a written warning that further academic misconduct will lead to more serious sanctions.
Instrument, Section III.D.2.a.
You are not required to meet with a student before reporting a suspected violation. However, there may be instances where speaking with the student in advance will provide further relevant information about the incident. Appendix B to the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance (available at http://instrument.unc.edu) was adopted by the Faculty Council and has considerable information relating to the responsibilities of faculty members in the judicial process. It is important to note that meeting with a student is not a substitute for reporting a suspected violation.
Academic violations can be reported at http://honor.unc.edu under the "Helpful Links" menu on the right hand side of the website. Faculty members will need their Onyen and password to enter the reporting site. If you experience any difficulty with the online reporting process, you may also submit reports directly to the Honor System office at the following address:
Judicial Programs Assistant
Suite 0103, SASB North
CB# 5100
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-5100
Phone: 962-0759
Email: jpa@email.unc.edu
In academic cases, the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance expressly provides that the reporting party may make a binding recommendation to the Honor Court as to the grade penalty. A faculty member may also make a non-binding recommendation as to the penalty of record (i.e., suspension or probation). Many faculty members elect to make no recommendation, preferring that the Honor Court determine the sanction based on the information presented at the hearing. Any questions relating to sanction recommendations can be directed to the Investigative counsel assigned to the case, the Student Attorney General (966-4084), or the Judicial Programs Officer (966-4042).
If grades are to be reported to the University Registrar before an Honor Court case is resolved, a grade of “NG” (representing no grade) should be reported. In addition, please note on the grade report form that the "NG" relates to a pending Honor Court case. At the conclusion of the case, you will be notified of the grade sanction, if any, and a correct final grade for the course can be submitted to the University Registrar. If the sanction is a failing grade in the course, then that grade will be submitted by the Office of the Dean of Students.
Once a final decision of suspension has been rendered, the student is officially withdrawn from classes for the term in which the suspension applies. The Judicial Programs Officer will provide this information to the University Registrar. If the student is an on-campus resident, he/she will be required to move out of the residence hall within 96 hours of the final decision. In some instances, suspended students may be entitled to receive a partial refund of tuition and fees. The amount of this refund will be determined by the Office of Student Accounts and University Receivables (formerly the Cashier’s Office) after the suspension has been processed by the University Registrar.
If a student is suspended for a Fall or Spring term (not applicable to suspensions applied to summer sessions), it will be necessary for the student to apply for readmission to the University. Undergraduate students should complete a readmission application. The number to call to receive an application for readmission is 966-3621; it is also available on-line at http://admissions.unc.edu/applying/readmission.htm. Courses taken at another institution while a sanction of suspension is active cannot be transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill.
In some instances, the Honor Court may require that a student found guilty on an Honor Code violation attend the Honor & Success at Carolina class. This is a not-for-credit class, lasting anywhere from two to five weeks, which focuses on ethics, campus resources, and techniques for achieving academic success. Through discussion, case studies, and review of the Honor Code, students will have an opportunity to learn more about the Honor System and develop strategies for avoiding further disciplinary action.
A student may appeal the decision of the Honor Court on one or more of the following grounds: (1) insufficiency of the evidence, (2) a violation of basic rights, and (3) the severity of the sanction. More information regarding these appeal grounds, as well as the appellate process, can be found in Section I of Appendix C to the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance. In order to appeal, a student must submit a written appeal petition within five business days of when the student is provided with the rationale statement of the Honor Court explaining its decision. Appeals are heard by the University Hearings Board, a five-member panel consisting of two students, two faculty members, and a chairperson (either faculty member or administrator).
The length of the Honor Court process may be dependent upon a number of factors, including when the violation is reported, the nature of the alleged violation, the availability of witnesses, procedural requirements, and whether the violation is also the subject of a concurrent criminal court case. The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance prescribes several timeframes in order to ensure due process. Where appropriate, and with the consent of the accused student, these timeframes may be shortened. A student can assist in advancing his/her case promptly by responding timely to notices received from the Honor System and cooperating in the collection of evidence for use in the Honor Court hearing.
The Honor System does not employ a plea bargain process and a student’s decision to plead guilty does not assure that they will receive a lesser sanction. The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance does instruct that among the relevant factors the Court should consider when determining an appropriate sanction is “the value of learning through experience so as to develop a greater sense of responsibility for one’s actions and their consequences to others.”
Among the rights guaranteed to all students is “[t]he right to have an alleged offense proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance defines “beyond a reasonable doubt” as “a doubt that is based upon reason and common sense after careful and impartial consideration of all evidence, and does not mean a mere ‘shadow of a doubt’ or any conceivable doubt.”
The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance establishes a broad range of sanctions that may be used alone or in conjunction with one another as determined by the Honor Court on the facts of the individual case. These sanctions range from a written warning to expulsion from the UNC System. The most commonly used sanctions are disciplinary probation, suspension, and community service. Some types of offenses, including academic misconduct and driving while impaired, have usual and minimum sanctions as set forth in the Instrument. No one prior to a hearing can predict with certainty what sanction will be imposed in a given case. Any sanction imposed by the Honor Court will depend upon numerous factors, including the gravity of the offense, equitable treatment for similar offenses, and other compelling circumstances.
The accused student, assisted by a student defense counsel, is responsible for gathering and presenting any and all evidence that may be relevant to determining an appropriate sanction. Such evidence may include documentation of financial aid, involvement with campus organizations or activities, and medical or insurance information. It is important that all relevant information be presented to the Honor Court as part of the original hearing, as new sanctioning evidence cannot be added during an appeal.
Additional information regarding available sanctions and the factors used by the Honor Court in determining a sanction can be found in Section III. of the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance.
In cases where a sanction is imposed by the Honor Court, the Office of the Dean of Students maintains a disciplinary record for a period of ten years. Thereafter, the record is destroyed. This record is separate from a student’s academic records and is not part of the student’s transcript. In cases where the student where the student is alleged to have committed a violation, but is not charged, or where the Honor Court finds the student not guilty, no disciplinary records are maintained.
Yes. Until a review of the facts and circumstances of your case can be completed, it is important that you continue attending class. It should also be noted that dropping or withdrawing from a course does not prevent an Honor Court case from going forward.
There are numerous reasons why Honor Code violations occur. In academic cases, violations often result from poor time management, poor class preparation, a lack of understanding of the instructor’s expectations, or even a sense of being overwhelmed. In conduct cases, many violations are attributable to bad choices concerning the use of alcohol or other impairing substances. Asking questions, seeking clarification when assignments are unclear, and being conscious of the consequences that may result from individual choices are just a few of the ways that students can avoid Honor Code violations.
Carolina students are expected to refrain from lying, cheating, and stealing. In addition, students agree to refrain from conduct that impairs the safety and welfare of the University or members of the University community, of which affects the integrity of the University. In upholding these principles, the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance establishes a wide range of offenses. (For a complete list, [link, Section II. Offenses Under the Honor Code]). The Honor Code applies to all academic work and applies to all conduct where University interests are implicated, whether than conduct occurs on or off campus.
In order to protect confidential student records, Honor Court hearings are generally closed to the public, including parents, friends, and other parties. An accused student may request an open hearing, but in such cases access would be permitted to any interested party, including members of the media.
Disciplinary cases are governed by various confidentiality statutes and policies. As a result, the best resource for information is your student. Under appropriate circumstances, the Student Attorney General and/or the Judicial Programs Officer may be able to provide information about an individual case. General questions about the Honor System process, possible violations, and potential sanctions may be answered by reference to the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance.
Parents can play a critical role in talking with their student about the importance of the Honor Code, as well as communicating their own expectations. Students routinely report that parents remain one of their biggest influences throughout their college experience. Discussing academic integrity and honorable conduct can be instrumental in preventing Honor Code violations and promoting sound decision-making skills.
It is never easy to learn that your student may have violated the Honor Code. However, you can assist your student by simply being available to discuss the violation, the Honor System process, and the potential consequences. Ask questions of your student and encourage them to make and keep appointments with representatives of the Honor System who will assist them. You can also encourage your student to be an active participant in their own case, by asking questions, gathering necessary information, and preparing for their hearing. Learning about the Honor System process through this website and by reviewing the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance will also help your student.
