The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUndergraduate Honor System

Overview of the Undergraduate Honor System

September 27, 2011

Jonathan SaulsDean of Students

“Blueprint”

• Overview of Honor at Carolina• Honor Code violations• Sanctions • Prevention• The Honor System process• Resources

“Blueprint”

Overview of Honor at Carolina• Honor Code violations• Sanctions • Prevention• The Honor System process• Resources

Overview – Student self-governance

The Dialectic and Philanthropic govern the conduct of their student members, forming an unsanctioned system of student judicial governance.

These student societies guarantee theproper conduct of members and turnover any member who violates University policy to the faculty.

The University officially relinquishes all academic and social misconduct to the discipline of the students.

1795

1830s

1875

Overview – Student self-governance

The Student Council is formed of class officers.

1906

1946The first student Constitution is establishedand five official student courts are sanctioned.

1974The Instrument of Student JudicialGovernance is drafted.

July 1st, 2003The revision of the Instrument of Student Judicial Governance goes into effect.

Overview – The Instrument

The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance sets forth the goals and standards used in promoting and upholding academic integrity at UNC.

The Instrument includes the Honor Code and establishes the Student Judicial System which processes allegations of student misconduct.

The Instrument relies on the commitment of students, faculty, and staff and each group is given express responsibilities.

Overview – Student Responsibilities

Conduct all academic work within the letter and spirit of the Honor Code

Consult with faculty to clarify the meaning of plagiarism and to learn appropriate methods of citation

Sign a pledge on all graded academic work certifying that no unauthorized assistance was given or received on the work

Comply with faculty requirements designed to reduce the possibility of cheating

Maintain the confidentiality of examinations

Students are Expected To:

Overview – Faculty Responsibilities

I. Awareness

- Faculty should be aware of the UNC Honor System to assure that campus-wide expectations regarding academic integrity can be communicated effectively to students

The Instrument sets forth four main responsibilities for faculty members:

II. Communicating Expectations and Administering Exams

- Set forth clear expectations in syllabi and class discussions

- Require students to sign the Honor Pledge

- Take reasonable steps to reduce the possibility of cheating

Overview – Faculty Responsibilities

III. Oversight

- Report suspected misconduct to the Honor System

- In the instructor’s discretion, notify the student of the intention to report suspected academic dishonesty and permit the student to provide relevant further information

- Refrain from taking unilateral punitive action rather than reporting the suspected violation

IV. Involvement

- Cooperate with members of the Student Judicial System in conducting investigations and participating in Honor Court hearings as necessary

- Participate in campus-wide and classroom efforts to promote academic integrity

Overview – Structure of UNC Honor System

OUTREACH• Organizes campus events• Coordinates outreach efforts of the SAG and Honor Court

ATTORNEY GENERAL AND STAFF• SAG reviews all reports received and determines whether Honor Code charges will be brought• Staff serves as counsels in hearings

HONOR COURT• Board charged with hearing all Honor Code charges• Determines judgment and sanction

UndergraduateHonor System

“Blueprint”

• Overview of Honor at Carolina Honor Code violations• Sanctions • Prevention• The Honor System process• Resources

UNC HONOR CODE(Instrument of Student Judicial Governance)

CONDUCT

Fighting

Hazing

Driving under the influence

Drug possession

Honor Code violations

ACADEMIC

Plagiarism

Fabrication of data

Unauthorized collaboration

Cheating on examinations

ACADEMIC VIOLATIONS

Honor Code violations – Academic

II.B.1. Plagiarism: the deliberate or reckless representation of another’s words, thoughts, or ideas without attribution

II.B.2. Falsification or fabrication of data

II.B.3. Unauthorized assistance or collaboration

II.B.4. Cheating on examinations

II.B.5. Violating procedures pertaining to the academic process (e.g., changing answers on an assignment and submitting for a regrade)

“Blueprint”

• Overview of the Honor System• Honor Code violations Sanctions • Prevention• The Honor System process• Resources

Sanctions

Penalty of record

The grade

Additional sanctionsDetermining an appropriate sanction…

Sanctions – Penalty of record

One semester of probation

Extended duration of probation

One semester of suspension

Extended duration of suspension

Permanent suspension

Expulsion

Penalty of record

The grade

Additional sanctions

Sanctions – Penalty of record

One semester of probation

Extended duration of probation

One semester of suspension

Extended duration of suspension

Permanent suspension

Expulsion

Penalty of record

The grade

Additional sanctions

The minimum sanction for academic cases

Sanctions – Penalty of record

One semester of probation

Extended duration of probation

One semester of suspension

Extended duration of suspension

Permanent suspension

Expulsion

Penalty of record

The grade

Additional sanctions

The “usual” sanction for academic cases

Sanctions – The grade

Penalty of record

The grade

Additional sanctions

The grade is determined by the instructor, unless the instructor defers to the court.

An instructor may recommend a failing grade in the course or a failing grade on

the assignment.

At a the very minimum, the student must receive a failing grade on one component

of the course.

Sanctions – Additional sanctions

Penalty of record

The grade

Additional sanctions

Additions that aid the educational aspect of a student’s sanction.

Completing the assignment properly

Writing a reflection paper

Time management exercises

Loss of privileges

“Blueprint”

• Overview of the Honor System• Honor Code violations• Sanctions Prevention• The Honor System process• Resources

Prevention – What you can do

Don McCabe, a renowned researcher in the field of academic integrity on university campuses, claims that two factors affect the academic climate more than any other…

Talk about honor and integrity

Prevention – What you can do

1) The existence of an Honor Code

2) Faculty who discuss the Honor Code and how it applies to their

course

Prevention – What you can do

• Discuss your professional code of ethics in order to help students understand that class expectations match “real world” expectations

• Be sure to include the Honor Code in your syllabus; point it out and discuss it with the class

• Remind students before exams

• Invite us into the classroom

• Direct students to the Honor System website

Recommendations

Prevention – What you can do

• Note the importance of academic integrity in all work• Openly discuss your expectations with students

• Confront suspicious behavior, identifying those involved• Have students sign the Honor Pledge• Encourage students to seek assistance or clarification• Always document your observations re: misconduct• Take reasonable precautions when giving exams• Inspire, encourage, and model academic integrity• Never allow cell phones/pagers during exams• Give students clear instruction on what is not permitted

Ten Tips for Preventing Academic Misconduct

“Blueprint”

• Overview of Honor at Carolina• Honor Code violations• Sanctions • Prevention The Honor System process• Resources

The Honor System process

Faculty member suspects a violation has occurred

Report the violation online at http://honor.unc.edu& make any desired recommendations for sanctions

We recommend meeting with the student to discuss the reasons for the suspicions

Student Attorney General will determine if there is sufficient evidence to send case to Honor Court

Faculty member may be contacted by the Student Attorney General who may seek additional information

If charged, the Faculty member may be contacted by the investigative counsel to prepare for the

hearing

The Honor System process

Depending on the accused student’s plea, you may not need to be present for the hearing.

Note: A reporting faculty member may always choose to be present

Any appeal is heard by the University Hearings Board, composed of three faculty/staff and two students

The Faculty member will be contacted by the Honor Court concerning the outcome of the student’s hearing

Limited right to an additional appeal to the Chancellor

In the case of a not guilty plea, required standard of proof is guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Blueprint”

• Overview of the Honor System• Honor Code violations• Sanctions • Prevention• The Honor System process Resources

Resources – where to get information

honor.unc.edu

Dean of Students Office966-4042

The Honor System966-4084