The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Undergraduate Honor System

Overview of the Undergraduate Honor System September 27, 2011 Jonathan Sauls Dean 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 the proper conduct of members and turn over any member who violates University policy to the faculty. The University officially relinquishes all academic and social misconduct to the discipline of the students s 1875

Overview – Student self-governance The Student Council is formed of class officers The first student Constitution is established and five official student courts are sanctioned The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance is drafted. July 1 st, 2003 The 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 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 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 HONOR COURT Board charged with hearing all Honor Code charges Determines judgment and sanction Undergraduate Honor 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) 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 sanctions Determining 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 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 N ote the importance of academic integrity in all work O penly discuss your expectations with students C onfront suspicious behavior, identifying those involved H ave students sign the Honor Pledge E ncourage students to seek assistance or clarification A lways document your observations re: misconduct T ake reasonable precautions when giving exams I nspire, encourage, and model academic integrity N ever allow cell phones/pagers during exams G ive students clear instruction on what is not permitted N ote the importance of academic integrity in all work O penly discuss your expectations with students C onfront suspicious behavior, identifying those involved H ave students sign the Honor Pledge E ncourage students to seek assistance or clarification A lways document your observations re: misconduct T ake reasonable precautions when giving exams I nspire, encourage, and model academic integrity N ever allow cell phones/pagers during exams G ive 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 & 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 ChancellorIn 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 Office Dean of Students Office The Honor System The Honor System