• The student judicial system is an administrative process designed to respond to allegations of student misconduct. While there are some similarities between the student judicial system and a court of law, the system is not a criminal court.
  
  
• The purpose of the system is to protect the academic process and the learning community and to uphold the values of academic and personal integrity. The system also strives to uphold the accused student’s right to due process.



• Upon enrollment at the College, all students, regardless of their status, agreed to uphold and abide by the Honor Code and Code of Conduct. This means that they agree to accept the consequences of their actions, should they violate a Code.



• The College places value in student self-governance. As a result, the system largely is operated by students with significant support from the administration. All sanctions are enacted by the Office of Student Affairs on behalf of the administration.

1. If you are unsure whether the situation needs to be reported, please consult with the Dean of Students or the Senior Vice-President for Student Affairs.
   
   
2. It is up to you whether you confront the student with your suspicions before notifying Student Affairs. You may ask the student for an explanation. Regardless of the student’s response, you are obligated to report possible violations.



3. Prepare a written report addressed to the Dean of Students explaining what led you to believe a violation occurred and include all relevant facts, attempts to contact the student and/or witnesses, secured evidence, etc.



4. Collect and make photocopies of all relevant documentary evidence and keep all originals. Grade the work in question as if no violation has occurred and retain the student’s earned grade until further notice. If the incident occurs at the end of a semester or summer session, a temporary grade of “I” should be entered on the grade report submitted to the Registrar until the case has been adjudicated.



5. Deliver (you may use e-mail) your letter of complaint to the Office of Student Affairs.



6. Often, someone in Student Affairs will contact you to review the complaint before making a decision whether to charge the student

An Honor Board hearing is scheduled when the accused and the accuser have completed their preparation of the evidence. Hearings generally are not open to the public. In addition to the Board members (3 students, 1 faculty member, 1 staff member), the accused and the accuser and their Honor advisors are present for all phases of the hearing except during the private deliberations of the Board. If you are the accuser you may be present for all phases except deliberations. You may be asked questions by the accused and the Board. If you are called to testify as a witness, you will be present for only your testimony. You may then be asked questions by the accuser, Board members and the accused. Any questions that may be asked of you, by the Board, are designed to help the Board in its effort to discern the truth. It is important for you to know that, although we will make every reasonable effort to minimize impositions on your time, you will need to give the time necessary for the process to work. Before a sanction may be imposed, the Board must find the student in violation. The burden of proof is on the accuser, and proof of a violation of any Code by the accused must be by a preponderance of the evidence. This standard is not as stringent as proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The Board treats each case individually. It does not issue pre-determined sanctions for specific violations.

Following the hearing, the Office of Student Affairs will notify you of the results of the hearing, or the status of the case if the accused has filed for an appeal of the Board’s decision. If the decision is "in violation," and there is no appeal, the professor must report the grade of XF to the Registrar, in most cases. In cases handled directly by the professor (i.e., student's action due to ignorance or confusion and not deceit), it is recommended that professors seek departmental guidance as to an appropriate educational response.

• To inform students at the beginning of each course and at other appropriate times that the Honor Code, which prohibits giving or receiving unauthorized aid, is in effect. Where appropriate a clear definition of plagiarism and a reminder of its consequences should be presented, and the extent of permissible collaboration among students in fulfilling academic requirements should be carefully explained.



• To identify clearly in advance of any examination or other graded work the books, notes or other materials or aids which may be used; to inform students that materials or aids other than those identified cannot be used; and to require unauthorized materials or aids to be taken from the room or otherwise made inaccessible before the work is undertaken.



• You may require each student on all written work to sign a pledge, when appropriate, that the student has neither given nor received unauthorized aid.



• To take all reasonable steps consistent with physical classroom conditions--such as requiring students to sit in alternate seats--to reduce the possibility of cheating on graded work.



• To exercise caution in the preparation, duplication and security of examinations (including make-up examinations) to insure that students cannot gain improper advance knowledge of their contents.



• To avoid, when possible, reuse of instructor-prepared examinations, in whole and part, unless they are placed on reserve in the library or otherwise made available to all students.



• To exercise proper security in the distribution and collection of examination papers, and to be present in the classroom during an examination when the instructor believes that his/her presence is warranted or when circumstances, in her/his opinion, make his/her presence necessary.



• To report to the Office of Student Affairs any instance in which reasonable grounds exist to believe that a student has given or received unauthorized aid in graded work. When possible, consultation with the student should precede reporting. Private action as a sanction for academic dishonesty, including the assignment of a failing grade in the course or for the individual test/paper, is inconsistent with code policy and shall not be used in lieu of or in addition to a report of the incident.



• To cooperate with the Office of Student Affairs and the Honor Board in the investigation of any incident of alleged violation, including the giving of testimony when called upon.