How do I report an Honor Code violation?

Send an email to Honor Council Chair Alexa Fults at honorcouncil@sewanee.edu or to any other Honor Council member, or to Dean Bruce. Please understand that when you give a name to any Honor Council member, he or she is required to bring it forward to an investigation.

Is it a violation of the Honor Code to not report cheating?

Yes. As stated in Resolution 3 of the Honor Code, failure to report academic dishonesty is a violation.

Are there any requirements about when I report a violation?

Yes. A violation must be reported within 120 hours after being detected.

Will I be sent to the Honor Council if I am involved with a violation of campus drug/ alcohol policy?

No. The Honor Code only applies to lying, cheating, and stealing. A Dean of Students or a discipline committee will handle all other disciplinary violations outside of the Honor Code.

What will be my role if I report a violation? Will I remain anonymous?

For the fairness of the hearing and for the accused student you will not remain anonymous. You will be required to testify to both a member of the Honor Council conducting the investigation and to the full Honor Council at a formal hearing. This is an opportunity for the Honor Council and accused student to ask questions in order to get a clear picture of the suspected violation.

Do faculty members serve on the Honor Council?

No. The Honor System is entirely student-run. However, the Vice-Chancellor, if appealed to, has the authority to reverse a decision of the Council for a particular case. Additionally the Associate Dean of the College is the faculty advisor for the Council.

What rights do I have if I am appearing before the Honor Council?

Outlined in the Rules for the Honor Council, you have the right to:

  • appoint a representative for yourself (student, faculty, or staff member) who will assist you at your hearing;
  • a maximum of 5 guests to be at your hearing without participation in the proceedings;
  • remain silent throughout the hearing/ investigative process;
  • appeal the Honor Council’s decisions to the Vice-Chancellor;
  • request a recess during a hearing.
What is the role of the Executive Committee of the Honor Council?

Led by the Honor Council Chair and also comprised of the Vice-Chair and Secretary, the Executive Committee is the central administrative body of the Honor Council. Primarily the Committee’s task is to meet with each suspected student and determine if there is sufficient evidence of an Honor Code violation to move to a full hearing before all members of the Honor Council.

What are the penalties for violating the Code?

Given the range of possible behavior, the Honor Code does not attempt to outline absolute, codified penalties for specific offenses. Still, there are some predictable outcomes. Academic offenses result in failure of the course(s) in question as well as suspension, though the length of suspension may be considered. (Students should note that suspensions are for full academic semesters--Advent and/or Easter semesters--and will always include any tangential summer term.) Non-academic offenses may also result in suspension, but the Council may also, as appropriate, apply lesser penalties (such as honor probation, restitution, work hours, apologies, etc.).