Students:
Honor Code ConcernHonor Code Concern
Students Preparing for an Honor Code Concern
We encourage you to see the Student Judicial Charter of 1997 that, among other things, outlines your rights and responsibilities in the judicial process.
Also:
- Contact the Judicial Advisor (650-725-2489) to schedule an appointment. In person is always preferable. However, if you are away from campus this can be a telephone conversation. The Judicial Advisor will review the evidence and the Charter with you.
- Save all of your work from the class (e.g., notes, research, other work, exams, etc.) as it may become important to you in your explanation.
- Write down everything you can remember about how, when and where you did the work in question. Memories fade. So before too much time passes you should make a record for yourself. Include information about witnesses (e.g., if the question is about an in class exam, where you sat, who sat around you, etc.).
Students typically write a statement about their position. Whether or not you are contesting that you violated the Honor Code the Office of Judicial Affairs wants to make you aware of some things you should consider including in your statement. Remember that every person's story is unique to his/her personal circumstances. Use information that is useful to you and appropriate to your situation. Disregard the rest. Keep in mind that if you submit your statement the reporting party will see it and it becomes part of your file. If your case is eventually forwarded to a Judicial Panel then they will receive a copy of your statement as well.
Statement in a Contested Case:
- Give a specific, detailed, factual account of how you did your work (or your account of what occurred during the alleged violation) in response to the specific concerns raised by the reporting party.
- Incorporate circumstances surrounding the event that are relevant to the facts and issues of the case.
- Indicate whether you are contesting the allegation because you disagree with the facts (and if the answer is yes, explain why).
- Indicate whether you are contesting the allegation on the basis that you do not believe your actions are an Honor Code (or, if applicable, Fundamental Standard) violation (and if the answer is yes, explain why).
- Offer any mitigating factors that should be considered while the Judicial Officer makes a decision about charging the case formally and/or a Judicial Panel makes its decision on a case that goes to a hearing.
- Offer an explanation or your thoughts about any aggravating factors raised by the reporting party or the Judicial Officer that should be considered while decisions are being contemplated.
More information on statements and hearings in contested cases.
Statement in an Uncontested Case:
- Give an explanation about what you did.
- Acknowledge why that behavior is a problem.
- Report what circumstances surrounded the situation and led you to take the action(s) you did.
- Tell what you have learned from the process.
- Explain how you would do things differently.
More information on statements and hearings in uncontested cases.
Statements in General:
Of course the statement you prepare is your own. So you get to decide what you want to say. However, the more information you provide in it, the easier it will be for everyone to understand the situation, and fewer questions will be asked of you. Many students ask Judicial Advisor and/or the Judicial Officer to review and offer feedback about statements. If you want that to be done for you, please submit your statement via e-mail, after discussing with the Judicial Officer a timely deadline for submission of a draft statement. If you do not want feedback, you should meet with the Judicial Advisor and the Judicial Officer before submitting any documents. Nevertheless, it may still be necessary for you to submit your statement in advance if your case goes to a hearing before a Judicial Panel. Please discuss this with the Judicial Officer so, again, the Office of Judicial Affairs can let you know the deadline for your statement. Remember that the Judicial Officer also needs to make sure enough time is allowed for hearing preparation within this Office.