| Honor Council Rice University |
CONSTITUTION OF THE HONOR SYSTEM OF RICE UNIVERSITY
We, the Student Body of Rice University, in order to conduct our examination system under high standards of individual responsibility, thereby promoting a high sense of personal honor and integrity, set forth this Constitution of the Honor System.
THE HONOR SYSTEM
Article I. Principles
1. The Honor System is the means by which the protection of the examination system is assured by the Student Body (undergraduate and graduate).
2. Its purpose is to allow maximum freedom for students during examinations, in the writing of papers, and in the preparation of other academic projects; and at the same time to ensure the validity of these. When students accept this freedom, they are placed on their honor by the group not to cheat on an examination, paper, or other work designated by the instructor as covered, nor to violate the trust placed in them in any way; however it is the student's responsibility to determine through the instructor whether or not work is covered by the Honor System. The only limitations placed on this freedom are those rules made through the Honor Council for the best interest of the group. It is the obligation of the student or faculty member not to violate the system nor aid in any violation, and to report any violation seen or suspected.
3. The Student Body is directly responsible for the effective working of the Honor System. In order to uphold the validity of credits under the Honor System this group must take such steps as are necessary to protect itself from those who violate the trust placed in them. These measures will be carried out by an elected body known as the Honor Council. The Honor Council shall be responsible to the President of Rice University through the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs.
Article II. Pledge
1. The following pledge shall be signed at the end of all final examinations, hour quizzes, and other important projects on which the pledge is required by the instructor: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this (examination, quiz or paper)."
2. Each student upon entering Rice University must sign a matriculation pledge stating that he or she will support the Honor System. This pledge is set forth in the By-Laws and must be signed by the entering student before registration can be completed.
Article III. Examinations
1. Examinations will be conducted in accordance with the procedure which is outlined in Conduct of Examinations.
2. Students should report any violations of the examination rules to the Honor Council.
3. Any violation involving advanced degree requirements other than course work (i.e., language exams, theses, etc.) will be referred to the proper departmental chair.
Article IV. Amendments
l. Students should at any time bring before the Honor Council any suggestions concerning the rules and operations of the Honor System. The Honor Council must consider such suggestions promptly.
2. Proposed Honor System amendments originating from the Student Body must be placed on a petition and signed by twenty-five (25) students of eligible scholastic standing. Proposed amendments to the By-Laws, Conduct of Examinations, or Procedures of the Honor System will be passed by a three-fourths (3/4) majority of the Honor Council. All constitutional amendments must be approved by a three-fourths (3/4) majority of the Honor Council, a three-fourths (3/4) majority of the Graduate Student Association Council, and the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs in turn before they are presented to the undergraduate student body for a vote. Upon such approval, the constitutional amendments will be voted on in the next general election. The amendments shall go into effect immediately if passed by three-fourths (3/4) of the students voting.
3. In the case that the By-laws, Conduct of Examinations, or Procedures of the Honor System conflict with this Constitution, this Constitution will be taken to be binding.
THE HONOR COUNCIL
Article V. Purpose
The Honor Council, as provided for in the Honor System, shall be a representative body of students, elected annually by the Student Body. Its purpose shall be to administer and interpret the Honor System.
Article VI. Composition
1. The Honor Council shall be composed of at least twenty six members: four to ten representatives from the full-time graduate class, nine college representatives and thirteen undergraduate class and student body at-large representatives. The selection process for the graduate student representatives will be determined by the Graduate Student Association Council. Each residential college will hold elections to appoint one individual as the Honor Council representative for that college. All other representatives will be selected by a series of two elections during the spring semester. The first of these elections, to coincide with the general University elections, will normally select four senior class representatives, three junior class representatives, and three sophomore class representatives. The second election, the filing deadline for which shall be no earlier than two days after the first election, will normally select three at-large representatives. Any undergraduate positions remaining open after the filing deadline for the first election will automatically he converted to at-large positions, which may then be filled by the second election. In addition, two freshman representatives will be appointed by the Honor Council officers, in consultation with the Council, at the beginning of each academic year. The freshman representatives will serve in an advisory capacity and may attend hearings, but may not vote unless directed to do so by the Chair.
2. A quorum for the Honor Council, as defined in the By-Laws, shall be authorized to act as the Council in its entirety.
Article VII. Vacancies
1. Should a vacancy occur, that position shall be offered to the individual who in the preceding election finished highest of those not elected. Should the individual refuse, the position shall be offered to the next lower individual, etc., until the position can be filled. If the position cannot be thus filled an election shall be conducted within twenty (20) class days to fill the position.
2. In the case of temporary vacancies, the Honor Council shall have the power to appoint alternate members to fill the position.
Article VIII. Suspension
At the discretion of the Council, a member may be suspended or retired. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the other members of the Council will be required to take such action. To fill a vacancy created by such a suspension or retirement, the Council will use the means described in Article VII.
Article IX. Officers
The Honor Council will elect from its members the following officers: Chair, Internal Vice-Chair, External Vice-Chair, and Secretary. A Council member may serve only one full term as Chair. These officers will be elected by a simple majority vote. Their duties are specified in the By-Laws. A vacancy created in the office shall result in a new election for the office.
VIOLATIONS
Article X. Definition
Any breach of the Honor System, as defined in Article I, will constitute a violation of the Honor System.
Article XI. Accusations
In the event that a violation of the Honor System is observed or suspected by a member of the Student Body or a member of the faculty, that person should make a verbal or written, signed report to a member of the Honor Council as soon after the violation as is possible. This report will be forwarded to the Chair of the Council. The Chair and one other designated member of the Council, except in extraordinary cases, shall then make such inquiry as is deemed necessary preliminary to the Investigative Meeting, which will determine whether a case should proceed to a hearing.
Article XII. Hearing
A person confronted with an accusation
by the Council has the option of either proceeding with the hearing or of voluntarily
withdrawing from the University within three days and forfeiting credit for
the course in question (with the understanding that the accusation will
not otherwise be pursued), providing the withdrawal is effective until the
commencement of the second semester following.
The formal reading of the accusation or hearing will be held within ten (10)
class days, if possible, after presentation of the report.
Article XIII. Plea
At the hearing the rights of the accused, as outlined in the Hearing Procedure, will be explained and the accused will enter a plea of "In Violation" or "Not In Violation."
Article XIV. Failure of the Accused to Attend
If the accused fails to attend his or her hearing, it will be recommended that he or she be suspended from Rice University.
Article XV. Verdict
Immediately after the hearing, the Council will render a verdict in secret session. A unanimous vote of the Council members present with binding votes is necessary for a verdict of "In Violation."
Article XVI. Penalties
Upon a verdict of "In Violation," the Council will recommend a penalty to the President of the University, through the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs.
Article XVII. Records
The Honor Council records shall be kept as outlined in the Hearing Procedure.
Article XVIII. Appeals
l. An appeal may be made in the form of a written request submitted to the Chair and to the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs within five business days of a previous decision regarding the case. The first appeal is to an appeals panel consisting of the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs and two faculty members selected by Faculty Senate. After their decision, a second and final appeal may be made to the President of the University.
2. An appeal may be made on the following grounds:
a. procedural error;
b. excessive or unjust penalty;
c. incorrect verdict; or
d. defective deliberation.
Article XIX. Reopening a Hearing
A hearing may be re-opened either by presentation of new evidence relevant to the case or at the direction of the President of the University.
Article XX. The Ombuds
There shall be Ombuds whose selection and functions are outlined in the Investigation and Hearing Procedure Section.
Article XXI. Statute of Limitations
If a student accused of a violation is absent from Rice University for two or more semesters without having informed the Council and the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs of his intent to withdraw, the student will forfeit credit for the course in question but the accusation will not otherwise be pursued.
Article XXII. Accusations During the Rice Summer Session
In the event that a student who is enrolled in the Rice University Summer Session is accused of a violation of the Honor System, the case will be treated by the same procedure that is specified for all cases that occur during the academic year. If there are not enough Honor Council members in Houston or the vicinity to conduct the investigation or to establish the necessary quorum for a hearing, the Honor Council Chair (or the Internal Vice-Chair in his or her absence) will be permitted to appoint the number of people needed to serve as voting members. It is recommended that these appointed members be either current Rice students who have previously served as Honor Council members, or Rice alumni who have served on the Honor Council. The appointed members must be either current Rice students or alumni of Rice University.
Approved by the Faculty and by a 3/4 vote of the Student Body, May 1958.
Revised, April 1960
February 1971
February 1974
March 1975
March 1977
April 1980
May 1983
August 1985
July 1986
May 1994
June 1995
May 1996
May 2001
April 2002
April 2003
February 2004
March 2006