Honor Code
What are the two sections that comprise the Honor Code?
Academic and Personal Integrity
What are the way the ways in which B-level violations can be handled?
Assignment to an Admin Board or Student Judicial Board or administratively by the Office of the Dean of Students or the Office of Housing and Residence Life.
In an SJB hearing, what is the standard of proof for a charged student to be found responsible for the alleged violation(s)?
The preponderance of the incident information shows it to be true (50% and a feather).
What is the DPA’s role during a hearing?
To provide support, guidance, and advice to the advisee. They cannot present information, advocate for, or argue a case on behalf of the advisee. Their communication is limited to conferring quietly with the advisee through written note or whisper. They may not address any other participant or the hearing panel.
What is the standard sanction for A level violations?
Suspension.
What are the two broad categories of plagiarism?
(1) Plagiarism of ideas and (2) plagiarism of language.
Which of the following has/have an A-level charge as well as a B-level charge: hazing; possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia; possession of a street, traffic or municipal sign; or failure to comply with sanctions?
Hazing and Failure to Comply with Sanctions.
Who can write a character reference letter for a charged student?
A current University of Lynchburg student, faculty, or staff member who is not participating in the hearing in another capacity.
During a hearing involving multiple charged students, when asked if they prefer for the hearing to be open or closed, Charged Student A says open, Charged Student B says open, and Charged Student C says closed. Will the hearing be open or closed and why?
Closed. In the case of multiple charged students, if any one student prefers for the hearing to be closed, the hearing panel will take that preference.
When are prior A and B level violations taken into consideration for sanctioning?
All prior A level violations are taken into consideration, however, B level violations are only taken into consideration if the incident occurred within the last calendar year (i.e. if the student does not have a clean slate).
When grading an essay, a professor is baffled by certain statistics cited in a student’s paper. Intrigued, the professor goes to the cited sources to investigate why these statistics seem so abnormal. Upon investigation, the professor finds that the cited source does not exist. What violation(s) could this student be charged with?
A1.2 Fabrication - Falsification or invention of any information or citation in an educational exercise.
While doing walk-throughs for midterm break, an RA walks into a resident’s room to find its walls covered in empty alcohol packaging with some mixed in street signs. The RA then finds a full bottle of rum on the student’s desk. (Note: The student is 20.) What potential charges could be assigned to the resident of this room?
1. B2.2 Possession of a street, traffic, or municipal sign.
2. B3.1 Violation of Housing and Residence Life Policies
3. B6.1 Purchase, possession, or use of alcohol by a person under 21 years of age
When can cases be referred to the Student Judicial Board?
1. If it involves a 3rd possible B-level violation in a semester.
2. If it involves a 5th possible B-level violation in a student’s tenure.
3. It is involves a possible A-level charge.
Who can be present during an open hearing (excluding the time for the panel’s deliberation and the reading of the hearing outcomes)?
Observers from the campus community (current student/faculty/staff), witnesses, the investigator, all charged students, and their DPAs.
What are the categories of sanctions that may be applied to a responsible student?
(1) Warning, (2) Community service hours, (3) Task completion, (4) Fine, (5) Restitution, (6) Restriction, (7) Disciplinary probation, (8) Suspension, (9) Expulsion, and/or (10) Group sanctions.
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS LIST IS NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE.*
If the Office of the Dean of Students is made aware of a potential instance of an academic integrity infraction, what steps do they take?
The instance is investigated. If it is found that the violation likely did not occur, the investigation process stops. If a charge of a possible infraction is issued, once the investigation is closed, the case is assigned to the appropriate judicial board who determines responsibility and sanctions, if appropriate. When the final outcome of the disciplinary review is done (i.e. after the appeal deadline), the Office of the Dean of Students notifies the course professor of the findings. The professor has three grading options from that point.
A fire alarms goes off in Tate hall. A Security Officer arrives and goes to inspect the room where the alarm was triggered. After knocking on the door, the Security Officer receives no response and opens the door only to find Aaron (18) standing on a chair attempting to remove a Solo cup that is covering his smoke detector. Upon questioning, Aaron tells the Security Officer that he was vaping in his room when the fire alarm went off. Worried that he might have set it off, Aaron decided to try to cover his alarm to get the ringing to stop. To his dismay, the alarm would not stop. What charges of possible misconduct could be assigned to him?
1. A4.3 Giving a false fire alarm, tampering with a fire alarm, or misuse of a fire extinguisher.
2. B11.2 Failure to vacate a building during a fire, fire drill, or fire alarm.
3. B11.4 Unauthorized possession, use, or provision of smoking, tobacco, or nicotine products.
What are the three grounds that a student can appeal the outcome of an SJB hearing on?
1. New information not known by the charged student at the time of the hearing that likely would significantly alter the hearing panel’s understanding of the case.
2. Sanction(s) disproportionate to the severity of the violation(s).
3. Incorrect procedure that substantially impacted the fairness of the judicial board hearing.
If there are multiple charged students for a closed hearing, who can be present in the hearing room during these steps of the hearing procedures: (1) Reading of the charge(s) and statement of responsibility or lack thereof, (2) Presentation of the incident information, and (3) Oral presentation of the hearing outcome.
1. One charged student at a time with their DPA.
2. All charged students with their DPAs; investigators and witnesses when they share their information.
3. One charged student at a time with their DPA.
What is the difference between disciplinary and limited probation?
1. If a student violates any University policy while on disciplinary probation, it will be treated as an A-level offense.
2. If a student is on limited probation, only offenses that break the specific designation of the limited probation during the probationary period will be counted as A-level offense (i.e. If a student is on alcohol probation, any alcohol violation during the probationary period will count as an A-level offense).
James is taking a make-up test for his history class. The day of the test, he talks with his friend John who had already taken it. John said he had his graded test back if James wanted to look it over. James looked over the test, however without John realizing, James slipped the test into his backpack and walked away. During his make-up test, James references John’s test. Unfortunately for James, his professor catches him and asks him how he got John’s test. James says that he found it on the floor of the testing room and picked it up to see what it was. What potential charges could be assigned to James?
1. A.1 Cheating: Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any educational exercise.
2. A2.1 Lying: Any statement, action, or behavior with the intent to deceive or mislead.
3. A2.2 Stealing: Knowingly taking, appropriating, or carrying out actions to take or appropriate something that is not your without the permission of the owner.
Kelly and Brittney live on College Street and are both under 21. As the sun is setting one evening, they decide to climb out onto their roof with two Trulys and enjoy the scenery. While on the roof, an RA spots them and tells them to go back inside the house. They refuse and remain on the roof. What charges of possible misconduct could be assigned to them?
1. A10.3 or B10.1 Failure to comply with directions of University personnel or officials acting in the performance of their duties.
2. B3.1 Violation of Housing and Residence Life policies.
3. B6.1 Purchase, possession, or use of alcohol by a person under 21 years of age.
4. B8.3 Possession of an open container of alcoholic beverage on campus outside restricted areas.
5. B13.4 Dangerous practice, including but not limited to: burning incense or candles, throwing objects or climbing into or out of windows, hall ball, water battles and providing University ID or key to another.
What is the timeline for sending a charge letter, scheduling a hearing, and submitting an appeal?
1. Written notification of charge(s) issued within 5 class days after the investigation has closed.
2. A hearing must occur within 20 class days after charges are issued, allowing the charged student at least three weekdays after charges are issued to prepare for the hearing.
3. An appeal must be submitted within two weekdays after the hearing ends.
If a charged student requests to omit presentation of incident information, what in the hearing process changes?
1. The investigator and witnesses do not participate in the hearing.
2. The hearing is closed.
3. The hearing panel may discuss the incident informally with the charged student and ask questions.
4. The charged student accepts responsibility for all charges issued to them (accepting the A-level violation if a charge has an A or B option).
Note: If there are multiple charged students, for this to be approved all charged students must request to omit the presentation of incident information.
When are parents notified of a student’s disciplinary outcome(s) of violations of the Honor and Student Conduct Codes?
The student must be a dependent and the outcome must involve the following circumstances:
(1) Probationary status, indicating that a subsequent infraction will likely result in suspension or expulsion from the University;
(2) Suspension or expulsion from the University; and/or
(3) A second or subsequent alcohol-related violation committed by a student under age 21.