Resources for Parents

What is the Honor Code?

The Honor Code guides students re ethical conduct both within and outside of the university community. The Honor Code is an affirmation that students will not lie, cheat or steal. For more information, please refer to the Honor Code.

What is my role in the Honor process? How can I help my student?

You can help your student learn about the Honor process, procedures, and goals. Our process primarily is developmental and educational. Important learning and growth occur when students take responsibility for the process, attend required meetings, and fulfill sanction requirements, if any. By assuming responsibility for the process, the student also can develop a sense of confidence and competence in managing their future affairs.

Can my student have me present at meetings?

Because our process is student-run, all preliminary meetings involve only your student and the students who administer the Honor Code process.

If the matter progresses to a hearing, the student is permitted to bring one parent and one other Silent Supporter to the hearing. The parent and Silent Supporter and not permitted to participate in the hearing process. If a parent is observing the hearing, they cannot also serve as a witness in the case. 

What happens if my student is found to have violated the Honor Code?

If your student is found responsible for a violation, the student will receive one or more sanctions. In addition, if the violation is an academic violation, the Council will recommend a grade consequence on the assignment or in the course (the instructor always has final word on the grade, however). The Council also typically issues secondary sanctions that are educational in nature. For more information, please read the Student Handbook's section on the Honor Code.

How will I know if my student has been referred for an Honor violation?

We encourage, but do not require, students to inform their parents/guardians of any incidents, as we believe they can be effective allies in helping their student learn and grow from their behavior. We view students as adults, and as such, we provide the student with agency to decide if and how to inform their parents.

Students can modify their records release settings at Personal Information Questionnaire | William & Mary (wm.edu) to indicate whether they wish for parents/guardians to be notified of the final results of any Honor Code matter. If the student has chosen to release this information, we will send a letter via email informing you of the incident resolution and your student's conduct status.

What kind of assistance is available to my student?

Students can request the assistance of a trained student Conduct and Honor Advisor, or they can be assisted by any other currently enrolled W&M student of the same level (undergraduates can use undergraduate students as advisors, for example). Students can request a CHAP by submitting their request on the CHAP website.

If the matter progresses to a hearing, the student also can bring one parent and one other Silent Supporter to the hearing. The parent and Silent Supporter and not permitted to participate in the hearing process. If a parent is observing the hearing, they cannot also serve as a witness in the case. 

Can my student appeal the Honor Code decision?

Yes, your student will receive an outcome letter that will inform them as to how and when to appeal. Students must submit their appeal within five working days of the date of written notice of the outcome of the case.

Whom can we contact if we have additional questions?

Please feel free to have your student contact us at cvrp@wm.edu or 757-221-2509.

What are the standards for conduct?

Our behavioral expectations are provided in the Student Handbook in the Student Code of Conduct.

How will I know if my student has been referred for conduct review?

We encourage, but do not require, students to inform their parents/guardians of any incidents, as we believe they can be effective allies in helping their student learn and grow from their behavior. We view students as adults, and as such, we provide the student with agency to decide if and how to inform their parents.

Students can modify their records release settings at Personal Information Questionnaire | William & Mary (wm.edu) to indicate whether they wish for parents/guardians to be notified of the final results of any Honor Code matter. If the student has chosen to release this information, we will send a letter via email informing you of the incident resolution and your student's conduct status.

What is my role in the student conduct process? How can I help my student?

You can help your student learn about the relevant conduct policies, procedures, and goals. Our process is primarily educational. Important learning and growth occur when students take responsibility for the process, attend required meetings, and fulfill sanction requirements, if any. By assuming responsibility for the process, the student also can develop a sense of confidence and competence in managing their  affairs.

Can my student opt to have me present during meetings?

Our conduct process begins with an Information Session in which the student is informed of the nature of the report and the student's options for resolving the report of possible misconduct. If the student chooses, they can discuss the matter with the assigned staff member and potentially resolve the matter in a single setting. If not, the student can request a formal conference with the staff member (Administrative Conference) or a panel hearing. In a Conference or Panel, the student can provide additional information such as witness statements.

We strive to resolve reports as informally and expeditiously as possible. Students are able to bring a parent/guardian with them as a Silent Supporter. Silent Supporters are present to support the student—they do not participate in the process or speak on behalf of the student.

Students also can receive the assistance of any currently enrolled W&M student. Advisors must come from the student’s school (graduate students cannot assist undergraduate students, for example).

The university also provides a group of trained student advisors, the Conduct & Honor Advisors Program (CHAP). Students can request a CHAP by submitting their request on the CHAP website.

Are there any other resources available to help students in the process?

Yes, students are permitted to receive the assistance of a student advisor. Advisors can be any currently enrolled student at William & Mary from the student’s school (graduate students cannot assist undergraduate students, for example). The university also has a group of trained student advisors, the Conduct & Honor Advisors Program (CHAP). Students can request a CHAP by submitting their request on the CHAP website.

What happens if my student is found responsible for misconduct?

If your student is found responsible, the student will receive one or more sanctions. Sanctions are designed primarily to be educational; however, when the violation involves significant or potential harm to the community, or when the student has prior violations, the sanctions may also consider the safety and wellbeing of the community and its members.

Are Conduct decisions appealable?

Yes, your student will receive an outcome letter that will inform them as to how and when to appeal. Students must submit their appeal within five working days of the date of written notice of the outcome of the case.