Honor Code Student FAQ's

What happens if I have been reported for a possible violation?

Typically, SARP receives the initial report, and upon receipt, we review the report to ensure the reporting party has provided the student the opportunity to explain the alleged conduct or made a good faith attempt to do so. After doing so, SARP forwards the matter to the appropriate Honor Council, and the Chair or designee of that Council contacts the student via email to begin the process.

What resources do I have as a Respondent?

Conduct and Honor Advocate Program (CHAP)

Students going through the Honor Council process are entitled to a student advisor and can opt to have a CHAP assigned to assist them. CHAP's are trained to help guide students through our process. Along with the Chair and the Procedural Advisor, a CHAP is a source of support and guidance for the student. CHAPs, however, are not attorneys.

Although the advisor is present during the Panel proceeding, the CHAP's role is not to seek the student's exoneration; rather, the CHAP can answer questions from the student, speak on the student's behalf when necessary, and aid the student in asking questions of relevant parties at the proceeding. CHAPs cannot answer questions from the panel directed to the student, nor can they testify on their behalf.

Witnesses

Witnesses are parties with relevant information to share that bear on the facts of the matter reported. You are entitled to request that the Investigation interview witnesses that you believe are necessary parties to your case. The Investigators will determine which witnesses are necessary to participate in the Panel to help the panel make a full assessment of the facts.

What happens at a Panel?

The Panel occurs in two phases, Judgment and Sanctioning, and both phases typically are held in the same day. The Sanctions Phase only occurs if the Panel finds a violation.

The following are present at the Judgment Phase of the Panel: the Presiding Chair, a member of the panel serving as Panel Secretary, the PA, the ICC, the Reporting Party, any materials witnesses, and your student advisor, if you choose to have one.

During the Sanctions Phase, the individuals present include: the Chair, the panel, and the PA.

What does the Honor Council consider for sanctions?

The Nature of the Violation

• What were the student's actions?
• How much planning or thought did the student's act entail?

Impact of the Violation

• Who was impacted by the violation? How?
• How significant was the impact of the student's actions? How long lasting? 

Prior Violations/Previous Disciplinary History

• Does the student have any prior Honor or Conduct violations?
• How does this violation relate to the student's previous violation(s)? Is it indicative of a pattern of behavior?
• What has the student learned from past incidents?

• Are there any extraordinary circumstances present at the time of the violation?
  
  Note: If a student knew the consequences of the behavior (for example that they have a scholarship that they could lose if suspended) at the time and chose to take part in the situation, the Council does not generally consider these circumstances extraordinary.
  
  Special interests (such as involvement in student organizations, athletics, etc.) generally are not considered to be appropriate to receive a reduced sanction.

• Who was harmed by the acts and how? What actions can the student take to remedy/repair the harm created by their acts?
• How was the student themself affected by their conduct? How might sanctions assist the student in identifying and remedying the harm to self?
• What factors contributed to the behavior? Can the Council assist the student in addressing these factors through secondary sanctions (e.g., community service, recommended counseling, referral to the Writing & Communication Center, reflection paper)?

What are typical sanctions?

While each case is determined on its own unique merits/circumstances, the Council has sanction guidelines. Some violations are considered serious, and for these, a student may receive time away from the university in the form of a suspension. Time away can be an opportunity to engage in sustained reflection regarding our community's values, the student's personal choices, and the value of the student's educational experience at the university. 

For Undergraduate Student Sanction Guidelines, refer to Appendices I and II of the Honor Code.

Does double jeopardy apply? Can I go through the courts and the Honor System?

Double jeopardy only applies when a person is twice tried and convicted for the same violation of law in a court of law. Therefore, a student can go through both the university process AND off campus legal proceedings. Double jeopardy does not apply since the university is addressing alleged violations of our Honor Code and the university's particular expectations of its students.

Will my parents find out?

If you have your parental release permissions set to notify your parents, we will send your parents a copy of the outcome via email a few days after your case is resolved and the appeal period has ended. You can review and edit your release settings at Personal Information Questionnaire | William & Mary (wm.edu). 

More information regarding records disclosure policy.

I want to go to graduate/law/medical school. Will potential schools find out about my Honor Code violation?

The answer depends on the sanctions you are issued.  Many graduate schools will request access to you to disclose your complete conduct history, and they most likely will ask you to allow them to verify the information with us. If we receive a signed release from you authorizing disclosure, we will disclose information if you have been suspended or dismissed or if you are actively on probation.

Students who receive suspension or permanent dismissal from the university will have a permanent record at the university, and the university will disclose this information indefinitely.

Keep in mind that your conduct history may not necessarily impact your admission. We recommend you discuss your history with the admissions staff of the potential schools if you are concerned.

More information regarding records disclosure policy.

Will anyone else find out?

SARP can disclose the record if the student is applying for membership on the Honor or Conduct Councils, for a position in Residence Life, as an Orientation Aid, or to study abroad. Disclosure does not necessarily mean the student will not be selected--we advise that you contact the entity to which you are applying in advance to inquire as to their policies.

Participation

Students have a duty to cooperate with the resolution of reported matters, including serving as a witness. The universityy can consider refusal to appear, make statements, or remain present when requested a violation of the Code of Conduct.

Honesty

We expect witnesses to provide honest and fulsome information. Failure to cooperate and be honest and complete in your answers may be considered a violation of university regulations and/or our Honor Code. You can choose not to answer specific questions that may incriminate you, but if you do so, you must indicate why you have chosen not to answer.

Confidentiality

To preserve the rights of individuals involved in the process, the process's integrity, and the privacy of students reported, witnesses are expected to maintain confidentiality. We also expect our Council members to adhere to strict confidentiality standards.

Communication Among Witnesses

The Panel is interested in your independent recollections and to help you avoid comments or other pressure that could compromise the process. Witnesses must make every effort to avoid hearing or discussing statements made by of other witnesses. It is also important you refrain from discussing your statements or views about the matter with other witnesses.

Missed Other Obligations

In scheduling Panels, we consider class schedules and meal times; however, it still may be necessary for some invited witnesses to miss an appointment or class to participate in the panel proceeding. SARP can provide a letter explaining any required absences or tardiness.

Hearsay or Indirect Knowledge

The Panel is interested in examining all available relevant information; however, if you are sharing information, impressions, or understandings based on other than firsthand experience, please clearly indicate this.

Questions Regarding Your Participation

Be prepared to answer questions about your statements, including some which may seem critical of your perceptions. We understand and will assume that you are sharing what you know "to the best of your recollection," and that reasonable persons of goodwill may naturally disagree in their perceptions of events.