The Honor Code & Honor Councils

The Honor Code

Among the most significant traditions of William & Mary is its student-administered honor system. The essence of the honor system is individual responsibility. We entrust students to maintain the Code and adjudicate matters involving alleged violations of the Code.

The Honor Code is an enduring tradition at the University with documented history that originates as far back as 1736. Today, students administer the Honor pledge to each incoming student and educate faculty and administration on the relevance of the Code and its application to students' lives at the University. Students administer the Code through six Honor Councils and the Council of Chairs.

The Honor Code prohibits lying, cheating, and stealing.  For definitions of each offense, view Section VI: Infractions of the Honor Code.

• Read the Honor Code (starts on page 71)
• Report a Violation

The Pledge

"As a member of the William & Mary community, I pledge on my honor not to lie, cheat, or steal, either in my academic or personal life. I understand that such acts violate the Honor Code and undermine the community of trust, of which we are all stewards."

The Honor Councils

William & Mary's Honor Council consists of seven councils: Undergraduate, Education, Law, Coastal & Marine Sciences, Computing, Data Sciences, & Physics, Business, and Arts & Sciences. The governing bodies of each of these entities determine the criteria for selection/election of their officers and council members. Please navigate to each council's page using the link above.