Honor Council

Student Guide

Guide to The Honor Code and Resources for Academic Integrity for Students

Overview:

The Honor Code is a contract that students sign before matriculating at CC. In the Code, students agree to foster an environment of academic integrity that holds all students accountable for ethical behavior in academic work. The philosophy of the Code is built on mutual trust between students and faculty that encourages academic independence.

The Honor Council enforces the Honor Code. It is comprised of 20-40 students selected to investigate potential academic violations. The Council responds to allegations of Honor Code violations in a timely and professional manner.

The Honor Code in the Classroom:

Students are expected to read The Honor Code in the Pathfinder when they enroll. This document outlines your rights and responsibilities for academic work at CC. Be aware that professors can set parameters and expectations for ethical conduct specific to their class. Students are responsible for asking professors what guidelines should be followed at the beginning of a class and on any given assignment. Ignorance of these standards is not an excuse for cheating.

Confronting Cheating:

If you believe that a violation of the Honor Code has occurred, you are also obligated to contact the Honor Council at HonorCouncil@coloradocollege.edu. The Honor Council co-chairs will assign a team of investigators to determine if a violation has occurred, and the professor of the course will be involved in this process. Your identity will not be disclosed to the professor, the accused student, or anyone not directly involved in the Honor Council Investigation. The identities of everyone involved in Honor Council proceedings are kept entirely confidential. Please let the Co-Chairs know if you have any questions or concerns about this.

Investigations and Verdicts:

If the Honor Council investigators believe that a violation has occurred, then they will give the accused student two options. The first option is to plead guilty to a violation. In this case, the Honor Council recommends that the professor gives the student a grade of NC (no credit) for the block. The final decision is ultimately up to the professor.

If the student chooses to plead not guilty, then the matter goes to trial. The duration of an investigation and trial should be within a block unless extraordinary circumstances arise. The trial includes testimony from the accuser, the accused, the professor of the class, material witnesses, and two character witnesses of the accused's choosing. We generally recommend to professors that if a student is found guilty s/he receives a grade of NC (no credit) for the block. In the case of a flagrant first violation or a second violation, the council recommends to President Richardson that the student be expelled for one year.