Mason

1
Masons Honor Code and Honor Committee

• Donna M. Fox, Ph.D.
• Associate Dean
• Office for Academic Integrity
• Academicintegrity.gmu.edu

2
Masons Honor Code Statement

• To promote a stronger sense of mutual
  responsibility, respect, trust, and fairness
  among all members of the George Mason University
  community and with the desire for greater
  academic and personal achievement, we, the
  student members of the University Community have
  set forth this
• Student members of the George Mason University
  community pledge not to cheat, plagiarize, steal,
  or lie in matters related to academic work.
• Applies to all students on all campuses except
  law school students

3
Purpose

• To ensure that students understand the importance
  of academic integrity and respect its
• value
• To provide a mechanism, when necessary, to
  identify students who need to be better
• educated or sanctioned.

4
Types of Violations

• Cheating, plagiarizing, copying, unauthorized
  collaboration, lying, misrepresentation in terms
  of academic work
• Judicial cases referred to Becky Patt
  (rpatt_at_gmu.edu)
• Most common charge? Unintentional plagiarism
• Why report? Central repository find repeat
  offenders
• Stress importance of academic integrity not only
  at school but in all aspects of life and career

5
Who should report violators?

• Everyone!
• If a violation is observed by a student, it is
  recommended that he/she inform the professor of
  the course about the possible HC violation.
• Professors can file cases for students and
  provide additional information
• Student accusers are protected from harassment
  from accusers.

6
Process of Charge with HC Violation

• Accuser downloads accusation forms from
  academicintegrity.gmu.edu
• Completes forms and provides copies of
• evidence to OAI
• Submits case to OAI in a timely manner
• Best to avoid discussion of case with student
• OAI sends out email informing student of charge
  and his/her rights
• Student makes appointment to meet with Associate
  Dean of OAI

7
Transcript Notations

• If alleged violation occurs near end of semester,
  professor is instructed to record a notation of
  HC.
• The HC notation on the grade pull-down menu is
  reflected on the transcript as an NR. (not
  recorded)
• Students with NR cannot graduate, so it is best
  for student to resolve case as soon as possible.

8
Failure to Make Initial Appointment

• Time limit always given for student to make
  appointment.
• Failure to make appointment by deadline will
  result in hold being placed on record.
• If a new semester will be starting and a student
  has already enrolled in upcoming semester,
  student is notified that courses will be dropped
  for failure to contact.

9
What happens at the meeting?

• Student is shown all materials filed by accuser
• All options are explained to student.
• If first violation, can offer recommended
  sanctions and close case no notations on record
  OR can take case to HC
• If second violation, must arrange for a hearing

10
After the Hearing

• Professor will receive email reiterating the
• outcome
• May be instructed to submit change of grade
• form if necessary
• Student is copied on email to the professor as a
  courtesy

11
Appeals Process

• Student has 10 working days to appeal
• Prof not involved with appeals process
• Student must provide NEW documentation not
  available to the hearing committee and/or student
  must identify hearing irregularities
• Three Honor Code officers who were NOT judges on
  the original hearing panel will review the appeal
  and make a decision.
• The student will be notified of the Appeals Board
  decision by email.

12
Some Important Points

• Remind all students that the Honor Code is
  strictly enforced.
• Encourage all students to report possible
  violations to their professors. Their names will
  not be disclosed without first obtaining their
  permission.
• Do not be drawn into discussions about a pending
  HC case with a charged student to include
  possible sanctions.
• All NR notations can only be resolved through the
  OAI or the Dean of Students Office.
• Refer students to the Writing Center if
  necessary, and/or obtain help from their
  professors.
• Refer students to our website (academicintegrity.g
  mu.edu)
• to the Resources for students. FAQs are
  there.
• If suspended, students cannot take courses
  elsewhere for transfer credit back to Mason
  during period of suspension.