(Please see the new Academic Honor Policy, effective August 22, 2005.)

8.22 Academic Honor System

A major concern of any educational institution, ranking with its concern for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge, is the maintenance of high standards of integrity and responsibility in the academic community. The Florida State University recognizes the responsibility of both faculty and students in developing and maintaining these standards.

The legal foundation for the coordinated efforts of faculty and students to uphold academic integrity and combat academic dishonesty is provided in the Student Conduct Code.

8.22.1 Honor Code--FAC 6C2-3.005

(a) Academic Honor Code. The Academic Honor System of The Florida State University is based on the premise that each student has the responsibility (1) to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in the student's own work, (2) to refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the University community, and (3) to foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the University community.

(b) Violations of the Academic Honor Code.

1. During examinations, violations of the Academic Honor Code shall include referring to information not specifically condoned by the instructor. It shall further include receiving information from a fellow student or another unauthorized source.

2. Regarding academic assignments, violations of the Academic Honor Code shall include representing another's work or any part thereof, be it published or unpublished, as one's own. It shall also include presenting or submitting any academic work in a manner that impairs the instructor's ability to assess the student's academic performance. For example, plagiarism includes failure to use quotation marks or other conventional markings around material quoted from any source.

3. Violations of the Academic Honor Code shall include obtaining, distributing, or referring to a copy of an examination which the instructor/department has not authorized to be made available for such purpose.

4. Violations of the Academic Honor Code shall include any act which impedes the ability of other students to have fair access to materials assigned or suggested by the instructor. For example, removal or destruction of library or other source materials violates the Academic Honor Code.

5. Academic dishonesty shall include tampering with another student's work or impairing in any way the instructor's ability to assess the academic performance of another student.

6. Violations of the Academic Honor Code shall include alteration of grades or any other records related to the academic performance of students. This shall also include submitting any false records in order to gain admission to the University.

7. Violations of the Academic Honor Code shall include assisting, attempting to assist, or conspiring to assist another student in committing the offenses as outlined above.

8. Violations of the Academic Honor Code shall include attempting to commit any offense as outlined above.

(c) Student Responsibilities.

1. Each student shall be responsible for abiding by the Academic Honor Code at all times. If required by the instructor, at the conclusion of each examination or submission of an assignment, each student shall sign a pledge that he or she has neither given nor received aid from any unauthorized source during the examination or in preparing the assignment.

2. Any student who violates the Academic Honor Code is expected to report the violation to the instructor and/or the University Judicial Officer.

3. If a student observes cheating during an examination, the student should consult with the instructor of the course as soon as reasonable so that the cheating may be stopped. If a student otherwise observes or learns of another student's violation of the Academic Honor Code, the student shall either (a) ask the student to report the violation to the instructor of the course and/or the University Judicial Officer, or (b) report the violation to the instructor of the course and the University Judicial Officer. In the event that a student asks another student to report himself/herself and such student does not do so, then the student shall report, as soon as practicable, the violation to the instructor of the course and/or the University Judicial Officer. The student should provide the name of such student or students involved, if known, and furnish such evidence as is available to support his/her charge.

(d) Faculty Responsibilities.

1. Any instructor may require the students to sign a pledge at the conclusion of each examination stating that they have neither given nor received aid from any unauthorized source during the examination.

2. An instructor may further define in writing his/her specification of the acts which shall constitute a violation of the Academic Honor Code as set forth in Section 6(b). The definition shall be explained to each class and shall be effective thereafter for that class.

3. When an instructor believes that a student has violated the Academic Honor Code in one of the instructor's classes, the instructor should discuss the matter with the student. The instructor and student may resolve the problem in a manner acceptable to both. The instructor may consult with or invite the participation of the instructor's department chair or dean in the effort to reach acceptable agreement with the student. The student may discuss the appropriateness of any academic response with the instructor's department chair or dean. Any agreement involving an academic penalty shall be put in writing, signed by both parties concerned, and reported by the instructor to the chair or dean and for information only, to the University Judicial Officer. The student shall not be further penalized based on this report alone.

4. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached at the department level, the instructor shall refer the matter to an Academic Honor System Hearing Panel. These panels shall consist of five members: one faculty member from the department (school) concerned and appointed by the chair (dean), one faculty member not from the department concerned but appointed by the Dean of the Faculties, and two students appointed through procedures established by the Student Senate. The Panel shall be chaired by the Dean of the Faculties, and two students appointed through procedures established by the Student Senate. The Panel shall be chaired by the Dean of the Faculties or designee, who shall vote only in case of a tie. Procedures of this Hearing Panel shall be in compliance with Rule 6C-6.105, Florida Administrative Code. The University Judicial Officer may sit as an ex-officio nonvoting member of the Hearing Panel. The decision of this Panel shall be final with respect to the student's guilt or innocence and the appropriate academic penalty, if any. The student shall have the right to continue in the course during the hearing procedures. Should no determination be made before the end of the term, the instructor shall record an appropriate grade to reflect the situation until a final decision is made.

5. The chair of the Academic Honor System Hearing Panel shall be responsible for reporting the decision to the student, the instructor, and the University Judicial Officer; the University Judicial Officer shall determine whether further action should be taken under the Academic Honor Code.

(e) Academic Penalties. Examples of academic penalties include, but are not limited to, one or a combination of the following: (1) a lower or failing grade in the course, (2) a lower or failing grade or score on the assignment or examination, or (3) additional work to provide evidence of the student's academic performance and/or evidence that the student knows and understands the course material.

(f) University Judicial Officer Responsibilities

1. The University Judicial Officer shall explore the circumstances and determine whether, in the light of the severity and frequency of the student's violations of the Academic Honor Code, any disciplinary penalty (Paragraph h) should be imposed. The student may elect a hearing before the Student Supreme Court.

2. The University Judicial Officer shall determine, with advice from the Student Supreme Court, appropriate disciplinary penalties for students found guilty of violations of the Academic Honor Code.

3. In all cases referred to the Student Supreme Court, the University Judicial Officer shall submit the report from the chairperson of the Academic Honor System Hearing Panel and a record of the student's history regarding academic integrity. The University Judicial Officer shall report the disposition of each case to the student, to the Dean of the Faculties, and to the instructor involved.

(g) Student Supreme Court Responsibilities.

1. The Student Supreme Court shall be responsible for hearing all cases brought before it by the University Judicial Officer. These proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the guidelines in the Student Conduct Code and other applicable University guidelines.

2. The Court shall, in the light of information concerning this violation and the student's entire history regarding academic integrity, hold hearings to determine a recommended disciplinary penalty in accordance with the procedures of the Court.

(h) Penalties. The following are the possible disciplinary penalties for violation of the Academic Honor Code, and they may be imposed singularly or in any combination.

1. Dismissal: An indefinite separation from the University. In order to be readmitted, a student dismissed for disciplinary reasons pursuant to the Academic Honor Code must file a petition for judicial clearance with the University Judicial Officer who will present the petition to the Honor System Committee for review and decision about whether or not the student shall receive a judicial clearance. All students who receive a judicial clearance will be permitted to return to the University on a probationary basis if the student has also met applicable readmission criteria.

2. Suspension: A separation from the University for a specified period of time, not to exceed two years. During the period of suspension, a student is excluded from class and all other University privileges or activities. At the conclusion of the period of suspension, the student will be permitted to return to the University on a probationary basis if the student has also met applicable readmission criteria.

3. Probation: A conditional retention of student status until the student graduates from the University or is separated from the University for a period of not less than four years. During the period of the probation, a student's University privileges may be restricted at the discretion of the University Judicial Officer.

4. Reprimand: A written statement from the University Judicial Officer expressing disapproval of conduct.

5. Nothing in this code shall preclude the imposition of other reasonable sanctions or a combination of sanctions within the authority and discretion of the appropriate tribunal.

6. Disciplinary records shall be maintained under the auspices of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

(i) Honor System Committee.

An Honor System Committee shall be appointed by the University President. The Committee shall consist of three faculty, selected from a list of six provided by the Faculty Senate Steering Committee, and three students selected from a list of six provided by the Student Senate. Student members shall be appointed to serve terms of one year and faculty shall be appointed to serve terms of three years. The Committee shall be chaired by the Vice President for Student Affairs. The Committee shall keep students and faculty informed concerning the provisions of the Academic Honor System, monitor the operation and effectiveness of the Academic Honor System, and make recommendations to the Faculty Senate and the Student Senate that it may deem appropriate.

(j) Amendment Procedures.

Amendments to the provisions of the Academic Honor System may be initiated by the above named Committee, by the Faculty Senate, the Student Senate, or by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Amendments to the Academic Honor System must be approved by the Faculty Senate and the Student Senate. After approval, amendments shall be forwarded to the University President for implementation.

8.22.2 Student Conduct Code, see FAC 6C2-3.004