Honor System
Founded on the premise that dishonesty has no place at Meredith, the Honor System demands personal integrity of each student. The Honor System is operated by the student body. Students are personally responsible for their own conduct and obligations to the Meredith Community. For more information on the Honor System at Meredith, contact the Office of the Dean of Students.
Statement of Honor
We, the Meredith Community, are committed to developing and affirming in each student a sense of personal honor and responsibility. Uncompromising honesty and forthrightness are essential elements of this commitment. The Honor System is a method by which individual honors are protected and maintained. Any dishonorable action will be regarded as a violation of this commitment, and corrective action will be taken.
If I am in violation of the Honor Code, to prevent jeopardizing the Honor System or weakening our system of self–government, I have an obligation to report myself to the proper authorities. If I am aware of a violation of the Honor System by another student, I shall call this matter to the attention of that student as a violation of responsibility to the community.
In choosing Meredith College, I am accepting the Honor System as a way of life. As a Meredith student, I am responsible for insuring that the Honor System is at all times carried out.
Honor Pledge
I do solemnly pledge my honor that as long as I am a student at Meredith College, I will faithfully uphold the principles of the Honor Code and will respect and observe the procedures and requirements of the Honor System. I also pledge my support to our system of self-government, an integral part of our way of life at Meredith College. I make this pledge in view of my fellow students thus signifying our high resolve to keep our honor forever sacred and our self-government forever strong.
Enrollment is not complete until a student has signed the Honor Pledge.
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Honor Council
The Honor Council is composed of the chair; the solicitor general; the support counselor; the secretary; the clerk; two representatives from the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes; two commuter representatives; two W.I.N.G.S. representatives; and four faculty members, who are appointed for two-year terms by the faculty council. The dean of students and/or her designee shall serve as a non-voting member and as advisor.
In addition to the solicitor general and support counselor, nine board members are present at any hearing. These members include the chair, the secretary, the clerk, and the advisor as non-voting members, and five voting members who shall consist of one faculty representative and four student representatives, all to be appointed on a rotating basis by the chair. The accused can waive her right to a full board when the unavailability of a board member would delay her case.
The Honor Council shall not convene during exam weeks except for those cases involving graduating seniors.
NOTE: A summer Honor Council composed of the chair (when possible), one or two student representatives to Honor Council (either new or retiring members), one faculty representative to Honor Council, the summer residence director, and the dean of students or her designee, shall hear cases occurring after the final day of classes of the spring semester through the final day of classes of summer school except for those cases deferred until the beginning of the fall semester. The services of a support counselor and solicitor general may not be available, and the appeal process will not include a Review Board.
Apartment Hearings Committee
The Apartment Hearings Committee is a branch of the Honor Council coordinated by the Apartment Association. The Apartment Hearings Committee shall hear appeals of apartment fines and violations of apartment policies. The vice-chair of the Apartment Association presides over all hearings and shall not vote except in the case of a tie. The apartment manager shall serve as a non-voting member.
Residence Hall Hearings Committee
The Residence Hall Hearings Committee is a branch of the Honor Council coordinated by the Residence Hall Board. The Residence Hall Hearings Committee shall hear appeals of residence hall fines and minor residence hall cases referred by the Honor Council solicitor general.
Present at each hearing are the vice chair of the Residence Hall Board, two residence hall presidents, a clerk, and a residence director advisor. The vice chair of the Residence Hall Board shall preside over all hearings and shall not vote except in the case of a tie. The residence director advisor shall serve as a non-voting member. The hearings shall be on Monday nights.
The decision of the Residence Hall Hearings Committee concerning fine appeals shall be final. Students may request a retrial with the Honor Council for other cases by contacting the solicitor general of the Honor Council within 48 hours of the original hearing.
The Residence Hall Hearings Committee will not meet in the summer. Summer fine appeals should be directed to the summer Honor Council.
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Honor Code Violations
The Honor Council acts on violations of the Honor Code. Violations of the Honor Code include, among others:
Academic dishonesty, including, but not limited to:
- Unauthorized copying, collaboration, or acceptance of assistance in the preparation of academic work (i.e., written, laboratory, artwork, computer programs, etc.)
- Plagiarism—which is defined as the intentional representation of another person’s words, thoughts, or ideas as one’s own
- The use of notes, books, electronic devices or other unauthorized aids on examinations
- Stating that assignments are completed when they are not (i.e., parallel readings) or aiding and abetting a dishonest action of another student
- Falsifying information or data
Theft or misuse of, or damage to, any personal property on institutional premises, any academically related personal property wherever located, or any College property.
Violation of any College policies as set forth in this Student Handbook.
Alteration, forgery, falsification, abuse, or fraudulent misuse of college documents, records, or identification cards.
Violation of rules governing the residence halls, the health center, the library, the dining hall, and other college owned, operated or regulated property.
Possession of firearms or other weapons on College property or at College-sponsored functions.
Conduct resulting in physical harm, harassment and/or discrimination of another. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, acts of intolerance and/or malice directed at individuals or groups and delivered in oral, written, or electronic form.
Intentional disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other college activities, operation or functions, including the failure to appear before college officials or disciplinary bodies when directed to do so.
Disorderly conduct on College-owned, -operated, or -controlled property or at College-sponsored functions. Disorderly conduct shall include acts which violate the rights of others, which tend to breach the peace, or which are deemed lewd, indecent, or obscene.
Unauthorized entry into or occupation of or trespass upon College facilities or property.
Unauthorized use of the name of the College or the names of member organizations in the College community.
Intentional abuse of a position of trust or responsibility within the College community.
Furnishing of false information, with intent to deceive, to members of the College community who are acting in the exercise of their official duties.
Failure to follow directions given by College officials or staff members in the exercise of their official duties.
Failure to abide by sanctions or penalties properly imposed by the College or disciplinary bodies.
Aiding or abetting any violation of the Honor Code.
Any other conduct deemed by the College to be undesirable or unacceptable, or which interferes with or threatens the College’s ability to fulfill its educational purposes.
NOTE: A student may be accused of more than one violation as a result of a single incident.
Ignorance of a rule or regulation shall not be accepted as a defense by the Honor Council.
The College reserves the right to make violations of federal, state, or local law by its students a matter for consideration and action of Honor Council. In addition, misconduct by Meredith students while on other college or university campuses may be cause for Honor Council action. The College may suspend students awaiting court hearings of felony violations.
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Reporting a Violation of the Honor Code
Self-referral
If a student realizes that she has violated the Honor Code, she is encouraged and expected to report herself in a timely manner to the solicitor general.
Report by another student
If a student witnesses or suspects that an infraction has occurred, she has two paths she may follow. In a timely manner, she may confront the suspected student, or she may refer her suspicion directly to the solicitor general or residence life staff.
Report by a member of the faculty or the administrative staff
If a faculty or staff member suspects a student of an Honor Code violation and is able to ascertain the facts of the case, it is that faculty or staff member’s responsibility to inform the student and request that she report herself within 24 hours to the solicitor general or the dean of students. Should the student not make the report, the faculty or staff member should do so.
Report by Campus Police
All Campus Police reports are submitted to the office of the Dean of Students and, when necessary, may be reviewed by the Solicitor General. If the Solicitor General determines that the Honor Code has been violated, she will contact the student.
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Sanctions
One or more of the following sanctions or others deemed appropriate by the Honor Council may be imposed upon students for violations of the Honor Code, depending upon the gravity of the offense:
Papers
A student may be required to write a paper, so she can examine critically her behavior and decision-making process. The length, topic and due date of the paper will be determined by the Honor Council.
Presentations
A student may be required to design or attend an educational presentation or program.
Campus work
A student may be required to render a specified number of hours of unpaid work to be performed on campus as designated by the Honor Council.
Restitution
Reimbursement for damages to or misappropriation of property and/or reimbursement for medical expenses for injury.
Fines
A student may be charged a fine for an Honor Code offense. The amount of the fine may be determined by the Honor Council and used for the benefit of the Meredith College community.
Warning
Written notice that continuation or repetition of the cited conduct found wrongful, within a period of time stated in the warning, may be cause for more severe disciplinary action.
Reprimand
A written censure including the possibility of more severe disciplinary sanctions in the event of the finding of another violation of the Honor Code within a stated period of time. Other components are as follows:
- Notification of parents of traditional-aged students to be considered by the vice president for college programs. If she deems notification necessary, the vice president for college programs will write to the parents and may ask the chair of Honor Council to write a letter as well.
- Honor Council will consider whether students placed on reprimand will be eligible to serve as an officer of any recognized campus organization. Duration of the period of reprimand will be
specified for each case.
- A student may be asked to move out of the residence hall or campus apartment if she is of danger to herself or other students.
Probation
Probation is a set period of time during which the student is to give exceedingly careful attention to her behavior in order to affirm her ability to abide by the Meredith College rules and regulations.
IMPORTANT—PLEASE NOTE that if at any time a student who is on probation is found guilty of another violation of the Honor Code, she may be suspended for a minimum of one semester or expelled from the College. Components of probation are as follows:
- Notification of parents of traditional-aged students to be considered by the vice president for college programs.
Within two weeks following the final hearing, a copy of the written notification of penalty may be sent to the parents by the chair of the Honor Council accompanied by a letter from the vice president for college programs.
- Statement of offense to be placed in a confidential file in the Office of the Dean of Students.
- Notification of academic advisor and Office of Financial Assistance.
- Students while on probation are ineligible to serve as an officer within any recognized campus organization.
- A student may be asked to move out of the residence hall or campus apartment if she is of danger to herself or other students.
Delay of Graduation
Delay of graduation ceremony and receipt of diploma as set forth in the Notice of Delay of Graduation. Other components are as follows:
- If after a 48-hour period following her notification of delay of graduation the student has not appealed, the sanction will be submitted for final approval by the registrar to the vice president for college programs.
- Parents of traditional-aged students will be notified by the vice president of college programs.
- The academic advisor, Office of Financial Assistance, and Office of the Registrar will be notified.
- Action will be recorded on official records in the Office of the Dean of Students and the Office of the Registrar.
- A student may not participate in commencement ceremonies until sanctions have been completed, unless approved through commencement appeal process by vice president for academic programs, in consultation with the dean of students.
- A student whose graduation has been delayed may take classes to complete her degree.
- Students while on delay of graduation are ineligible to serve as an officer within any recognized campus organization.
Suspension
Exclusion from classes and other privileges or activities related to the College for a minimum of one semester as set forth in the Notice of Suspension. Other components are as follows:
- If after a 48-hour period following her notification of suspension the student has not appealed, the decision will be submitted to the registrar to the vice president for college programs.
- In the case of immediate suspension, the student must vacate the campus within 24 hours following the final decision of the vice president for college programs.
- The student may apply for readmission to Meredith after the specified period of suspension.
- Parents of traditional-aged students will be notified by the vice president for college programs.
- The academic advisor and Office of Financial Assistance will be notified.
- Action will be recorded on official records in the Office of the Dean of Students and the Office of the Registrar. A student who chooses to appeal shall continue attending classes during the appeal process. Continued class attendance, however, shall have no effect upon the outcome of the appeal.
Expulsion
Termination of student status. Other attributes are as follows:
- If after a 48-hour period following her notification of expulsion the student has not appealed, the decision will be submitted to the registrar for final approval by the vice president for college programs.
- In the case of immediate expulsion, the student must vacate the campus within 24 hours following the decision of the vice president for college programs.
- The student shall not have the privilege to apply for readmission to the College. Expulsion shall be recorded on official college records in the Office of the Registrar and the Office of the Dean of Students.
- A student who chooses to appeal shall continue attending classes during the appeal process; continued class attendance, however, shall have no effect on the outcome of the appeal.
- Parents of traditional-aged students will be notified by the vice president for college programs.
- The academic advisor and Office of Financial Assistance will be notified.
NOTE: Any of the penalties listed in this chapter resulting from cases involving academic dishonesty shall include the right of the professor to levy any additional academic penalty he or she shall deem appropriate.
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Appeals of Honor Council Action
A student may appeal Honor Council action to the Review Board. To do so she should deliver written notice of her appeal to the Registrar by noon of the Wednesday following her Honor Council hearing. The Notice of Appeal must state clearly the reason for the appeal. (See the By-laws: Article III section 3C2) The Review Board Hearing shall typically occur on the Friday following the Notice of Appeal.
The appellant shall have a maximum of five minutes to present her appeal to the Review Board.
The action of the Review Board is final except for the right of the student charged to appeal to the vice president for college programs in cases of delay of graduation, suspension or expulsion. A student may appeal a Review Board decision by presenting her written appeal to the Registrar within 72 hours of the Review Board Hearing. The Registrar will then present the appeal accompanied with relevant case documents to the vice president for college programs for her review and decision.
Following consultation with an advisory committee made up of the vice president for academic programs, the chair of the Faculty Council, and the chair of the Student Life Committee, the vice president for college programs shall reach a decision and give formal, written notice to the student and to the chair of the Honor Council within ten days after receiving the notice of appeal. The action of the vice president for college programs is final.
Appeals from an Honor Council hearing presented during fall exam week will be heard at the beginning of the following semester unless the case involves a graduating senior. Appeals presented during spring semester exam week will be heard if possible.
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Appeals of Apartment Fines
A student may appeal an apartment fine to the Apartment Hearings Committee. The decision of the Apartment Hearings Committee on fine appeals is final.
Appeals of Residence Hall Fines
A student may appeal a residence hall fine to the Residence Hall Hearings Committee by giving written notice of her appeal to the clerk of the Residence Hall Hearings Committee within 48 hours of receipt of the notification of the fine. The written notice must identify what fine is being appealed and why the fine is being appealed. The clerk will notify the appellant of the date and time of the appeals hearing.
At the appeals hearing, the clerk will introduce any material and/or character witnesses. The appellant shall have a maximum of five minutes to present her appeal. Members of the Committee sitting on an appeal may ask questions of the material witnesses and appellant. The decision of the Residence Hall Hearings Committee on fine appeals is final.
CRC Students
Students participating in the Cooperative Raleigh Colleges (CRC) Program who are accused of academic dishonesty are liable to the judiciary process of the host institution.
Commuter Students
Both traditional and nontraditional–aged commuter students’ cases, like those of any other student, will be heard by the Honor Council.
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Good Social Standing
A student is considered to be in good social standing with the College if she has no pending Honor Council case, if she completes by the deadline any educational sanction given by Honor Council, and if she is not serving a term of probation, delay of graduation, suspension or expulsion.
If a student is not in good social standing, a hold will be placed on the student's transcript and she will not be eligible for graduation until the sanctions have been completed.
Honor System Records
Honor Council, Review Board, and Residence Hall Hearings Committee and Apartment Hearings committee records are maintained by advisors and chairs of each branch. Official records in the Office of the Dean of Students are kept ten years after completion of a penalty (Exception: records of expulsion are on permanent file.)
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Jurisdiction of the College
Students are expected to maintain at all times a high standard of personal conduct in keeping with Meredith principles. The College reserves the right to suspend, expel or to exclude at any time any student whose academic standing or conduct is regarded by Meredith as undesirable or unacceptable.
Honor Council Officers and Members 2012-13
Chairperson: Renu Kaur
Solicitor General: Caitlyn DeBona
Support Counselor: Lenelle Welch
Secretary: Brandy Haney
Clerk: TBA
Senior Representatives: Rachel Atkinson, Sydnee Chavis
Junior Representatives: TBA
Sophomore Representatives: Hailey Harris, Ashley Thomas
Freshman Representatives: To be elected
AMC Representatives: Nooria Razai, Sahley Razai
WINGS Representatives:To be elected
Administrative Advisor:
Ann Gleason, Dean of Students
Advisor Designees: Katie Fraser; Allison van den Berg
Honor Council Faculty Representatives:
Alisa Johnson, John Mecham, Jean Rick, Michiko Yamada
Review Board Officers and Members
Chair:Amanda Baity
Secretary: TBA
Members: Angel Jackson, Brittany Scuotto
Advisor: Amanda Steele-Middleton, Registrar
Review Board Faculty Representatives:Lyn Aubrecht, Jeff Langenderfer
Residence Hall Hearings Committee
Officers and Members
Residence Hall Association Vice Chair: Jolean Brann
Clerk: TBA
Members: All Residence Hall Presidents
Advisors: Allison van den Berg
Apartment Hearings Committee
Officers and Members
To be appointed fall 2012
NOTE: For further information related to the Honor System refer to the SGA Constitution (Article XI) and By-Laws.
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