Constitution
In 1977, the student body ratified the first constitution for the Honor Committee. This original Constitution codifies the main tenets of the Honor System such as the criteria under which an act can be considered an Honor offense and the consequences for commission, at the time, a single sanction of expulsion. It also guarantees students facing trial certain rights under the System. In 2023, the Constitution was rewritten to reflect an evolution in the Community of Trust, with a great emphasis on restoration and growth.
Though amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by a 2/3 majority vote of the Honor Committee, ratification of such amendments must be passed by a vote of the student body. Thus, the Honor Committee Constitution accords the student body with the right to change the Honor System directly or override the will of the Honor Committee by popular referendum.
The Honor Committee Constitution, which took effect on July 1, 2023, can be found by clicking this link.
Bylaws
The purpose of the Bylaws of the Honor Committee is to describe generally the powers of the Honor Committee and its associated support officers, as well as the procedures of the Honor System. While the by-laws contain many specific provisions, they are not meant to be an exhaustive list of enumerated powers, responsibilities, and procedures that extend to every imaginable contingency. Instead, they are a general framework from which the Committee, using sound judgment and reason, can deduce the extent of its power and responsibility, and the procedural limitations on the Honor System.
For older versions of the Bylaws, please contact the Chair at [email protected].
*Students who were reported before July 1, 2023, had the opportunity to place their Honor case on hold to resume processing under the newest version of Bylaws, passed on June 25, 2023.
Procedures for Contributory Health Impairment Hearings
The Committee has established procedures for students who wish to claim a Contributory Health Impairment (CHI) or to assert Lack of Capacity (LC).
Delegation of Authority
The Honor Committee derives its authority to adjudicate possible Honor offenses directly from the Board of Visitors. This delegation is explicitly outlined in a resolution published by the Board.