Honor Code

ACTION OPTIONS

Retention of Record
Retention of Record is used when the Honor Code Office (HCO) receives requests from Housing Services, or library violations referred by the University Police, academic faculty, departments, or colleges. In the case of multiple referrals, the HCO may become involved with the cooperating unit in working with the student in regard to the Honor Code issues.

Counsel and Education
Counsel and Education is used when a student has committed an Honor Code violation which is one of immaturity, thoughtlessness, or lack of judgment rather than disregard for and intent to violate the principles and behaviors associated with the Honor Code. The student is counseled regarding the nature and significance of the violation. The behavioral requirements of the Honor Code are clarified. There is no further contact with the student unless there are subsequent reported Honor Code violations.

Honor Code Warning
Honor Code Warning is used when the student may not have been aware of the seriousness of the violation and the impact on self and others was limited. The student is given a warning letter explaining the behavioral requirements of the Honor Code. The letter may also outline any conditions that are required to be satisfactorily completed in order for the student to return to good Honor Code standing. This option is not to be used for such violations as alcohol use and/or theft.

Referral to Responsible Person
Referral to Responsible Person is used alone or in conjunction with other actions, when a student's insight regarding his/her Honor Code violation can be most effectively enhanced by working with someone who can serve as a role model. Individuals who most frequently fall into the category of mentors are bishops, professional counselors, family members, and faculty members. If there are no additional violations, no further contact is maintained with the student.

Honor Code Probation
Honor Code Probation is used when a student has committed an Honor Code violation which has serious implications for self and others. In order to be returned to good Honor Code standing, the student is required to satisfactorily complete specified conditions.

Left School On Own
Left School on Own is used when a student would otherwise be suspended from the university for violation of the Honor Code and chooses, in light of the information presented, to voluntarily discontinue. The student discontinues from the university (including current classes) and is prevented from subsequent enrollment until satisfactory completion of the specified conditions is verified and the Honor Code registration hold has been removed.

Honor Code Suspension
Honor Code Suspension is used when the student's violation is egregious or repetitive. The student may be required to discontinue immediately from current classes or at the end of the term or semester as determined by individual circumstances. The student is prevented from subsequent enrollment until satisfactory completion of the specified conditions is verified and the Honor Code registration hold has been removed.

Honor Code Dismissal
Honor Code Dismissal is used (a) when a student, after having been suspended once, returns to the university and again seriously violates the Honor Code or (b) when a student is involved in egregious violations, particularly if a serious threat to others is present. The student may be required to discontinue immediately from current classes or at the end of the term or semester as determined by individual circumstances and is permanently prevented from subsequent enrollment.

Honor Code Transcript Notation
Honor Code Transcript Notation is used when a student's behavior is determined to be of sufficient risk to others or when there is academic dishonesty of probable interest to other institutions, that the university may have a responsibility to caution those with a legitimate need to know that a problem exists by placing a transcript notation. A notation would not be placed for violations particular to the LDS Church and of no civil or criminal interest to others.

Withholding the Posting of a Degree or Denying Graduation Participation
Withholding the Posting of a degree or denying graduation participation is used in all cases of probation and on a case-by-case basis, when criteria such as the following exist for withholding the posting or denying graduation for violation of the Honor Code when all other requirements for graduation have been met. As noted in the BYU Bulletin: Undergraduate Catalog, "Graduation may be delayed or denied for students who violate the BYU Honor Code, whose ecclesiastical endorsement has been withdrawn, or who have unmet financial obligation with the university." The criteria include:

1. Excommunication, disfellowshipment, or disaffiliation from the Church
2. Serious violation of position of trust or responsibility within the university
3. Serious criminal activity or offense, including predatory behavior or crimes against another person, or the discovery of such a prior offense
4. Egregious academic dishonesty
5. Discovery of a violation that occurred prior to graduation and if it had been detected earlier would have resulted in dismissal from the university
6. If a student is not in good Honor Code standing, the university will not award a degree. Any HCO hold, warning, or probation must have been properly cleared before graduation.

All decisions to delay or deny posting of a degree or participating in graduation ceremonies due to misconduct are made in consultation with the university Office of General Counsel and the Graduation Evaluation Office. If the diploma is to be held, the student may request a university review through the dean of students.

Source: Graduation Information; Adherence to University Standards; 1997-98 Undergraduate Catalog.

Off-Campus Housing Office Hold Placed (#1)
A #1 Off-Campus Housing Office Hold is placed at the request of the Off-Campus Housing Office.

Honor Code Hold Placed (#2)
A #2 Honor Code Hold is placed in conjunction with action options 6, 7, and 8 (Left School On Own, Honor Code Suspension, and Honor Code Dismissal) or when a credible report of an Honor Code violation is received subsequent to the student leaving the university.

Ecclesiastical Hold Placed (#3)
A #3 Ecclesiastical Hold is placed as a consequence of ecclesiastical actions.