"On my honor I have neither
given nor received
aid in completing this assignment."
Overview of the Honor System
History
Instructors' Responsibility
Students' Responsibility
Reporting Violations
Honor Commission Hearing and Confidentiality
Appeals Process
Confidentiality
The Honor System is a process of student self-governing
for those enrolled in courses in the College
of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources.
It operates on the premise that most students
are honest and perform best in situations where
their honesty, and the honesty of others, is
not in doubt. Its primary function is to support
the principles of integrity and honor, which
are the cornerstones of academic success. The
Honor System acts to limit academic dishonesty
through the use of student self-supervision
and to penalize those who are dishonest through
the use of peer evaluation and penalty.
Under the Honor System, the chief responsibility
for proctoring examinations, quizzes, and assignments
lies with the individuals enrolled in the course.
Under the Honor System, students themselves
complete academic activities as assigned and
counsel or report those who do not.
The College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and
Natural Resources’ Honor Commission is the student
body that educates students, staff, and faculty
about the Honor System and evaluates cases of
academic misconduct. It consists of nine undergraduate
students and one graduate student who call witnesses,
hear evidence, and recommend penalties in cases
of academic dishonesty. Three freshmen members
are selected annually by the standing Commission
to serve a three-year term beginning their second
year. The graduate student member is selected
annually by the Commission. One faculty member
from the College of Agriculture, Food System,
and Natural Resources is elected by the standing
Honor Commission to serve a three-year term.
Names of the members of the Honor Commission
are available from the Associate Dean for Academic
Programs’ office in 315 Morrill Hall.
The Honor System was proposed by the NDSU student
government in 1955. After study and acceptance
by a committee of students and faculty, students
in the College of Agriculture voted to establish
the Honor System in their college for a trial
period of one year. At the end of that
period, the students of the college voted to
continue the Honor System. In elections
held every four years since that time, students
have voted in favor of the Honor System.
A two-thirds majority of the votes cast is needed
to continue the system.
Each instructor is requested to include a description
of the Honor System on their syllabi and to
explain it to the students taking their course.
The honor pledge is “On my honor I have neither
given nor received aid in completing this assignment.”
This statement should be included on all examinations,
quizzes, papers, problem sets, and any other
materials designated as individual efforts that
are required for completion of the class. Instructors
are asked to reject any individual assignments
that do not include a signed pledge. If academic
dishonesty is suspected by the instructor or
brought to attention of the instructor by a
student, the instructor should address the issue
with the Honor Commission. Assigning the task
of evaluation and penalty to the peers of the
accused maintains the principles of integrity
held by the college, conveys that academic dishonesty
is not the accepted standard within their peer
group, and reduces the instructor’s time obligation.
If academic misconduct is found, the instructor
may accept or modify the penalty recommended
by the Honor Commission.
Each student must read and sign the honor pledge
on each assignment that is designated as an
individual effort. It is the student’s responsibility
to take actions that will contribute to the
elimination of academic dishonesty. If a student
witnesses academic misconduct, he or she may
attempt to correct the situation by announcing
that academic dishonesty is occurring, by speaking
to the individual, or by reporting the incident.
As a rule, the identity of the student who witnesses
the academic misconduct is held in confidence.
As a self-governing entity, students are encouraged
to suggest modifications to improve the Honor
System. These suggestions can be offered through
the Associate Dean for Academic Programs’ office
or to any member of the Honor Commission.
A student may report a violation of the Honor
Code in person or in writing to the instructor,
the Honor Commission, or the Associate Dean
for Academic Programs of the College of Agriculture,
Food Systems, and Natural Resources. If possible,
violations should be reported within one week
of witnessing academic dishonesty. Instructors
are strongly encouraged to use the Honor Commission
to demonstrate that academic dishonesty is not
tolerated by members of the faculty or by the
students of the College. Names of the members
of the Honor Commission are available from the
Associate Dean for Academic Programs' office
located at 315 Morrill Hall, phone 231-8790.
When a case of potential academic dishonesty
is reported, the Honor Commission will meet
to review the pertinent evidence as soon as
is reasonably possible (usually within two weeks
of the date the misconduct is reported). The
Commission has the power to call witnesses and
to take testimony. If, from the evidence presented,
the Commission determines that a violation has
taken place, it will recommend disciplinary
action. Disciplinary action may include, but
is not limited to, failure or grade reduction
in the course; failure or grade reduction on
the examination, quiz, paper or project in question;
or faculty recommendation for suspension or
expulsion. A report of the Commission's findings
and recommendation is given to both the instructor
and the accused student.
Actions of the Honor Commission are confidential.
No cases are discussed outside of the Commission
meetings. The identities of witnesses and other
individuals connected with a case are not revealed,
even to other individuals involved in that particular
case. Anonymous summaries of all cases are reported
to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs
of the College of Agriculture, Food Systems,
and Natural Resources annually.
An appeal of the Honor Commission's decision
and/or recommendation can be made to the Student
Progress Committee of the College of Agriculture,
Food Systems, and Natural Resources by the accused
or the instructor involved. Appeals are to be
made through the Associate Dean for Academic
Programs' office within two weeks of the Honor
Commission's recommendation. The appeals process
shall be as outlined in North Dakota State University
Rights and Responsibilities of Community: A
Code of Student Behavior, Part B, Related University
Policy Statements, XI, - Academic Dishonesty
- Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct.
A copy of the operating procedures for
the Honor Commission is on file in the Associate
Dean for Academic Program's Office, 315 Morrill
Hall, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
58105.
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