Reasons for an Honor Code Hearing

Someone has reported you for an alleged academic integrity violation. Examples of violations include:

• Cheating
• Plagiarism
• Falsification
• Complicity

Read the Official USC Honor Code.

 

What to Expect

You will meet with a conduct administrator for about 60 minutes to discuss the alleged violation. This is typically an informal, one-on-one discussion. You'll learn the nature of your referral and see any test, papers, SafeAssign reports or other materials provided by the reporter, and be able to present similarly relevant documentation. Since the OAI is the expert on the Honor Code, the final authority on which Honor Code policies apply rests with the OAI.

Due to the nature of the case it may be critical for the conduct administrator to gather additional information. Therefore, a follow up meeting to resolve the case may be scheduled.

What You Should Bring

• Bring any relevant information that you think may not already be supplied by your professor.
• If you believe someone witnessed the incident in question, please bring their contact information to your meeting.

Expand allMissing Your Meeting

Since our process is designed to be educational, we encourage your participation. If you fail to attend your first scheduled meeting, a few things may happen:

• a registration hold will be placed on your records.
• you will be unable to register for classes or make changes to your schedule.
• a new meeting will automatically be scheduled for you.

Missing Your Rescheduled Meeting

If you again do not attend, a decision will be made without you present, based on the information available. You will receive a letter via your university email outlining the decision.

Bringing Others
Students who are alleged to have violated the Honor Code may bring one advisor with them to both administrative conferences and Carolina Judicial Council hearings.  This advisor can be a parent, friend, or attorney.  This advisor is meant to support the student as they go through the honor code process, and should not speak for the student. The student will need to fill out a Consent to Release Information Form  for anyone who will attend their meetings with them. 

Expand allImportant information to Know When Working With a Student

The University uses the preponderance of evidence standard when determining if a student is responsible or not responsible for an alleged Honor Code violation (i.e., that it is more likely than not that the alleged violated the Honor Code). 

How to Support Students

• Consult with the student prior to their administrative conference with the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. This can include:
  • Reviewing the incident report or police report submitted with the student.
  • Assisting the student in preparing a statement regarding the alleged involvement or questions to ask during their meeting.
• The student should remain the main point of contact for the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity until their case is resolved. The University will typically communicate with the student, not with the student’s advisor.  Information regarding the student’s case will be sent to the student directly (via email).  The student may then choose to forward any communication with their chosen advisor. 
• Based on FERPA, the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity cannot discuss a student’s education record, including details involving Code of Conduct or Honor Code alleged violations, without the student’s written consent. In order for information to be shared with a student's advisor, the student needs to fill out a Consent to Release Information Form. 

If You Agree with the Administrative Conference Resolution

If you are found responsible for violating university conduct policies, you will be assigned outcomes or sanctions. You may also be assigned an academic sanction from your faculty or instructor of record. Please note that all grade penalties are at the discretion of the instructor. Possible  non-academic sanctions include:

• Educational actions (including tutorials, essays, or workshops)
• Probation
• Suspension
  

Other possible outcomes »

 

If You Disagree with the Administrative Conference Resolution 

You may ask for a hearing with the Carolina Judicial Council if you wish to contest the findings of your initial hearing or if you believe you would be more fairly heard by a panel of your peers.