Resources for Students

FAQs (for all students except those from the School of Law)

1.  I'm an honest student so why do I need to think about the Honor Code?

Academic integrity is a trait that must be practiced all the time.  It requires constant attention, and it should hold a place of importance in the minds of all people.  George Mason University's Honor Code is an agreement made by all members of our community to not “cheat, steal, plagiarize, or lie in matters related to your academic work.”   Having an Honor Code allows us to ensure that every student does his/her own work.  It is here to protect ALL students from others who may want to gain an inappropriate academic advantage over them.

2.  How will I know if a professor has reported me to the Honor Committee?

If a professor files a case with the Office for Academic Integrity (OAI), you will receive an email about the charge at your official GMU email address.  (If your Mason account is not active, a letter will be mailed to your home of record.)  In the email, the Associate Dean who oversees the Honor Committee will explain what charges the professor has brought forward.  She will also list your rights and will ask that you meet with her to discuss the case.   The Associate Dean does NOT make any judgments on your case.  Her purpose in meeting with you is to show you everything in the file and then explain your options.

3.  What happens when I meet with the Associate Dean for the Office for Academic Integrity?

As indicated above, the purpose of the meeting with the Associate Dean is to go over the materials in the file.  After you review them, your options will be explained.  If the case in question represents a first referral to the Honor Committee, you will likely be given three options:

              a.  To make arrangements for a full Honor Committee hearing so that you can

                   present your plea of "not in violation"

              b.  To make arrangements for an abbreviated Honor Committee hearing;  this is

                   a "sanctions-only" hearing in which a student accepts responsibility but

                   would like to have a sanction(s) considered that is/are different from that

                   identified by the professor.

              c.  To accept responsibility and accept the sanction(s) recommended by the

                   professor

If you were responsible for an honor code violation previous to the current case, you will be eligible to consider options (a) or (b) above.  All potential second violations must be reviewed by the Honor Committee.

4.  What if the Honor Code charge I'm facing is due to an error on my part, such as forgetting to cite a source?

Students are held responsible for what they turn in as their own work.  This is why it's extremely important that you check your work carefully before submitting it.  You should also ensure that you submit the work yourself and not allow others to submit it for you.  Please follow the professor's instructions as to how or where to submit work.  Failure to submit assignments as specified by the professor may result in a loss of credit for your work.

5.  How long does it take to set up an Honor Committee hearing?

During the regular semesters, it can take as little as a week or 10 days.  At the end of the regular semesters, it can take longer because of the winter or summer breaks.  Ideally, the hearing is scheduled when all parties are available to attend.  Some cases that are submitted to the Office for Academic Integrity at the end of the spring semester cannot be adjudicated until the following fall semester.

6.  Who serves as the judges on the Honor Committee?

The Honor Committee at Mason is a student-based organization that is limited to 100 members.  All Honor Committee members must be specially trained in order to serve in this capacity.  For any given hearing, we ensure that the charged student does not know any of the panel members (or vice versa) so that a fair and impartial proceeding can take place.

7.  What should I expect for the hearing?

The hearing is a relatively formal process where each side is given an opportunity to present their case.  The script for the hearing is provided as a link on this page.  By reading it before the hearing, you will get a better feel of how things will proceed.

8.  When will the judges tell me their decision?

After all testimony has been presented, the chair of the Honor Committee will ask all other individuals to leave the room so that they can deliberate.  You will be escorted to a waiting area.  Once a decision has been made, all parties are called back to the room to hear it. 

9.  If the case is not decided in my favor, can I appeal the decision of the Honor Committee?

Students have the right to appeal the decision made by the Honor Committee under the following circumstances:

           -If there were procedural irregularities associated with the case

           -If there is new evidence available that was not available to the original hearing

             panel

           -If there is anything of sufficient gravity to put into question the original hearing

            panel's decision

If you believe that one or more of these circumstances have been met, you have seven working days to submit a written appeal (including new documentation if necessary).  These materials must be submitted to SUB I, room 302 no later than the close of business on the seventh working day.  At that point, an appeals panel will review the written materials and determine whether a new hearing is warranted.

Failure to meet the deadline for any reason will result in the forfeiture of the appeals process.