Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Graduate Honor Code?
The Graduate Honor Code establishes academic integrity among graduate students. All incoming graduate students are notified of the honor code upon application to Virginia Tech. By accepting admission, they agree to comply with the Graduate Honor Code, which requires honesty and ethical behavior in all academic pursuits.

Why does the Graduate Honor System (GHS) exist?
The GHS upholds and enforces the Graduate Honor Code. The GHS exists to educate students and faculty about the Graduate Honor Code, to investigate and hear all cases that are referred to the GHS, and to impose a penalty when a student is found guilty.

Where can I find more information on the GHS?
The Constitution of the Graduate Honor System details GHS procedures, rights of accused students, and rights of referrers. The procedures in the Constitution are strictly adhered to in all GHS matters. The Constitution is found in the appendix of the Graduate Catalog.

What are some violations of the Graduate Honor Code?
There are four violations, which can occur in study, research, teaching, or extension:

1. Cheating: “Cheating is defined to encompass the giving or receiving of any unauthorized aid, assistance, or unfair advantage on any form of academic work.” The most frequent referrals to the GHS involve cheating on take-home and/or open-book examinations.
2. Plagiarism: “Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating. It is defined as copying the language, structure, idea, and/or thoughts of another and claiming or attempting to imply that they are one's own work. It includes the omitting of quotation marks when references are copied directly, improper paraphrasing, or inadequate referencing of source.” Most referrals of plagiarism to the GHS involve term papers.
3. Falsification: “Falsifying any circumstance relevant to his or her academic work.” Examples include acts such as forgery, changing academic documents, and lying about research results.
4. Academic Sabotage: “Academic sabotage is purposeful vandalism directed against any academic endeavor or equipment.” Examples include introducing computer viruses, destroying equipment used in teaching or research, and tampering with laboratory experiments.

Who can report a case?
Any Virginia Tech faculty member, staff person, or student who witnesses a possible violation should report it to the GHS. If you are unsure about whether to report an incident, you may first inquire by phone to the Chief Justice or the GHS Advisor. If you decide that the matter should be reported, it should be officially submitted in writing, on a form provided for this purpose.

Can faculty address violations personally, rather than going through the GHS?
No. The GHS Constitution designates authority and jurisdiction in cases of an academic nature to the GHS. Therefore, faculty members do not have the authority to charge, convict, or punish a student for a violation of the Honor Code. By forwarding a suspected violation to the GHS for investigation, the GHS and the University assume responsibility for the case. In the event that a faculty member takes unilateral action, any subsequent claims or litigation that may arise as a result of such action shall be the full and complete responsibility of the faculty member.

What happens to someone who is accused of a Graduate Honor Code violation?
Once a case is reported, a block is immediately applied to the accused student's records so that the student cannot graduate, drop courses, or obtain transcripts until the case is resolved. An investigator (assigned by the GHS) then interviews all the involved parties and collects evidence pertaining to the case. This evidence is presented to an investigative board (comprised of graduate students and faculty members) who decide that either (1) the case should be dismissed for lack of evidence, or (2) the case should proceed to a judicial panel. A judicial panel is a separate group of faculty and students who determine guilt or innocence by reviewing the evidence and directly questioning those involved in the case. If they find the student guilty, they also recommend a penalty that is imposed by the Dean of the Graduate School.

What are the possible penalties for a Graduate Honor Code violation?
The minimum penalty for a guilty verdict is a "zero" on the assignment, plus the student is placed on GHS probation for the remainder of his or her graduate studies. Additional penalties are usually imposed and often include placing a notation of the violation on the permanent transcript and/or assigning a grade of F for the course. More serious violations can result in suspension and permanent dismissal from the university. Although these penalties are very severe, there are typically cases that result in these outcomes each year.

What are some common ways in which graduate students violate the honor code?
Typically violations occur when students feel that they are "in over their head," either from a class that is too difficult or due to personal circumstances. Often these students feel that they cannot complete the work on their own, so they break the rules to complete the work on time. Common violations include working together on homework assignments or take-home exams that are supposed to be done individually, using notes or other materials in a closed-book exam, or plagiarizing part or all of a term paper. An observant professor or classmate can easily spot all of these violations.

How can students be sure to avoid potential Honor Code violations?
1. Always ask what is expected of you. If you are not sure of the rules (open or closed book; individual or group work), ASK!! Your professors would much rather answer these questions than report you for a potential violation.

2. If you are writing a term paper, review the proper ways to paraphrase, quote, and cite sources. For a general guide on how to avoid plagiarism, see Appendix IIIA of the GHS Constitution. If you have more specific questions, ask your professor or advisor.

3. If you are having difficulties completing an assignment for any reason, let your professor know about your circumstances. Your professor might be flexible on the deadline or be able to steer you to the right resources. Even if they don't offer much assistance, remember that the minimum penalty for a guilty verdict already includes a "zero" on the assignment, and an Honor System case will produce much more stress in your life. Turning in your best honest effort is ALWAYS better than risking getting caught in an Honor Code violation.