Honor Council
For the last century, a student-initiated honor system has governed integrity in all academic assignments, while providing a platform for the fair consideration of allegations.
Students, faculty, and administrators participate in the College Honor Council, which investigates all reports of academic misconduct. Students on the Honor Council play an important role in the resolution of every case, and Emory College students must vote to approve any changes to the Honor Code.
Read The Honor CodeAcademic Misconduct
Academic misconduct is generally defined as any action or inaction, which is offensive to the integrity and honesty of the members of the academic community. Academic misconduct may include familiar behaviors, such as cheating on exams or plagiarizing, as well as less familiar actions outlined in Appendix 2 of the Honor Code.
Students who feel overwhelmed and may be tempted to cheat should consider the potential consequences of academic misconduct, which are always more serious than turning an assignment in late or not turning it in at all. If you are struggling to complete an assignment on time, make an effort to contact the professor and find out what options you have. If you are having general academic or personal difficulties, Emory provides a number of resources including student support services, counseling services, and the Writing Center.
Consultations
Honor Council administrators are available to consult with any member of the Emory College community about matters of academic integrity. Faculty are welcome to schedule consultations to explore how to encourage academic integrity through their coursework, assessments, and administration of exams. Students who observe academic misconduct or have other concerns may also meet with us.
To schedule a virtual consultation, please email EC.Honor@emory.edu.
Reporting A Suspected Case
All members of the Emory community are obligated to report any suspicions of academic misconduct. To report a possible Honor Code violation, contact Blaire Wilson, Associate Director of the Honor Council, at 404-727-8928 or EC.Honor@emory.edu. She will gather information about the incident and assign a student-faculty team to investigate the case.
We have a number of resources available for students reported for misconduct, and for faculty who need to report a suspected violation. These documents outline the process and some frequently asked questions.
Getting Involved
Students
For students interested in serving on the Honor Council, the application process is typically open at the start of the spring semester. Students may also apply to be part of the Honor Council Appeal Panel.
In addition to investigating and hearing cases, all student Honor Council members enroll in ECS 300: Honor Council Practicum each fall and spring semester they serve. The practicum is a 2-credit (satisfactory/unsatisfactory only) course that provides training about Honor Council procedures and discussion of topics related to the field of academic integrity.
Faculty
Faculty members assist Honor Council student members during investigations and participate as voting members of the council during hearings. A call for participation is announced each August, but faculty interested in serving also may contact Dr. Jason Ciejka, Associate Dean in the Office for Undergraduate Education.
Mission Statement
At the heart of Emory University, which remains steadfast in its ethical principles, lies the conviction that academic integrity is the foundation of our shared pursuit of knowledge and truth. The Honor Code of Emory College furthers the University’s mission by securing the integrity of all academic assignments and matters, while seeking to inspire students and faculty to participate in a community of mutual responsibility, accountability, and trust.
The Emory College Honor Council, which includes both students and faculty, strives to be a model for the exceptional administration of a collegiate academic misconduct process. The Honor Council’s mission is fourfold. It seeks to:
- investigate and adjudicate all allegations of academic misconduct in an impartial, professional, and timely manner;
- support the student body by educating incoming students about academic integrity, by advising students about the misconduct process, and by maintaining accurate and confidential records;
- foster the intellectual and professional development of individual student Honor Council members through comprehensive training and educational programs; and
- assist faculty in the College by providing instruction about the Honor Code and the process for resolving reports.