Script

 for  Honor  Court  Hearing  

Introduction,  Plea,  and  Hearing  of  Evidence  

[Turn  recording  device  on]  

VPAA:  “We  are  here  today  to  consider  a  case  of  student  academic  integrity.  In  accordance  with  
the  Family  Educational  Rights  and  Privacy  Act,  these  proceedings  are  closed  to  prevent  the  
disclosure  of  private  student  records.  Do  I  have  a  motion  to  go  into  a  closed  session  of  the  
Shenandoah  University  Honor  Court?”  

[One  Court  member  should  make  the  motion,  another  should  second  it]  

“For  the  record,  ___________  made  the  motion  to  go  into  closed  session  and  _________  
seconded  it.”  

[A  vote  should  be  taken  to  signify  all  in  agreement]  

“We  have  a  motion  to  go  into  closed  session.    All  in  agreement,  signify  so  by  saying  ‘Aye.’    All  
opposed.    The  motion  carries;  we  are  now  in  closed  session.”  

[Once  in  closed  session,  continue  as  follows]  

1. AID:  “Let’s  go  around  the  table  and  have  everyone  introduce  him  or  herself,  including  your
role  in  this  hearing.”

2. AID  to  accused  student:  “This  is  a  hearing  of  the  Shenandoah  University  Honor  Court. Please  
remember  that  we  are  on  our  honor  during  these  proceedings  as  we  are  at  all  times  as
members  of  the  University  community.    This  proceeding  is  being  recorded  and  it  is  necessary
for  everyone  to  speak  directly  and  clearly  into  the  recording  device.    The  printed  and  voice
record  of  this  proceeding  will  kept  in  the  Office  of  Academic  Affairs  and  in  accordance  with
state  and  federal  law.    A  brief  statement  of  the  charge,  verdict,  and,  if  relevant,  sanction,  may
be  released  to  the  public  in  a  manner  that  does  not  reveal  the  student’s  identity.”

3. AID  to  accused  student:  “You  appear  before  this  Court  on  the  following  charge:”[state
charge  only]

4. AID  to  accused  student:  “Have  you  been  informed  of  your  rights  as  an  accused  
student?” [Accused  student  should  respond  verbally;  if  no,  read  from  SU  Honor  Code]  

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5. AID  to  accused  student:  “Have  you  been  informed  of  the  possible  sanctions  if  you  are found  
in  violation  of  the  Honor  Code?”  [Accused  student  should  respond  verbally;  if  no,  read from  
SU  Honor  Code  III.3]

6. AID  to  accused  student:  “Do  you  understand  how  the  SU  Honor  Code  defines  this  
charge?” [Accused  student  should  respond  verbally;  if  no,  read  relevant  definition(s)  from  SU  
Honor Code  III.2]

7. AID  to  accused  student:  “At  this  time,  what  is  your  plea?”  (guilty  or  not  guilty)  [If  accused
student  is  appealing,  read  plea  from  “Academic  Integrity  Meeting  Report”  Form]

8. AID  to  Honor  Court:  “Does  any  member  of  this  Court  have  previous  knowledge  of  the
offense,  circumstances  surrounding  it,  or  the  accused  student  to  disclose  at  this  time?”  

“Does  anyone  have  any  reason  to  seek  the  disqualification  of  any  member  of  this  Court?”  

9. AID  to  Honor  Court:  The  Convening  Officer  now  will  take  us  briefly  through  the  materials  in
the  file,  so  that  we  may  make  sure  that  everyone  has  everything.  [Convening  Officer  introduces
materials  in  file]

AID  to  the  accused  student:    “Have  you  seen  all  of  these  materials?”    [If  no,  take  a  few  minutes  
for  the  student  to  examine  all  of  the  materials]  

10. AID  to  Honor  Court:  “At  this  time,  the  faculty  reporter  will  review  the  Honor  Code violation  
that  the  student  is  being  charged  with  and  provide  a  summary  of  events.”  [Faculty reporter  
should  give  statement]

11. AID  to  accused  student:  “You  (or  your  advocate)  now  have  the  opportunity  to  respond  to
the  alleged  violation  and  summary  of  events.”

12. AID  to  Convening  Officer:  “The  Convening  Officer  now  may  present  evidence  in  support of  
the  charge,  question  the  faculty  reporter  or  accused  student,  or  bring  in  witnesses.”  

[Witnesses  will  be  brought  in  individually  by  the  Convening  Officer]  

13. AID  to  witness:  “This  is  a  hearing  of  the  Shenandoah  University  Honor  Court.    All  persons
participating  in  these  proceedings  are  on  their  honor  as  we  are  at  all  times  as  members  of  this
University  community.    This  hearing,  while  being  recorded,  is  strictly  confidential  and
information  concerning  the  proceedings  will  be  released  only  under  certain  conditions  as
understood  by  the  accused  student.    Please  speak  clearly  and  directly  into  the  recording
device.”

14. AID  to  Convening  Officer:  “The  Convening  Officer  may  proceed  with  questions  for  the
witness.”  

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15. AID  to  accused  student:  “You  (or  your  advocate)  may  now  address  questions  to  the
witness.

16. AID  to  Honor  Court:  “Do  members  of  the  Court  have  questions  for  the  witness?”

17. AID  to  witness:  “Thank  you  for  your  assistance.    You  are  excused.”  

Follow  procedures  15  y  17  for  each  witness.  

18. AID  to  accused  student:  “You  (or  your  advocate)  may  now  call  or  recall  any  witnesses. You  
also  may  call  into  question  any  part  of  the  evidence  presented  earlier  here  today.  Do  you  or
your  advocate  wish  to  call  any  witnesses?”

[Witnesses  will  be  brought  in  individually  by  the  Convening  Officer]  

19. AID  to  witness:  “This  is  a  hearing  of  the  Shenandoah  University  Honor  Court.    All  persons
participating  in  these  proceedings  are  on  their  honor  as  we  are  at  all  times  as  members  of  this
University  community.    This  hearing,  while  being  recorded,  is  strictly  confidential  and
information  concerning  the  proceedings  will  be  released  only  under  certain  conditions  as
understood  by  the  accused  student.    Please  speak  clearly  and  directly  into  the  recording
device.”

20. AID  to  accused  student:  “You  or  your  advocate  now  may  proceed  with  questions  for  the
witness.”

21. AID  to  Convening  Officer:  “The  Convening  Officer  may  address  questions  to  the  witness.”

22. AID  to  Honor  Court:  “Do  members  of  the  Court  have  questions  for  the  witness?”

23. AID  to  witness:  “Thank  you  for  your  assistance.    You  are  excused.”  

Follow  procedures  19  -­‐  23  for  each  witness.  

24. AID  to  accused  student:  “Would  you  like  to  call  into  question  any  part  of  the  evidence
presented  earlier  today?”

25. AID  to  All:  “Are  there  questions  from  the  Convening  Officer?    Do  you  (or  your  advocate)
have  any  questions?    Do  members  of  the  Court  have  questions?”  

“Would  anyone  like  a  few  minutes  to  prepare  for  closing  statements?”  
[If  necessary,  call  a  recess]  

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26. AID  to  Convening  Officer:  “The  Convening  Officer  will  now  provide  a  closing  
statement.” [Convening  Officer  should  stand  to  give  statement]

27. AID  to  accused  student:  “You  (or  your  advocate)  may  now  provide  a  closing  
statement.” [Accused  student  or  advocate  should  stand  to  give  statement]

28. AID  to  accused  student:  “The  Honor  Court  members  now  will  discuss  the  evidence  and
testimony  to  render  a  decision.  We  then  will  call  you  back  in  to  hear  the  decision.  If  you  are
found  guilty,  you  then  will  have  the  opportunity  to  make  another  statement  before  the  Honor
Court  members  discuss  the  sanctions.  As  part  of  your  student  rights,  you  may  choose  whether
or  not  the  faculty  reporter  is  present  during  the  reading  of  the  decision  and  sanctions  (if
applicable).  If  not,  I  will  notify  the  faculty  reporter  of  the  decision  and  sanctions  (if  applicable)
after  this  hearing.”

29. AID  to  All:  “All  persons  who  are  not  members  of  the  Court  are  excused  so  the  honor  court
may  render  a  decision  on  this  case.”  

[Turn  recording  device  off]  

The  Court  first  should  try  to  agree  on  the  facts  of  the  case  -­‐-­‐  what  does  the  evidence  indicate  
happened?    Next,  the  Court  should  discuss  whether  the  facts  indicate  a  violation  of  the  Honor  
Code.    A  guilty  verdict  must  be  based  on  a  preponderance  of  evidence  and  majority  vote.  The  
final  vote  should  be  taken  by  a  written,  secret  ballot.  

Hearing  of  Decision  

*If  verdict  is  NOT  GUILTY*  continue  below,  if  verdict  is  Guilty  proceed  to  #33

[Reconvene  and  turn  recording  device  on]  

30. AID  to  accused  student:  “The  Honor  Court  has  considered  the  evidence  and  testimony
pertaining  to  following  charge:”  [Present  charge  based  on  evidence]

31. AID  to  accused  student:  After  careful  and  complete  deliberation,  this  court  has  rendered a  
decision  of  NOT  GUILTY.  Any  records  pertaining  to  this  case  will  be  kept  in  the  Office  of
Academic  Affairs.  Importantly,  though,  no  notation  of  the  alleged  honor  code  violation  will  be
placed  on  your  permanent  record.”  [Convening  Officer  should  complete  “Honor  Court  Hearing
Report”  Form]

32. AID  to  All:  “This  Honor  Court  hearing  is  adjourned.”  

[Turn  recording  device  off]  

*If  verdict  is  GUILTY*

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[Reconvene  and  turn  recording  device  on]  

33. AID  to  accused  student:  “The  Honor  Court  has  considered  the  evidence  and  testimony
pertaining  to  following  charge:”  [Present  charge  based  on  evidence]

34. AID  to  accused  student:  “After  careful  and  complete  deliberation,  this  court  has  rendered a  
decision  of  GUILTY.  Do  you  (or  your  advocate)  wish  to  share  any  strongly  mitigating
circumstances  that  might  be  helpful  to  us  as  we  decide  upon  appropriate  sanctions?”

35. AID  to  Convening  Officer:  “Does  the  Convening  Officer  wish  to  share  any  other aggravating  
circumstances  that  might  be  helpful  to  us  as  we  decide  upon  appropriate sanctions?”

36. AID  to  All:  “All  persons  who  are  not  members  of  this  Court  are  excused  so  that  we  may
decide  appropriate  sanctions.”

[Turn  recording  device  off]  

Discussion  of  appropriate  sanctions.  Voting  should  be  by  written,  secret  ballot.  

Hearing  of  Sanctions  

[Reconvene  and  turn  recording  device  on]  

37. AID  to  accused  student:  “The  Honor  Court  has  given  this  case  careful  consideration  and
have  decided  upon  the  following  sanctions.”

38. AID  to  accused  student:  “According  to  the  SU  Honor  Code,  all  students  found  guilty  of
violating  the  SU  Honor  Code  will  be  placed  on  Honor  Code  probation  until  departure  from  the
University  and  sent  a  letter  of  reprimand  that  censures  the  Honor  Code  violation  in  writing.
Please  know  that  an  additional  Honor  Code  violation  while  on  honor  probation  can  result  in
suspension  or  dismissal  from  SU.”  [AID  notifies  guilty  student  of  additional  sanctions, including  
whether  or  not  a  mark  will  be  made  on  the  student’s  permanent  record/transcript.]

39. AID  to  accused  student:  “The  decision  and  sanctions  are  final.”  [Convening  Officer  should
complete  “Honor  Court  Hearing  Report”  Form]

40. AID  to  All:  “This  Honor  Court  hearing  is  adjourned.”  

[Turn  recording  device  off]  

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