Our honor as community members and professionals is maintained through accountability. We will act in accordance with this code and we expect our peers to do the same. We will act with honor to avoid burdening our peers with a responsibility for our own integrity. Actions not in accordance with the aforementioned standards constitute a violation of this Code.
Self-Reflection
If there is concern that our academic or social conduct represents a violation of the Honor Code, we are obligated to report our behavior by contacting an Ethics and Honor Code Committee member.
Interactions with Others
If there is concern that a peer’s academic or social conduct is in violation of the Honor Code, we must privately confront that individual. It is sometimes difficult to challenge the behavior of a fellow community member. However, it is our responsibility to confront offending parties; failure to do so is a violation of the Code.
As confrontation is often a matter between two individuals or parties, we will exercise discretion and respect privacy when initiating a dialogue to address our concerns. It is essential that these steps of confrontation involve respectful communication and interchange. During the initial confrontation, each party will attempt to achieve mutual understanding. If the parties realize that there has been no violation, the matter is dropped. If the parties realize there has been a violation of the Code, the offending party is obligated to report his/her behavior by contacting an Ethics and Honor Code Committee member within an agreed-upon time frame.
Inability to Resolve
In the event that mutual understanding is not reached during the initial confrontation, the offending party is obligated to report his/her behavior, and the matter will be brought before the committee. If the offending party has neglected to report his/her actions, the confronting party must contact a member of the Ethics and Honor Code Committee, and the matter will be brought before the committee.
In the rare cases where the confronting party believes that his/her personal safety may be threatened, he/she may ask a member of the Ethics and Honor Code Committee to initiate or assist in the dialogue.
Role of the Faculty
In cases of suspected code violations, members of the faculty will follow the same procedures as outlined above; privately resolved matters do not repair the breach of trust inflicted upon the greater community.
The Ethics and Honor Code Committee
The Ethics and Honor Code Committee’s student meetings are private and confidential, including the names of participants, proceedings, discussions, minutes, and recommendations. For students attending any Ethics and Honor Code meetings, the following are prohibited unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Dean of Faculty and Students: (1) electronic recording of the meeting (2) invitation of legal counsel or uninvited individuals.
Responsibilities of the Committee Members
The Ethics and Honor Code Committee is responsible to the community, including educating students and faculty about the Code, providing information and literature about the Code, and assisting in maintaining awareness of the Code.
The Ethics and Honor Code Committee is responsible for interpreting the Code. The Committee will consider each case individually and should be sensitive to both the community and the individual involved when making decisions.
Reporting Procedure
A case of a suspected violation or an unresolved situation may be brought to the Ethics and Honor Code Committee through self-reporting or by the confronting student, faculty, or staff, at which point the case proceeds to a hearing for resolution. Once reported and the complaint is presented to the committee by the chair, the case proceeds to a hearing for resolution. Reporting violations should be accomplished by submitting the appropriate ethics and honor code violation form which may be obtained from the Associate Dean for Faculty and Students. After submission to the Chair of the Ethics and Honors Code Committee, the involved parties will be informed of a preliminary hearing date, time, and location promptly.
Hearing procedures
The hearing will be scheduled during school hours when a quorum of committee members is present to meet with the student. The Chairperson will be the facilitator of this meeting and all related meetings after these proceedings. At the beginning of a hearing, the Chairperson will give a brief overview of the purpose of the hearing, answer any procedural questions, and ask members of the Committee to report any conflicts of interest. If a conflict of interest arises, a committee member will recuse themselves from any further proceedings involving the case. Students whose case will be reviewed by The Ethics and Honor Code Committee or who will be interviewed by The Ethics and Honor Code Committee, are given a list of The Ethics and Honor Code Committee members in advance to report any conflict of interest. If no conflict of interest is reported by the student within 24 hours of receiving the list, no recusals will be considered. If students identify any conflicts of interest, they can report them to The Ethics and Honor Code Committee chair, who will assess and determine if recusal is necessary. All people involved in the hearing, including the parties themselves and Committee members, are expected to maintain the confidentiality of the proceedings. Ethics and Honor Code Committee members and students attending the hearings must sign a confidentiality agreement. Failure to sign this form will result in the committee member being removed from the committee and the students losing their right to be interviewed by The Ethics and Honor Code Committee before a recommendation is made to the SPC. This form must be signed within 24 hours of receipt.
If not signed, the hearing may be postponed or canceled, and the student may waive their right to be interviewed by the committee before a recommendation is made to the SPC.
Deliberation
Once all information has been obtained the student will be excused from the meeting and the Committee will discuss the information acquired. If appropriate, voting may occur immediately or after 24-hour deliberation if needed. Subjects to be discussed include:
- What are the relevant circumstances in this case?
- Is there enough evidence to decide?
- What is an appropriate resolution in this case?
The Committee will reconvene and either reaffirm its position or reach a consensus on another action. If a committee member needs more time or more information to reach a consensus the committee will adjourn and take appropriate action to resolve the situation.
Presentation of the Resolution
The recommendations by the Student Ethics and Honor Code Committee will be forwarded to the chair of Student Progress Committee and Students when appropriate.
Recommendation to the Student Progress Committee
The recommendation will be reported in writing to the parties and to the SPC of LMU-CDM within ten (10) business days and when the school calendar allows. A student will be informed if circumstances do not allow reporting within the timeframe. Once recommendations are made, the case moves to the SPC for consideration of action. See section on Student Progress Committee.
Repairing breaches of trust
With any violation of the Code, the offending party is obligated to repair breaches of trust to the community at large. This will be accomplished by compliance with the final decision in the case and an acceptable reaffirmation of the party’s commitment to the community’s standards.
If a student breaks the rules, the university can take one or more of the following recommendations:
- Warning Letter: The student might get a written warning.
- Failing grade: The student may receive a zero or failing grade for the exercise or exam in question.
- Probation: The student might have to meet certain conditions to stay in the program. If they do not meet these conditions, the probation period could be extended, and more actions might be taken.
- Pay for Damages: If the student caused damage or loss of property, or caused injury physical or mental, there may be financial repercussions. If financial damages are requested and not paid, the university may put a hold on a student’s record.
- Loss of Privileges: The student might lose certain privileges, like participating in activities, rotations or accessing certain areas of the university, for a set time.
- Suspension: The student might be temporarily removed from the CDM. They must meet certain conditions before they can return. If they do not meet these conditions, their suspension might be extended, and more actions might be taken. The university can put a hold on their record during suspension.
- Dismissal: The student might be permanently removed from the university.
- Hazing Penalties: If the student is involved in hazing, they will lose any state-funded grants, scholarships, or awards for a set period.
Factors for Deciding Penalties
When deciding on a penalty, the university might consider:
- How serious and ongoing the misconduct was
- Whether violence was involved
- The impact on the victim and the university community
- The student's past disciplinary record
- Whether the student has accepted responsibility
- The need to maintain a safe and respectful learning environment
- Any other pertinent factors