Formal Adjudication

About Formal Adjudication

Allegations of academic misconduct that are not addressed through in-course resolutions are addressed through the following process.

The content on this page is meant to serve as general information about the process, and not a comprehensive statement of applicable policies and procedures. If a student is involved in an academic misconduct case, they will receive more detailed information, including the full procedures of the Honor Council. In the case of any discrepancy between that detailed information the student receives and this webpage, the information provided to the student will take precedence. You may view the introductory information for students involved in matters under review by the Honor Council.

Initial Notification

Following the report of the concern, the Honor Council notifies the student of the allegation and informs them of the Honor Council’s procedures and confidentiality expectations. The student will also receive the initial packet containing case materials. Additional case materials may be added at any time and will be provided to the student.

Initial Statement

After the case materials are sent to the student, the student will have the opportunity to respond to the issues raised in the initial concern and to provide context and information to broaden the Council’s understanding of the circumstances. This statement must ordinarily be submitted to the Council within three days from the time the materials are sent. A student may consult with their Resident Dean (RD), Student Academic Integrity Fellow (SAIF), or personal advisor, a licensed mental health professional, clergy, or legal counsel for advice on preparing this statement; the statement, however, must be written by the student. If the case involves more than one student who may have violated the Honor Code or rules about academic integrity in the Student Handbook, the statements submitted by each student will ordinarily be exchanged between the students before the Honor Council meeting. It is the clear expectation of the Council that students involved in the same case will write their statements separately and without discussion with each other. Communication about or collaboration on statements between students involved in the case is a potential violation of these procedures.

If a student believes that there are other community members who have relevant information, they should indicate this in their initial statement. The Chair or Secretary has discretion to decide which, if any, community members should be contacted. A student may choose not to submit a statement, and if a student does not submit a statement, the Honor Council will proceed without it. Statements are ordinarily shared with the reporting faculty member, who may submit a response to be circulated to both the student and the team of the Honor Council considering the case.

Resolving Cases

Some Honor Council cases may be resolved by the Executive Committee of the Honor Council based on the written materials alone, particularly when there are no material factual issues to resolve. The Executive Committee may, at its discretion, decide instead to refer a case to a team of voters from the Honor Council. This may occur when, for example, the factual issues are particularly complex, there are material facts in dispute, or the sanction could result in separation from the College, even for a period of time.

In the event the case is referred to a team of voters from the Honor Council, the team will review the written materials and invite the student to appear before the team. Meeting with one of the Council teams is an opportunity for the student to further explain the situation from their perspective and to amplify the initial statement, if one is submitted. It will also be an opportunity for the members of the Honor Council team to ask questions and engage with the student on the concern that has been raised. Students who are invited to appear before the Council may choose not to answer questions or to participate in the meeting, and their refusal to respond or participate will not be taken by the Honor Council to imply responsibility. In all cases, the Honor Council will deliberate and decide based on the information available to it.

When deciding a case, the Honor Council team will deliberate and vote on whether the student is responsible for a violation of the Honor Code or rules on academic dishonesty. Council voters will first vote on whether or not they are sufficiently persuaded that the student is responsible for breaking the Honor Code or rules of the Faculty. A second vote will then be taken to determine the resolution or appropriate sanction. All votes will be taken based on a simple majority of the members on the Council team present and eligible to vote, except for votes to require a student to withdraw, which require a two-thirds vote of the Council team present and eligible to vote. The Council may bracket or postpone a decision on any case, either to allow further discussion by the voting members at a later time or pending receipt of further information or documentation.

Ordinarily, the Secretary of the Council communicates the Council’s decision to the student’s RD and, in addition, sends a written notification of the decision to the student. The student may follow up with their RD, the Secretary of the Honor Council, or a voting member of the Council for further questions and information on the Council’s decision.

The Honor Council’s first commitment is to truth and honesty, and students are expected to be honest in communicating with the Council. In making decisions, the Council may take into consideration a student’s demonstrated commitment to honesty. Dishonesty may result in increased sanctions or an additional disciplinary charge.

If the Honor Council desires additional assistance, the Secretary or Chair may request it, for example, in analyzing case documents or in providing assistance with deliberations, from faculty or staff who are not members of the Council. Any written reports provided to the Council by these individuals will be shared with the student, and the student will be apprised of the identities of the individuals asked to assist the Council with its work regarding their case.

Outcomes

Votes by the Honor Council can result in a range of possible outcomes. Some of these outcomes change a student’s status at the College, meaning that the student would not be “in good standing,” and others do not. Outcomes of “scratch,” “take no action,” and “admonish” do not change a student’s status. For cases of academic dishonesty, there are two additional sanctions that do not change a student’s status at the College: Referral for Local Sanctions and Exclusion from a Course. The other possible actions of the Council, including “disciplinary probation” and “requirement to withdraw,” do change a student’s status in the College, meaning that they are no longer considered to be in good standing.

Generally, a student who is not in good standing is not eligible for certain fellowship opportunities or certain programs offered at the College, such as study abroad, cross-registration, or independent study. Before applying, a student should check to see if the opportunity requires a student to be in good standing. Similarly, a student must be in good standing to receive a degree from the College. Outcomes that change a student’s status are disclosed to parents or guardians, as well as to graduate or professional schools under certain circumstances. See below for more details.

The Council’s decisions are governed by the rules and regulations contained in the Student Handbook and are guided by considerations of equity. The Council is careful to treat each student fairly, and in reaching its decisions ensures that the outcome is consistent with its treatment of other students. To take action, the Council must be sufficiently persuaded that the student has violated the rules of the Faculty. In the event the Council finds the student responsible for a violation, the outcomes generally depend on two criteria: 1) the seriousness of the infraction; and 2) extenuating circumstances, including the extent to which a student has had similar trouble before. Any disciplinary action requires a majority vote of the members on the Council team present and eligible to vote or, in the case of a requirement to withdraw, at least two-thirds of the Council team members present and eligible to vote.

A. Finding of No Responsibility.

If the Honor Council determines that the Honor Code or rules on academic integrity and academic dishonesty have not been violated, it may take the following actions:

Scratch: A finding of no responsibility indicating that the Council believes that nothing wrong occurred, or that there are no grounds for action. A decision of scratch is recorded in a student’s file to signal that the Council found no fault.

Take No Action: This response is a finding of no responsibility. It indicates that a serious accusation was made but was not or could not be substantiated.

B. Finding of Responsibility.

If the Honor Council determines that the Honor Code or rules on academic integrity and academic dishonesty have been violated, it may take action as outlined in the Student Handbook.

During probation or Requirement to Withdraw, students should be in regular contact with their RD and, where appropriate, their SAIF. Students required to withdraw are expected to remain away from campus; however, they should remain in regular contact with their RD and SAIF during their period of withdrawal.

Reconsideration and Appeal

A student found responsible for a violation of the Honor Code or rules on academic integrity may request that the Honor Council reconsider its decision if:

• New materially relevant information becomes available that was not available to the student through the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time of the review; or
• There is reasonable evidence of a procedural error that may change the outcome of the decision.

Students who believe they have sufficient grounds for reconsideration should consult with their Resident Dean, the Secretary of the Honor Council, or their Personal Advisor (a faculty member or officer of the University affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences).

All reconsiderations must be filed with the Secretary of the Honor Council within one week of the disciplinary decision, unless, within that week, the Secretary grants an extension of time. Ordinarily, students will have only one opportunity to request a reconsideration.

Students required to withdraw or placed on probation by the Honor Council for more than one term have two options to contest the Honor Council’s decision:

1. They may ask the Honor Council to reconsider its decision (via the process and deadlines described above);
2. Additionally, they may appeal to the Faculty Council.

These students may still ask the Honor Council to reconsider its decision and, if unsatisfied with the Honor Council’s response to the reconsideration request, may afterwards appeal to the Faculty Council. Alternatively, they may skip the reconsideration option and choose to appeal to the Faculty Council. However, once a student appeals to the Faculty Council, the reconsideration option is no longer available to them. A student may appeal to the Faculty Council because:

• The Honor Council made a procedural error that may change the outcome of the decision; or
• Based upon a review of the Honor Council’s annual disciplinary statistics, the sanction imposed by the Council was inconsistent with the Council’s usual practices and is inappropriate.

Appeals to the Faculty Council must be filed with the Secretary of the Faculty. For students who asked the Honor Council for a reconsideration, the appeal must be filed within one week of the decision regarding reconsideration. For students who did not ask the Honor Council for a reconsideration, the appeal must be filed within one week of the disciplinary decision of the Honor Council. A student may not seek reconsideration following the filing of an appeal.

Appeals to the Faculty Council are first screened by the Docket Committee, a group of elected representatives of the Faculty Council. Further information about the appeals process can be obtained from the Secretary of the Faculty.

Once a student has been awarded a degree from Harvard College, the option to have the Honor Council reconsider a decision or to appeal to the Faculty Council is closed.

In keeping with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a student with a disability who believes that the Honor Council did not properly consider any claims pertaining to their disability may seek further review from Harvard University Disability Resources (UDR), including in disciplinary case decisions. For information on grievance procedures, visit University Disability Resources website.

Accommodations

Persons with disabilities (including those with mental and physical conditions) who would like to request any type of accommodation during the Honor Council process or who have questions about physical access, should contact Grace Moskola, Director of the Disability Access Office (DAO), or the Secretary of the Honor Council in advance of the Honor Council team meeting.