The Honor System

"The Honor System is, in many respects, the epitome of one of UVA’s strongest and most important traditions: student self-governance. The Honor System is run by and for our students, and they have the right to change it." - President James E. Ryan

The information below was provided January 2024 by a representative of the honor committee.

Founded in 1842, the Honor System is one of the University’s most cherished institutions. Based on the principle that University students want to be trusted, the Honor System helps create and strengthen a school-wide Community of Trust. However, this Community of Trust relies on our students, faculty, and staff to trust one another.

When students enroll at the University, they make a commitment not to lie, cheat, or steal within Charlottesville, Albemarle County, or where they represent themselves as University students in order to gain the trust of others. Because they have made this commitment, students are trusted by peers, faculty members, administrators, and community residents alike. Students conduct themselves with integrity and are presumed honorable until proven otherwise.

The Honor Committee consists of representatives from each school at the University, including three elected representatives from the School of Engineering. The role of the Committee is set Honor System policy and procedure, overseeing case processing, and organizing school-specific and University-wide education and outreach efforts. In addition, the Committee is assisted by three pools of Support Officers: advisors, who provide information and support to accused students and reporters of Honor offenses; investigators and counsel, who impartially investigate cases and represent the different sides during a Hearing, and educators, who promote understanding of and foster discussion about the Honor System among members of the University community.

Any member of the University community (students, faculty, staff) may file an Honor report by contacting their Committee representatives or filling out the contact form on the Honor Committee website. If you believe an Honor Offense may have occurred, you should report the case.

When a report is filed with the Honor Committee, the reporter and the reported student are each assigned an Honor Advisor. After a report is received by the Committee, the reported student is given a seven-day period in which to review the report and decide whether they wish to file an Informed Retraction (“IR”), which allows students to admit to the reported offense and take accountability. If the reported student does not file an IR, the two Honor Investigators are assigned to the case to interview the reporter, student, and any witnesses and collect all relevant evidence.

Once the investigation is complete, an Investigative Panel (“I-Panel”), comprised of three Committee members, reviews the evidence and decides whether to formally accuse the reported student or drop the case. The I-Panelists vote to accuse the student if they believe it is “more likely than not” that the student committed an Honor Offense. Once formally accused, a student can request an Honor Hearing or admit guilt. Two Honor Counsel help the student present their case, and two Honor Counsel present the Community’s case. At the Hearing, twelve panelists – seven randomly selected students and five Committee members – decide if an Honor Offense was committed beyond a reasonable doubt. If the student is found guilty, they are subject to sanctions.

The goals of sanctions are not strictly punitive; instead, they are designed to allow the student to restore their commitment to the Community of Trust and make amends with affected parties. Sanctions can include education, amends, suspension, or expulsion, depending on a number of factors about the case. A student can appeal a guilty verdict and/or sanction(s) based on new evidence or questions of fundamental fairness and/or timeliness. More information about the case process can be found on the Committee’s website here.

Students who enroll at the University benefit from the freedom and security provided by the Honor System; every student must agree to live by and support the spirit of honor. Applicants who are not prepared to embrace this freedom and accept this responsibility should not apply for admission.

This is intended as a brief summary of some important aspects of the University’s Honor System. For more information, visit the Honor Committee Web page: honor.virginia.edu. If you have further questions, please email the Engineering committee representatives here or email honor@virginia.edu.