U.Va. Honor System

Founded in 1842, the Honor System has been a defining characteristic of life at the University for 160 years. All University of Virginia students have committed themselves to not lying, cheating, or stealing. This commitment means that the University of Virginia exists as a Community of Trust.

Led by an Honor Committee of elected representatives from each school of the University, the Honor System is administered entirely by students. The Committee is responsible for reviewing alleged offenses of lying, cheating, or stealing that occur within Charlottesville and Albemarle County or wherever a person represents himself or herself as a University student. While anyone may initiate Honor proceedings, students investigate and review matters independently.

The Honor System has real and tangible benefits to University students. At this University, a student is assumed to be honorable unless their actions prove them otherwise. This assumption of integrity accompanies a student in all dealings with fellow students, faculty members, administrators, and community members. The Honor System allows a professor to trust both your word and your work. But much more, the Honor System allows you to trust fellow students just because they are University students. This positive conception of Honor is the heart of our system.

Though the Honor System provides great benefits to students, it further requires acceptance of great responsibility. The foundation of the Honor System depends upon the willingness of every student to live up to the standards set by his fellow students. These standards are quite high. Any student found to have committed an intentional act of lying, cheating or stealing will be permanently dismissed from the University. For over 160 years, students have repeatedly reconfirmed their desire to be held to this high standard

Cases may be initiated for up to two years after the time of the alleged offense. A case may be initiated against anyone who was a University student at the time of the alleged Honor offense, regardless of whether or not the student subsequently left the University. If such a case is initiated and leads to the conviction of a University graduate, the Honor Committee will refer the case to the General Faculty for degree revocation proceedings.

You will find that the Honor System represents in many ways a continuing dialogue among students. Not everyone at the University agrees with its principles or its applications, yet it is an indication of the system's importance to the University that it is so often discussed and debated.

Since all who are admitted to and enroll at the University agree to live by and support the spirit of Honor, we all must remain prepared to accept the responsibilities that come with that agreement. Because every student benefits from the freedom and security offered by the Honor System; every student must support the system's basic tenets.

For more information about the Honor System at the University, visit the Honor Committee Web page. If you have further questions or are interested in getting involved, please call the Committee at (434) 924-7602.

Sincerely,

Carey J. Mignerey
Chair