Interim Academic Honor Board Procedures

Membership and Quorum

• The Interim AHB will consist of an interim chair (designated by the Dean of the College) and three faculty members.
• A quorum of the AHB consists of two members of the board: the interim chair and one faculty representative. A quorum is authorized to conduct business on behalf of the full board.
• Normally, the full board will attend the administrative hearing.

Reporting A Suspected Infraction of the Honor Code

• For faculty who suspect an Honor Code infraction: Before reporting, the instructor should speak privately with the student whose work is in question. If the instructor suspects collusion on an exam, homework, etc., they should speak individually to the students involved. The instructor should remain open-minded and convey a nonjudgmental manner when discussing concerns with the student. If, after speaking with the student(s), the instructor suspects an infraction has occurred, the instructor should encourage the student to self report to the interim chair at honorboard@smith.edu. If the student does not do so, the instructor should report the suspected fraction to the interim chair at honorboard@smith.edu. The faculty member should send all relevant documentation at this time. 

  Confidentiality is extremely important. Though faculty may seek general advice from others—from departmental colleagues, for example—the name of the student in question must not be revealed.

• For students or other non-faculty who suspect an Honor Code infraction: Report the suspected infraction to the interim chair at honorboard@smith.edu. The reporter should send all relevant documentation at this time.

After a Report of Suspected Infraction Has Been Made

• The interim chair will inform the student in writing of the suspected infraction. The student must respond within 72 hours of the notification to schedule a meeting with the interim chair. (If a student does not respond within 72 hours, the AHB can opt to hold an administrative hearing in the student’s absence.)
• The interim chair will meet with the student promptly to discuss the situation and inform the student of AHB procedures. At this meeting, the interim chair will determine if the student takes responsibility for the infraction. If (1) the student takes responsibility, (2) the infraction is minor, and (3) the student has no prior infractions, then the interim chair and one additional member of the Honor Board may conduct an administrative settlement.
• If the interim chair determines that an administrative hearing must be held, the student must contact their class dean within 72 hours to schedule a meeting. The class dean will advise the student about the hearing process and the statement that they must write for AHB.
• The interim chair will schedule the hearing.

Administrative Hearing Procedures

• Administrative hearings will occur in person or on Zoom, as required by the schedules of hearing participants.

• A reporting faculty member may attend the first portion of the hearing if they wish, or they may simply submit the relevant documentation. The reported student will not be present at the hearing at the same time as a faculty member.
• After the faculty member has left, the student and their class dean will enter.
• The student will read and sign their statement.
• The AHB may ask questions of the student.
• Following the conclusion of the hearing, the AHB will deliberate privately and reach a consensus on the decision of whether the student is responsible for violating the Honor Code. If the student is found responsible for one or more infractions, the board shall then reach a consensus on sanction(s) for the student.
• The board may consider any testimony or evidence it deems helpful or relevant. The board's decisions are based on information brought before it at the hearing or in written statements that have been submitted to the board regarding the case.

• The interim chair will inform the student of the decision in writing within 72 hours. The decision will remain in the honor board's confidential files for seven years.

  Appeals

• Appeals may be made only on the grounds of gross error in procedure, violation of the student's rights, new evidence, or extreme bias on the part of the AHB. Appeals may not be filed solely based on disagreeing with the board's decision.
• Appeals of AHB decisions must be made in writing to the dean of the college within seven days of the date on the board's decision letter.
• The dean of the college shall appoint an appeal board to review the appeal.
• If the appeal board determines that the AHB’s Board's decisions should be modified, it will make new recommendations and alert the dean of the college who will contact the student.