VCU Honor System

Statement of Philosophy

Virginia Commonwealth University recognizes that honesty, truth, and integrity are values central to its mission as an institution of higher education.

Therefore, it must act to maintain these values, even to the point of separating from the University those who violate them. This policy describes the responsibilities of students, faculty and administration in upholding academic integrity, while at the same time respecting the rights of individuals to the due process offered by administrative hearings and appeals. All persons enrolled in any course or program offered by VCU, and all persons supervising the learning of any student are responsible for acting in accordance with the provisions of this policy.

Students are responsible for

·    Understanding the types of conduct which are deemed unacceptable and, therefore,
     are prohibited by this policy.

·    Refraining from committing any act of cheating, plagiarizing, facilitating academic
     dishonesty, abusing academic materials, stealing, lying or soliciting others to engage
     in any of the above.

·    Refraining from acts of intimidation, threats of physical harm, or threats of retribution in
     an attempt to prevent the testimony of another member of the University Community at
     any time after charges have been made.

·    Reporting every instance in which the student has a suspicion or knowledge that
     academic conduct which violates this policy or its spirit has taken place to the faculty
     member responsible for instruction, or to a member of the Graduate and Professional
     Student Honor Council, or to an Honor System Faculty Coordinator for the
     Undergraduate Student Honor Council.

·    Signing a statement agreeing to be bound by the terms of the VCU Honor System.

The complete VCU Honor Code System may be read online