Honor System Sanctions

Only the following sanctions may be considered by Hearing Boards or the Executive Board when  recommending a sanction to the Dean.  No other requirements, e.g., an apology from the student, extra coursework, a reflection paper, etc., may be added to change what defines an Honor Council  sanctions.  However, such beneficial  “add-ons” may be part of a Sanction Reduction proposal.

A. Dismissal (permanent)

The most severe of sanctions, dismissal (expulsion) from the University  is a permanent dissociation of the student’s relationship with the University.  Dismissals are noted on a student’s permanent transcript as “Dismissal: Violation of Honor System [dd/mm/yyyy of  Dean’s decision]” and for a violation of the Honor System are usually immediately effective with the Dean’s decision. 

B. Suspension (permanent)

Suspension is a mandatory but temporary break in the student’s  continued registered status, and will be noted on the student’s permanent transcript as  “Suspension: Violation of Honor System, [dates of suspension]”.   A suspension may be immediate  but typically for Honor Council cases will be for one full semester, but can be imposed for two or  more semesters at the discretion of the Hearing or Executive Board, and/or imposed by the Dean.  A  suspension usually takes effect for the semester after the violation occurred, or even for a later  semester, if adjudication was delayed.  A suspension for fall semester includes the previous  summer; a student suspended for a spring semester is next eligible to register in the following  summer.  Summer is not considered a regular academic term. A student suspended in their final  semester would have a degree/diploma delayed until the suspension has been served.

C. Transcript Notation: Level II (permanent)

This transcript notation is a mid-level though  permanent sanction, and is entered on the student’s official University transcript indicating that the  student has received a sanction for a violation of the Honor System.  This unqualified permanent  notation reads “Censure: Violation of Honor System.” The student receiving this sanction is not eligible for sanction reduction. 

D. Transcript Notation: Level I

This transcript notation is a mid-level sanction, and is entered on  the student’s official University transcript indicating that the student has received a sanction for a  violation of the Honor System.  This notation, however, is qualified, and reads “Censure: Violation of  Honor System.” but continues with the proviso that “This notation can be removed on  [dd/mm/yyyy] through student action.”  “Student action” signifies the successful completion of a  sanction reduction plan. 

Even so, the removable Transcript Notation (level one) is permanent until the Honor Council is  notified by the Sanction Reduction Board that the notation should be removed and the sanction be  reduced, either to a permanent Letter of Censure, or to a removable Letter of Reprimand. For more  information about the duration of a reducible/removable sanction, see Sanction Reduction in the  glossary or on the Honor Council’s website.   

E. Letter of Censure: Level II (permanent)

A Letter of Censure is a “form letter” which includes the  most basic information:  what Standard of Conduct was violated and whether the sanction was  decided by an Executive or Hearing Board.  Under appropriate circumstances, and with the  student’s expressed permission, the fact of a violation resulting in a Letter of Censure sanction may  be shared outside of Georgetown University, such as graduate and professional schools that may  ask about applicants’ academic records, or agencies doing security background checks. The  permanent Letter of Censure does not allow for participation in Sanction Reduction.

F. Letter of Censure: Level I (reducible)

A Letter of Censure is a “form letter” which includes the  most basic information:  what Standard of Conduct was violated and whether the sanction was  decided by the executive or hearing board.  Under appropriate circumstances, the fact of a violation  resulting in a Letter of Censure sanction may be shared with the student’s expressed permission  with persons outside of Georgetown University, such as law graduate and professional schools that  may ask about applicants’ academic records. 

The reducible Letter of Censure becomes part of the student’s office University record, added to  the academic file, and may be reduced to a Letter of Reprimand through the successful completion  of a Sanction Reduction plan. For more information about the duration of a reducible sanction, see  Sanction Reduction in the glossary or on the Honor Council’s website.   

G. Letter of Reprimand

A Letter of Reprimand is the lowest level sanction and is retained in the  student’s Honor Council file until such a time as he or she receives either a Bachelor’s or Master’s  degree from Georgetown University when the Letter of Reprimand is destroyed.  The Letter of  Reprimand may not be disclosed outside the University, and is available only to authorized Honor  Council personnel who have access to the student’s Honor Council file.  A Letter of Reprimand will  be noted as a prior violation during deliberation if the student is subsequently found in violation of  another allegation.