Honor System Sanctions
Photo By: Phil Humnicky/Georgetown Univ.
Only the following sanctions may be considered by the Executive Board or Hearing Boards when recommending a sanction to the Executive Director. 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 sanction. However, such beneficial “add-ons” may be part of a Sanction Reduction Plan.
1. Letter of Warning
This is the least severe sanction, which is retained in the student’s Honor Council file until they receive their degree from Georgetown University, at which point the Letter of Warning is destroyed. Information about the Letter of Warning is not shared with those outside the University without the student’s consent except as permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Within the University, in accordance with FERPA this information is available only to authorized University personnel who, in their professional capacity, have access to a student’s file.
2. Letter of Censure
For more serious acts of academic dishonesty, a student may receive a Letter of Censure. The Letter of Censure becomes part of the student’s permanent record in their honor council file. Information about the Letter of Censure is not shared with those outside the University without the student’s consent except as permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Within the University, in accordance with FERPA this information is available only to authorized University personnel who, in their professional capacity, have access to a student’s file. A Letter of Censure may be reduced to a Letter of Warning with successful completion of a Sanction Reduction Plan.
3. Transcript Notation Level I:
A mid-level sanction, noted as “Censure: Violation of Honor System,” appears on the student’s official transcript and can be removed after completing a Sanction Reduction Plan at which time it is reduced to a Letter of Warning.
4. Transcript Notation Level II:
A mid-level but permanent sanction, noted as “Censure: Violation of Honor System,” is recorded on the student’s official transcript, and cannot be reduced.
5. Suspension:
A mandatory temporary break from the University, usually 1-2 semesters depending on the circumstances. A suspension will be noted on the student’s transcript.
6. Dismissal:
Permanent dismissal from the University. A dismissal will be noted on the student’s transcript.