Judicial Process for Violations
of the Academic Honor Code
Philosophical Statement
The members of the St. John’s University community believe the
fundamental objective of the institution is to provide our students
with a high quality education while developing in them a sense of
ethical, moral, spiritual, and social responsibility. We believe
that trust is an integral part of the learning process and that
self-discipline is necessary in this pursuit. We also believe that
any instance of dishonesty hurts the entire community. It is with
this in mind that we have set forth an Academic Honor Code at St.
John’s University.
A student enrolled in St. John's University assumes the obligation
to conduct him or herself in a manner compatible with the
University's function as a Catholic institution of higher
education. Each student is personally responsible for behavior
appropriate to a member of the University community as well as
compliance with the policies and procedures established by the
University.
Personal conduct on the part of students which is contrary to the
attainment of University objectives is subject to sanction. All
forms of academic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating
and plagiarism, and any obstruction or disruption of teaching,
research or other University-sponsored activities of an academic
nature are subject to penalty under the following procedures.
I. Disciplinary Process
Section A - Hearing Committee
1. A report of academic misconduct may be
initiated by any member of the St. John’s University
community.
2. When academic misconduct is alleged, the
complainant may choose to present the charges, in writing, to
either the Dean of the school in which the student is enrolled or
to the Office of Judicial Affairs. If the complainant comes
to the Office of Judicial Affairs, it will be reported to the Dean
immediately. The Dean will inform the student that he or she may
have a hearing before the Dean or before a Committee annually
elected for that purpose.
a. The Dean may request the assistance of the Office of Judicial
Affairs in conducting an investigation of the alleged matter.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the Director of Judicial
Affairs will submit a report to the Dean regarding the inquiry;
or
b. The Dean may choose to investigate in the usual manner of the
Academic Disciplinary procedure.
c. If the Dean chooses to conduct the investigation as per §(b),
the Office of Judicial Affairs stands ready to assist in any
portion of the investigation.
3. In cases involving undergraduate students, the
Committee will consist of two faculty members, two undergraduate
student members, and the Dean of the school in which the student is
enrolled, acting as a voting chairperson. The two faculty members
and two undergraduate students, where possible, will be drawn from
the existing Faculty Council and elected at the organizational
meeting of such Council; the students shall be elected by the
student members and the faculty shall be elected by the faculty
members.
4. In cases involving graduate students, the
Committee shall consist of two faculty members, two graduate
student members, and the Dean of the school in which the student is
enrolled acting as a voting chairperson. Its membership shall be
drawn from members of the graduate faculty and graduate student
body of the college. They shall be elected annually at the
organizational meeting of the Faculty Council.
5. In the event that any member of either
Committee is unable, unwilling or ineligible to serve or continue
to serve, the Dean shall nominate a replacement for the approval of
the remaining Committee members.
Section B - Charges
The Dean of the school in which the student is enrolled shall
provide written copies of the charges with notice of the
institution of proceedings and a copy of the applicable procedures
to the student accused of misconduct. These charges will either be
sent by registered mail, return receipt requested or hand-delivered
to the student. The charges will be served within 15 calendar days
after the charges are brought.
Section C - Decision
The Dean or the Committee shall render the decision within 10
calendar days of the receipt of the charges by the student if no
answer has been received, or within 10 calendar days of the
concluded hearing.
Section D - Appeal
If the charges against the student are sustained by the Dean or
Committee and the student wishes to appeal this judgment, the
student shall direct such an appeal in writing to the appropriate
Appeals Committee of the Faculty Council. Appeals must be based on
either procedural error which prejudiced the decision or evidence
discovered after the hearing. In no case shall there be an appeal
against the penalty that has been determined. The decision of the
Appeals Committee shall be final.
II. Jurisdiction
Section A - Initial Hearing
The Dean or the Committee will conduct the initial hearing
according to the choice of the accused student.
Section B - Appeal
The Appeals Committee of the Faculty Council of the individual
school or college will conduct the appeals hearing.
Section C - School of Law
Jurisdiction for students in the School of Law resides in the Dean
of that school and its Faculty Council.
III. Sanctions
The Dean or the Committee shall impose the following
penalties:
1. Loss of credit, in whole or in part, for the
work involved
2. Loss of credit for the course
3. Written reprimand in the student's
record
4. Academic probation
5. Suspension
6. Expulsion, imposed by recommendation to the
Provost.
Approved: University Senate, September, 2006
Approved: Board of Trustees, September, 2006