Honor Code

Year and semester specific policies and procedures can be found on our home page under the specific semester.

• Honor Code Statement
• Academic Honesty Policy
• Dress and Grooming Standards
• Residential Living Standards

Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University--Hawaii, Brigham Young University--Idaho, and LDS Business College exist to provide an education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That atmosphere is created and preserved through commitment to conduct that reflects those ideals and principles. Members of the faculty, administration, staff, and student body at BYU, BYU-H, BYU-I, and LDSBC are selected and retained from among those who voluntarily live the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Observance of such is a specific condition of employment and admission. Those individuals who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are also expected to maintain the same standards of conduct, except church attendance. All who represent BYU, BYU-H, BYU-I, and LDSBC are to maintain the highest standards of honor, integrity, morality, and consideration of others in personal behavior. By accepting appointment on the faculty, continuing in employment, or continuing class enrollment, individuals evidence their commitment to observe the Honor Code standards approved by the Board of Trustees "at all times and . . . in all places" (Mosiah 18:9).

Honor Code Statement

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men. . . . If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

As a matter of personal commitment, students, faculty, and staff of Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University--Hawaii, Brigham Young University--Idaho, and LDS Business College seek to demonstrate in daily living on and off campus those moral virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and will

• Be honest
  
• Obey the law and all campus policies
  
• Live a chaste and virtuous life
  
• Use clean language
  
• Respect others
  
• Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse
  
• Observe the Dress and Grooming Standards
  
• Participate regularly in church services
  
• Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the BYU Honor Code

Specific policies embodied in the Honor Code include (1) the Academic Honesty Policy, (2) the Dress and Grooming Standards, (3) the Residential Living Standards, and (4) the Continuing Student Ecclesiastical Endorsement. (Refer to institutional policies for more detailed information.)

Academic Honesty Policy

The first injunction of the BYU Honor Code is the call to "be honest." Students come to the university not only to improve their minds, gain knowledge, and develop skills that will assist them in their life's work, but also to build character. "President David O. McKay taught that character is the highest aim of education" (The Aims of a BYU Education, p. 6). It is the purpose of the BYU Academic Honesty Policy to assist in fulfilling that aim.

BYU students should seek to be totally honest in their dealings with others. They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to the following: plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct.

Plagiarism
Intentional plagiarism is a form of intellectual theft that violates widely recognized principles of academic integrity as well as the Honor Code. Such plagiarism may subject the student to appropriate disciplinary action administered through the university Honor Code Office, in addition to academic sanctions that may be applied by an instructor. Inadvertent plagiarism, although not in violation of the Honor Code, is nevertheless a form of intellectual carelessness that is unacceptable in the academic community. Plagiarism of any kind is completely contrary to the established practices of higher education, where all members of the university are expected to acknowledge the original intellectual work of others that is included in one's own work. In some cases, plagiarism may also involve violations of copyright law.

Intentional Plagiarism
Intentional plagiarism is the deliberate act of representing the words, ideas, or data of another as one's own without providing proper attribution to the author through quotation, reference, or footnote.

Inadvertent Plagiarism
Inadvertent plagiarism involves the inappropriate, but nondeliberate, use of another's words, ideas, or data without proper attribution. Inadvertent plagiarism usually results from an ignorant failure to follow established rules for documenting sources or from simply being insufficiently careful in research and writing. Although not a violation of the Honor Code, inadvertent plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct for which an instructor can impose appropriate academic sanctions. Students who are in doubt as to whether they are providing proper attribution have the responsibility to consult with their instructor and obtain guidance.

Examples of Plagiarism
Direct Plagiarism - The verbatim copying of an original source without acknowledging the source.

Paraphrased Plagiarism - The paraphrasing, without acknowledgment, of ideas from another that the reader might mistake for your own.

Plagiarism Mosaic - The borrowing of words, ideas, or data from an original source and blending this original material with one's own without acknowledging the source.

Insufficient Acknowledgment - The partial or incomplete attribution of words, ideas, or data from an original source.

Plagiarism may occur with respect to unpublished as well as published material. Acts of copying another student's work and submitting it as one's own individual work without proper attribution is a serious form of plagiarism.

Fabrication or Falsification
Fabrication or falsification is a form of dishonesty where a student invents or distorts the origin or content of information used as authority. Examples include:

1. Citing a source that does not exist.


2. Citing information from a source that is not included in the source.
   
3. Citing a source for a proposition that it does not support.
   
4. Citing a source in a bibliography when the source was neither consulted nor cited in the body of the paper.
   
5. Intentionally distorting the meaning or applicability of data.
   
6. Inventing data or statistical results to support conclusions.
   

Cheating
Cheating is a form of dishonesty where a student attempts to give the appearance of a level of knowledge or skill that the student has not obtained. Examples include:

1. Copying from another person's work during an examination or while completing an assignment.


2. Allowing someone to copy from you during an examination or while completing an assignment.


3. Using unauthorized materials during an examination or while completing an assignment.


4. Collaborating on an examination or assignment without authorization.


5. Taking an examination or completing an assignment for another, or permitting another to take an examination or to complete an assignment for you.

Other Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct includes other academically dishonest, deceitful, or other inappropriate acts that are intentionally committed. Examples of such acts include but are not limited to:

1. Inappropriately providing or receiving information or academic works so as to gain unfair advantage over others.


2. Planning with another to commit any act of academic dishonesty.


3. Attempting to gain an unfair academic advantage for oneself or another by bribery or by any act of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting anything of value to another for such purpose.


4. Changing or altering grades or other official educational records.


5. Obtaining or providing to another an unadministered test or answers to an unadministered test.


6. Breaking and entering into a building or office for the purpose of obtaining an unauthorized test.


7. Continuing work on an examination or assignment after the allocated time has elapsed.


8. Submitting the same work for more than one class without disclosure and approval.

Procedures for Handling Incidents of Academic Dishonesty or Other Academic Misconduct
Faculty members are responsible to establish and communicate to students their expectations of behavior with respect to academic honesty and the student's conduct in the course. The responsible instructor shall investigate the incident, determine and take an appropriate action, and notify the Honor Code Office of the final disposition of any incident of academic dishonesty to encourage a change in appropriate behavior and to discourage repeated violations. In addition, the instructor shall also notify the applicable program director, department chair and dean of the incident and its disposition. if the incident of academic dishonesty involves the violaton of a public law, e.g., breaking and entering into an office or stealing an examination, the act should also be reported to University Police. If an affected student disagrees with the determination or action and is unable to resolve the matter to the mutual satisfaction of the student and the instructor, the student may have the matter reviewed pursuant to the Student Academic Grievance Procedure.

Applicable Actions for Academic Dishonesty
A wide range of possible actions exists for cases of academic dishonesty. Instructors should take actions that are fair and equitable under the circumstances and should attempt to reach an understanding with the affected student on the imposition of an appropriate action. In some cases, the department, the college, or the university may also take actions independent of the instructor. Examples of possible actions include but are not limited to the following:

For instructors, programs, departments, and colleges:

• Reprimanding the student orally or in writing.
  
• Requiring work affected by the academic dishonesty to be redone.
  
• Administering a lower or failing grade on the affected assignment, test, or course.
  
• Removing the student from the course.
  
• Recommending probation, suspension, or dismissal.
  

For the university:

The university may elect to place an affected student on probation or to suspend or dismiss the student, and to place a temporary or permanent notation on the student's permanent academic transcript that he or she was suspended or dismissed due to academic misconduct.

The university may report an incident of academic misconduct to appropriate law enforcement officials and may prosecute an affected student if the act in question involves the commission of a crime (e.g., breaking into an office or building, stealing an examination, etc.).

Honor Code Office Involvement
The Honor Code Office will maintain a record of all violations of the Academic Honesty Policy reported to it by the faculty. If the occurrence is sufficiently egregious or if a pattern of dishonesty or misconduct is discovered, the Honor Code Office may take additional action on behalf of the university based upon the nature of the infraction(s). The Honor Code Office, in consultation with the involved academic personnel, including the associate academic vice-president over undergraduate studies, may determine to place a student on probation or to recommend a student be suspended or dismissed for academic dishonesty and other forms of academic misconduct.

Shared Responsibility Policy Statement
Students are responsible not only to adhere to the Honor Code requirement to be honest but also to assist other students in fulfilling their commitment to be honest.

Faculty Academic Integrity
The substantive standards of academic honesty stated in this policy apply a fortiori to faculty. Indeed, all members of the BYU community are expected to act according to the highest principles of academic integrity.

Sources
A large number of publications and policies of colleges and universities were reviewed in creating BYU's Academic Honesty Policy. Some of the content and structure of this policy were adapted from the following sources:

1. "Academic Honesty," a brochure produced by the Office of Judicial Affairs, University of Florida.
   
2. "Academic Honesty and Dishonesty," a brochure produced by the Office of the Dean of Students, University of Delaware.
   
3. "Academic Honesty and Dishonesty," a brochure produced by the Dean of Students Office, Louisiana State University.
   
4. "A Statement on Plagiarism," a committee report from the October 1994 Conference on the Center for Academic Integrity, Tom Langhorne, Binghamton University (chair).
   
5. "Definition of Plagiarism," by Harold C. Martin, taken from The Logic and Rhetoric of Exposition, by Harold C. Martin, Richard M. Ohmann, and James H. Wheatly, 3rd ed. (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1969).
   
6. Legal Aspects of Plagiarism, by Ralph D. Mawdsley (Topeka, Kansas: National Organization on Legal Problems of Education, 1985).
   
7. "Plagiarism - The Do's and Don'ts," a brochure produced by the Office of Student Judicial Affairs of the University of California--Davis.

Dress and Grooming Standards

The dress and grooming of both men and women should always be modest, neat, and clean, consistent with the dignity adherent to representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any of its institutions of higher education.

Modesty and cleanliness are important values that reflect personal dignity and integrity, through which students, staff, and faculty of BYU represent the principles and standards of the Church. Members of the BYU community commit themselves to observe the following standards, which reflect the direction of the BYU Board of Trustees and the Church publication For the Strength of Youth. (These guiding principles apply at all CES institutions of higher education. The application of these principles may vary slightly at the various institutions in accordance with local conditions and circumstances. (See separate institutional policies for more specific details on dress and grooming standards.) The BYU Dress and Grooming Standards are as follows:

Men. A clean and well-cared-for appearance should be maintained. Clothing is inappropriate when it is sleeveless, revealing, or form fitting. Shorts must be knee-length or longer. Hairstyles should be clean and neat, avoiding extreme styles or colors, and trimmed above the collar, leaving the ear uncovered. Sideburns should not extend below the earlobe or onto the cheek. If worn, mustaches should be neatly trimmed and may not extend beyond or below the corners of the mouth. Men are expected to be clean-shaven; beards are not acceptable. Earrings and other body piercing are not acceptable. Shoes should be worn in all public campus areas.

Women. A clean and well-cared-for appearance should be maintained. Clothing is inappropriate when it is sleeveless, strapless, backless, or revealing; has slits above the knee; or is form fitting. Dresses, skirts, and shorts must be knee-length or longer. Hairstyles should be clean and neat, avoiding extremes in styles and colors. Excessive ear piercing (more than one per ear) and all other body piercing are not acceptable. Shoes should be worn in all public campus areas.

Residential Living Standards

As stated in its Code of Honor, Brigham Young University is committed to providing a learning atmosphere consistent with the principles of the Church. The university is likewise committed to creating such an atmosphere for students residing on and off campus. To achieve this, BYU has established living standards to help students learn some of the high ideals and principles of behavior expected at Brigham Young University. The university requires all students to adhere to the following applicable standards:

On-Campus Visiting Hours
Deseret Towers and Helaman Halls
Visitors of the opposite sec are permitted in the lobbies but not in the bedroom area, except during an established open house or home evening time, at which times room doors must remain open. Lobby visiting hours begin after 8:00 a.m. and extend until 12:00 midnight, Monday through Thursday and Saturday. On Friday night, lobby visiting hours extend until 1:30 a.m. Sunday visiting hours begin after noon and extend until midnight.

Heritage Halls
Visitors of the opposite sex are permitted in the lobbies and apartment kitchens but not in the bedrooms or bathrooms. Lobby visiting hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Saturday through Thursday, and extend until 1:30 a.m. on Fridays. Apartment visiting hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and extend until 12:00 midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Off-Campus Visiting Hours
Visitors of the opposite sex are permitted in the living rooms and kitchens but not in the bedrooms in off-campus living units. The use of the bathroom area by members of the opposite sex is not appropriate unless emergency or civility dictate otherwise--and then only if the safety, privacy, and sensitivity of other residents are not jeopardized. Visiting hours may begin at 9:00 a.m. and may extend until 12:00 midnight. Friday night visiting hours may extend until 1:30 a.m. Landlords may establish a shorter visiting period if proper notice is given to residents. This policy applies to all housing units occupied by single students.

Conduct
All students shall be required to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the principles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the BYU Honor Code. Furthermore, all students are required to abstain from possessing, serving, or consuming alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, or harmful drugs.

Involvement with gambling; pornographic, erotic, or indecent material; disorderly, obscene, or indecent conduct or expressions; or with other offensive materials, expressions, or conduct or disruption of the peace that, in the sole discretion and judgment of the university, is inconsistent with the principles of the Church and the BYU Honor Code is not permitted in student housing. All guests of students must comply with the Residential Living Standards while on the premises of university-approved housing. All students are required to know the dress and grooming standards and abide by them.