Honor Council

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Honor Code?

A: The Honor Code is the system by which University of Memphis Law School sets out the standards of honesty and fairness in academic and professional pursuits inherent in the community of trust. The purpose of the Code is to promote and secure academic, extracurricular, and professional opportunities in an atmosphere of dignity and trust for each student in the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. The Code applies to all Memphis Law students and extends to all academic, extracurricular, and professional pursuits undertaken by students in or from the Law School. The touchstone of the Honor Code is self-regulation. Accordingly, all students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will promote the purposes of the Code. Students have the burden to inquire of the Honor Council as to whether their conduct might constitute a violation of the Honor Code.


Q: What is the Honor Council?

A: The Honor Council is the elected body which administers the Cecil C.. Humphreys School of Law Honor Code. This includes conducting investigations, hearings, and trials for alleged Honor Code violations; adopting procedures which enforce and supplement the Honor Code; and issuing policy statements which interpret the Honor Code.


Q: How is the Honor Council elected?

A: Each of the first, second, and third-year classes is allocated three seats on the Honor Council for a total of 9 seats. Every year, each class votes for council members of its own class. The three members of each class who are elected with the highest number of votes serve a one-year term. The rising Council elects from its members the Honor Council officers.


Q: What constitutes a violation of the Honor Code?

A: Violations of the Code include, among other things, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration on an examination or assignment, use of materials not authorized by the instructor, and the theft or destruction of materials needed by another student for a specific academic endeavor.


Q: How can law school students approach Honor Council members to inquire about the Honor Code, including what constitutes a violation and how to address a possible violation by another student?

A: The Honor Council holds itself out as open to inquiries regarding the Honor Code or the Honor Council. The names and email addresses of Council members will be posted prominently on this webpage, as well as on the Honor Council bulletin board. A student who approaches a Council member is assured of confidentiality. On an inquiry by a student, the Council member approached will direct the student to the appropriate section(s) of the Code that the member believes governs the student’s problem or question.

Confidentiality extends to a student who is considering reporting a possible Code violation by another student: the Honor Council will not act on a possible violation until the inquiring student formally agrees to report the violation and to cooperate in the ensuing investigation. Talking with a Council member about a possible violation WILL NOT by itself initiate the investigation process. Complete confidentiality is assured as to both the person making the inquiry and the person accused of a possible violation. Once the formal accusation is made, however, the student is bound to cooperate in the ensuing investigation and cannot renounce the charge.


Q: What are the possible penalties for a student found guilty of an Honor Code violation?

A: Possible penalties for those found to have committed an Honor Code violation are expressed within the Code.


Q: Are Honor Council meetings open to the public?

A: Yes. Students are encouraged to sit, listen, and voice concerns at any and all full Honor Council meetings. However, Hearings, Trials, and any other proceeding that implicates another student’s right to confidentiality are not open to the public (excepting those cases where an Accused opts for a public Trial).



* Questions and answers are derived from the Vanderbilt University website as we have yet to experience any potential questions as to date.

posted by SBA Board @ 6:46 AM