2014/2015

The following changes to the Honor Code had been proposed to Student Senate and have been accepted after two hearing and publication of the proposed changes in Chips.  

1) Definition Plagiarism

Old:
Plagiarism. Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic exercise. The term includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

New:
Plagiarism. Using or representing the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic exercise. The term includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

Explanation:
If a text or an idea has been taken from another person is in itself not a question of intend. A text can be plagiarized even if there was no intention. If, for example, someone simply forgets to identify a passage from another text as quote, that passage is plagiarized because it actually has been written by someone else and that author has not been identified.

2)  Section 6.1.5

Old: 6.1.5 Recommendation of probation, suspension, or dismissal.
New: 6.1.5 Recommendation of suspension, or dismissal.

Explanation: The sanction “probation” in the context of a violation of the Honor Code does not exist.

3) Position of the Honor Council Secretary

Old:

     3.4 The responsibilities of the Honor Council Secretary are:
     3.4.1 To keep the minutes of the Honor Council meetings.
     3.4.2 To maintain the website of the Honor Council.
     3.4.3 To assist the HCEC where and when needed.

New:

     3.4 The responsibilities of the Honor Council Vice Chair are:
     3.4.1 To keep the minutes of the Honor Council meetings.
     3.4.2 To maintain the website of the Honor Council.
     3.4.3 To supervise and assist the HCEC where and when needed.

Explanation:
To help the Honor Council Chair and to improve the work of the HCEC, the position of the Honor Council Secretary is “upgraded” and gets additional responsibilities as the new chair of the HCEC. The language of the Honor Code will be changed accordingly wherever the Honor Council Secretary is mentioned.

4) Term of the Honor Council Chair / Honor Council Secretary

Old:

2.2.1 The Honor Council Chair is elected by and from the Honor Council for one academic year with no term limit.
2.2.2 The Honor Council Secretary is elected by and from the Honor Council for one academic year with no term limit.

New:
2.2.1 The Honor Council Chair is elected by and from the Honor Council for one year with no term limit.
2.2.2 The Honor Council Vice Chair is elected by and from the Honor Council for one year with no term limit.

Explanation:
To ensure that there is continuity in the leadership, especially at the beginning of the fall semester, when there are usually several cases from the previous spring that have to be resolved.

5) Time between notification of a respondent and the hearing

Old:

4.3.2 The HCC will select the date, time and place for the Honor Board Review, and notify the Respondent (student alleged to have violated the Honor Code) by personal delivery, certified mail, or by encrypted electronic mail (with receipt confirmed), a minimum of seven (7) days prior to the Honor Board Review.

New:

4.3.2 The HCC will select the date, time and place for the Honor Board Review, and notify the Respondent (student alleged to have violated the Honor Code) by personal delivery, certified mail, or by encrypted electronic mail (with receipt confirmed), a minimum of three (3) class days prior to the Honor Board Review.

Explanation:
The 7 day period is considerably slowing down the work of the Honor Council. At a small, residential college such as Luther, students are usually able to come to a hearing if it is scheduled within three class days. It is in the interest of all involved parties to resolve a case as quickly as possible.

6) Sharing of information

Old:4.1 All aspects of the Honor Code Reviews are confidential and cannot be shared with anyone outside the HCRB unless the investigation urgently requires it.

New:

4.1 All aspects of the Honor Code Reviews are confidential and cannot be shared with anyone outside the HCRB unless the investigation or the Honor Code require it.

Explanation: Some information of hearings must be shared with others, e.g. the result of a hearing should be know to the instructor of a  course. While this type of sharing is mostly included in 4.13, it is in conflict with 4.1 (as the notification is not seen as being a part of the investigation). Therefore, it was included that some sharing is part of the procedure. The word "urgently" is removed not in order to water down the standards, but because the HC felt that it is already implied.

7) Responsibilities of the HCVC

Addition to 3.4:

3.4.4 To lead Review Board meetings when the HCC is not available.

Explanation: The Honor Council Vice Chair should be able to support the HCC with the work on the HCRB. Until now, a review cannot be conducted if the HCC is not available as the HCC is the only person allowed by the Honor Code to lead the review. This can cause delays.