The Honor Code
For fall semester the Honor Council has resumed its usual procedures. However, we will be moving our hearings fully online.

The Honor Code
“I have neither given or received, nor have I tolerated others’ use of unauthorized aid.”
This statement is written on all homework, quizzes, and exams at Valparaiso University. Every student must write out the Honor Code in full and sign it for all work submitted for academic credit. The Honor Code expresses the promise of the student not to cheat through either action or inaction. The use of these words expresses the faith of the faculty in the student body.

Mission and values
Related Sources
About Valpo’s Honor Code
Valparaiso University is proud to be one of a select few universities to operate under a student-run honor system.
The Honor System is a cherished tradition of Valparaiso University. Covering all work submitted for academic credit, the Honor System is based on the highest principles of ethics and honesty in class work and campus life. The Honor System is also regarded as an expression of the Christian character of the University.
The Honor Code was established in 1943 by students with the support of the faculty. Signing one’s name to the honor code not only ensures academic pride and integrity of oneself and others but also one’s commitment to a future composed of honest work and integrity.
Approved by HC Exec Board: 8/23/23
Last Revised: 8/28/23 (minor revisions)
The guidelines are ONLY for a 1st offense. For 2nd & 3rd offenses, the standard sanction applies.
1. EDUCATIONAL TASK ONLY:
Example: a student plagiarized a paper by not citing correctly
Task: Student must write a 2-3 page paper on the importance of correct citation (with citations as part of the paper) for their professor.
- A warning: to be used when the HC hearing is sufficient to deter further HC violations
- Write a 2-3 Page Reflection paper: Be sure to specify topic related to offense
- Write a 1-Page Apology Letter: Be sure to specify addressee and any other specifics
- Complete this online course (estimated time: 2 hours) from Indiana University and get the certificate: How to Recognize Plagiarism:Tutorials and Tests
- Meet with your professor during office hours to discuss authorized/unauthorized aid
- For certain courses, going to SI/Help sessions if available
- Attend a specific number of office hours with their professor
- Other educational tasks as determined by the panel (or suggested by professor)
NOTE 1: The only authorized aid for these tasks is your brain and your own words.
NOTE 2: Upon completion of the educational task(s) assigned, the first offense could be expunged from the student’s record.
2. EDUCATIONAL TASK PLUS ACADEMIC SANCTION:
One of the above educational tasks above plus one of the sanctions listed below
NOTE: Upon completion of the educational task(s) assigned, the first offense could be expunged from the student’s record. (However, the academic sanction still applies.)
3. ACADEMIC SANCTION ONLY:
- Re-do the assignment (for full credit or partial credit, after consultation with professor)
- A zero on the assignment
- FULL STANDARD SANCTION: A zero on the assignment and a ⅓ letter grade reduction for the course.
NOTE: If there are aggravating circumstances, a harsher academic sanction could apply.
As many of you know, generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) in such forms as ChatGPT, iA Writer, and DALL-E has raised concerns about students using AI for assignments without notifying instructors. There have already been Honor Council cases in which students are alleged to have used AI for assignments without attribution.
AI-Detection Tools:
There are alleged AI-detection tools out there. However, as this technology is still evolving, these tools are suspected to be accurate less than 60 percent of the time, with some institutions choosing to disable the tools completely (Teaching Center doesn’t endorse any generative AI detection tools | University Times | University of Pittsburgh).
Therefore we suggest that you do NOT rely on these tools to determine whether a student has used AI without attribution. As of this date (8/24/23), the Honor Council will not accept the evidence of AI-Detection tools alone, additional evidence that a student used AI in an unauthorized way is required (see below for examples).
Examples of what would constitute possible evidence of the use of AI:
- Your syllabus or assignment language about the use of AI
- Early outlines and drafts of papers where students show you their thinking in progress
- A handwritten in-class assignment early on as a baseline of student writing
- An annotated bibliography where students state exactly how they have used this source in their assignment
- The student’s highlighting in different colors the places in their paper where they used their various sources
- “Fake” sources listed (since AI will generate fake sources)
We strongly suggest that you address AI directly in your syllabi.
EXAMPLE SYLLABUS STATEMENTS ON AI:
- There are a wide range of possible responses to AI, ranging from “use prohibited” to “use freely.” Examples of syllabus language for each of these options are available here: Considerations for using and addressing advanced automated tools in coursework and assignments
- Other sample syllabi statements for a wide range of disciplines are listed in this document: Classroom Policies for AI Generative Tools
- In August 2023 Professor Derek Bruff presented at Valpo’s all faculty workshop on “Teaching & Learning in the Age of Generative AI.” Some of his PP slides give specific examples of syllabus language to use. See, for example, slides 43-51 in this link: Teaching & Learning in the Age of Generative AI
AI AND YOUR ASSIGNMENTS:
The widespread use of AI might also cause you to rethink some of your assignments, whether to discourage AI misuse or to promote new types of learning related to digital literacy in your field.
If you choose to incorporate AI in any of your assignments, here are some guidelines for citing it in MLA, APA, and Chicago Style: How to Cite Artificial Intelligence
Derek Bruff (cited above) has said that there is no way to make an assignment AI-proof. However, there are ways to make your assignments and exams more AI-resistant, such as :
- Require students to cite specific content from class discussions
- Use oral exams, including small group orals, to assess student learning
- Require early outlines and drafts of papers where students show you their thinking in progress
- Have one handwritten in-class assignment early on as a baseline of student writing
- Require an annotated bibliography where students state exactly how they have used this source in their assignment
- Ask them to highlight in different colors the places in their paper where they used their various sources
- Use personalized or creative prompts that draw on students’ own life experiences
- For specific assignments or exams, rather than an exhaustive list of unauthorized aid, simply state clearly what counts as authorized aid: “The only authorized aid for this exam is your brain and your pen.”
We hope that this information will help you navigate these changing waters. Generative AI is likely here to stay and we need to help our students understand and use it responsibly.
The student-initiated and administered Honor System is a strong distinguishing characteristic of Valparaiso University. In sanctioning the Honor System, the University assumes that students are able and willing to accept the rights and responsibilities of honorable conduct both as a matter of personal integrity and as a commitment to the values to which the University community commits itself.
It is the responsibility of instructors to define what constitutes authorized and unauthorized aid in their courses. It is the responsibility of students to honor such definitions and to inquire for additional clarification if and when questions arise about possible violations of the Honor Code.
Actions that would be considered violations of the Honor Code include:
- Misrepresentation
- Using unauthorized materials during examinations
- Failing to observe examination time limits
- Plagiarism
- Willful obstruction of the educational process for others
The Graduate Educational Policy Committee is responsible for administering the Honor Code in the Graduate Office and for supervising procedures of adjudication and penalty. To this end the Graduate Educational Policy Committee establishes annually the Executive Committee, Graduate Honor Council, and the Graduate Appeals Panel.
The Executive Committee consists of three faculty members appointed by the Graduate Educational Policy Committee. The Graduate Honor Council consists of three graduate students from the Graduate Student Advisory Council and one faculty member chosen by the Graduate Educational Policy Committee. The Graduate Appeals Panel consists of three graduate students from the Graduate Student Advisory Council and two faculty members chosen annually by the Graduate Educational Policy Committee. Memberships on the Executive Committee, Graduate Honor Council, and the Graduate Appeals Panel are mutually exclusive.
Notices, complaints, or information relating to possible violations of the Honor Code should be brought to the dean of the respective college. Complaints must be received from an identifiable source. It is typically the case that grades will not be assigned to student work under question in the honor code adjudication process until the outcome of the case has been determined.
A student may not take a grade of W in a course to avoid the Honor Code process. Should the student withdraw themselves from the course they will not be able to re-register at Valparaiso University until the Honor Code Allegation has been resolved according to the procedures outlined here.
The graduate student to whom a formal complaint has been addressed (the respondent) may consent to an informal resolution made by the dean with input from the faculty member and under the review of the Executive Committee. If the student does not consent to an informal resolution, the case will proceed formally as follows in Level I. If the student chooses not to participate, the decision of the Honor Council is final.
Contact Information
Honor Council (General)