University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Honor Code Violations

Honor Code Sanctions & Operating Procedures

The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) is the formal name for the university’s Honor Code. The Instrument establishes the general standards expected of UNC-Chapel Hill students, but it also lays out how the Honor Code is enforced.

In addition to establishing student expectations and faculty responsibility, the Instrument also contains operating procedures for implementation of the Honor System. This involves resolutions for alleged academic and conduct offenses, but many of the most serious disciplinary hearings are the result of criminal charges.

Call (919) 441-1799 today to speak to a Raleigh criminal defense attorney at Clifford Law Group.

UNC-Chapel Hill Honor Code Violations Lawyer

If you have been accused of an academic or student conduct violation at UNC-Chapel Hill, you should know that North Carolina General Statute § 116-40.11 states that students accused of any conduct violation have the right to be represented by a licensed attorney who can "fully participate during any disciplinary procedure or other procedure adopted and used by the constituent institution regarding the alleged violation." The only exceptions to this right are in cases involving UNC-Chapel Hill's Student Honor Court or allegations of academic dishonesty.

Clifford Law Group can provide legal counsel and help you achieve the most favorable outcome to your case, regardless of the seeming severity of the alleged offense. Call (919) 441-1799 today to take advantage of a free consultation that will let our firm review your case and see how we might be able to help.

UNC-Chapel Hill Honor Code Offenses

The Preamble of the Instrument states that the standards for student conduct and the means of enforcement set forth in the Instrument are adopted in furtherance of UNC-Chapel Hill interests and "serve to supplement, rather than substitute for the enforcement of the civil and criminal law applicable at large. Therefore it is not double jeopardy for the University to sanction conduct that is also sanctioned under local, state or federal law."

Under General Responsibilities, the Honor Code states that it is the responsibility of every UNC-Chapel Hill student to:

• Obey and support the enforcement of the Honor Code
• Refrain from lying, cheating, or stealing
• Conduct themselves so as not to impair significantly the welfare or the educational opportunities of others in the University community
• Refrain from conduct that impairs or may impair the capacity of University and associated personnel to perform their duties, manage resources, protect the safety and welfare of members of the University community, and maintain the integrity of the University

Contact us today to speak to a Raleigh criminal defense lawyer.

Examples of Academic Dishonesty at UNC-Chapel Hill

Conduct that is considered to be forms of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:

• Plagiarism
• Falsification, fabrication, or misrepresentation of data, information, or citations in connection with an academic assignment
• Unauthorized assistance or unauthorized collaboration in connection with academic work
• Cheating on examinations or other academic assignments
• Violating procedures pertaining to the academic process
• Deliberately furnishing false information to members of the UNC-Chapel Hill community in connection with their efforts to prevent, investigate, or enforce requirements regarding academic dishonesty
• Forging, falsifying, or misusing University documents, records, identification cards, computers, or other resources
• Assisting or aiding another to engage in acts of academic dishonesty prohibited by Section II.B

UNC-Chapel Hill Student Misconduct

Conduct "that adversely affects or creates a substantial risk of adversely affecting University interests" is broken into four areas:

Conduct Affecting Persons

• Fighting or other conduct that unreasonably endangers or inflicts physical injury upon another.
• Threats that involve violation of restraining orders or no-contact orders imposed by government or campus authorities, stalking, or other activities that create a reasonable apprehension of physical or emotional harm to an individual following a request or order to desist.
• Hazing.
• Possessing or carrying any weapon or dangerous substance.
• Operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or other substances and/or in a reckless manner so as to create a significant threat to members of the University community.
• Engaging in recklessly dangerous, disorderly or obscene conduct.
• Illegally possessing, manufacturing, selling, or delivering a controlled substance.
• Engaging in violent, forceful, threatening, intimidating, or disruptive conduct, or inciting others to engage in such individual or collective conduct.
• Engaging in conduct, or inciting others to engage in conduct that improperly restrains freedom of movement, speech, assembly, or access to premises or activities.
• Engaging in conduct within a University classroom that substantially disrupts the academic environment.
• Misrepresenting oneself as another or otherwise adversely interfering with their credit, academic standing, privacy or personal information.
• Misusing, removing, tampering with, or otherwise making less effective, equipment (including but not limited to, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, smoke detectors, and emergency call boxes) intended for use in improving or protecting the safety of members of the University community.
• Assisting or aiding another to engage in such prohibited acts.

Conduct Affecting Property

• Stealing, destroying, damaging or misusing property
• Violating University policies regarding use or management of resources including but not limited to computers, electronic resources, library resources, equipment, or supplies
• Forging, falsifying, or misusing documents, records, identification cards, computers, data, library materials, or other resources created, maintained, or used by the University or members of the University community
• Trespassing
• Assisting or aiding another to engage in such prohibited acts

Conduct Affecting the Integrity of the University

• Knowingly abusing a position of trust or responsibility.
• Disregarding the Honor Code or interfering with the judicial procedures established under this Instrument by refusing to identify oneself to a University official in pursuit of his or her duty, refusal to appear before University officials or disciplinary bodies when directed to do so, or lying to the Honor Court or judicial officials in the discharge of their duties.
• Violating the terms of disciplinary proceedings or of any sanction imposed pursuant to such proceedings.
• Using the name of the University or the names of members or organizations in the University community without authorization.
• Knowingly misrepresenting academic standing, performance, or accomplishments to members of the University community or others in order to gain an undue advantage.
• Knowingly violating officially adopted University policies designed to protect the integrity and welfare of the University and members of the campus community.
• Deliberately furnishing false or misleading information to University personnel acting in the exercise of their official duties.
• Assisting or aiding another to engage in such prohibited acts.

Group Offenses

Organized groups in or recognized by UNC-Chapel Hill are subject to the same standards as are individuals. This means that any of the above offenses by a group, its members acting in concert, or the failure of such a group to prevent such measures by its members constitutes a group offense that can be sanctioned in addition to sanctions imposed for offenses by individual students.

Find an Honor Code Violations Lawyer in Chapel Hill

While the role of a licensed attorney can be limited in certain UNC-Chapel Hill Honor Code violations, you can still consult legal counsel for knowledgeable advice about the best way to handle hearings and related proceedings.

Clifford Law Group aggressively defends students against criminal charges, but we also help them avoid devastating consequences to their academic career because of university disciplinary measures. Even in Honor Code cases in which our firm can act only as an "advisor," we can still help you prepare for any hearing and minimize any harm to your academic career.

Let our Raleigh criminal defense lawyers review your case and discuss all of your options by calling (919) 441-1799 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.