Preparing for a Hearing

• Once you have the allegation documentation, you have the option of preparing a written statement disputing the facts of the allegation.

• The statement should be focused and clear, and should communicate the facts (i.e. your side of the story) to the Honor Code Council.

• Stick to information that is relevant to the incident, rather than including your life story and past examples of your "character." Good people make bad decisions all the time, so your character is not in question. Rather, the question is whether you have violated the Honor Code.

• You are to send any relevant documents to the chair of the Honor Code Council for distribution to the hearing committee, at least three days prior to the hearing.

• Your documentation should be referred to in your statement as Exhibit 1, 2, 3, etc. and each copy of the document should be labeled as such.

Please note it is not required to submit a written statement.

• You will be notified of the review and the instructor's report and supporting documentation as submitted for the briefing packet, which will be e-mailed to the Honor Code Council and you.

• Review this information carefully because there may be new material you have not previously seen.

• The Honor Code Council will receive both your information and the instructor's information in a full, complete briefing packet before the scheduled start time of your review.

• Don't be adversarial, rude, confrontational, or insulting to the professor or the Honor Code Council members. Such a stance is more likely to hurt than help you.

• The hearing is not a trial or a legal proceeding, but simply an opportunity to tell your side of the story and for the Honor Code Council to determine, given the available information, if it is more likely than not that a violation of the Honor Code has occurred.

• The suggested dress code is attire that shows respect for the Honor Code Council hearing and for the seriousness of the situation.