Student Resources

Over a century ago, a student-led initiative created an honor system to govern integrity in all academic assignments, while providing a platform for the fair consideration of allegations. Every avenue for resolution includes input from a student member of the Honor Council.

The Honor Code applies to any action or inaction that fails to meet the communal expectations of academic integrity. Students should strive to excel in their academic pursuits in a just way with honesty and fairness in mind and avoid all instances of cheating, lying, plagiarizing, or engaging in other acts that violate the Honor Code. Such violations undermine both the individual pursuit of knowledge and the collective trust of the Emory community.

Academic Integrity

Need help with citations?

Seek support from the Oxford Writing and Communication Center by scheduling an appointment or by reviewing Emory Libraries resources for Citing and Using Sources. 

Feeling lost in one of your courses? 

Seek support from the Oxford Advising Support Center or plan to attend their professor’s office hours. 

Unsure if something might be an Honor Code violation? 

Reach out to OxHonor@emory.edu for advice on how to handle a situation or to report a case as a witness. 

Scheduling a Procedures Overview Appointment

Once you’ve received notice of a possible honor code violation, schedule a meeting with the Honor Code Administrator, Dean Valerie Molyneaux. At the appointment, you can ask personalized questions that apply to your current circumstances. The notice will include instructions for scheduling. 

Honor Code Record Checks

Oxford College Academic Affairs is the custodian of records relating to academic performance and academic misconduct in Oxford College only. Each academic unit is responsible for their own academic misconduct records.  

Any student or alum may review their Honor Code record or request a Dean's Certification Letter. Please contact OxHonor@emory.edu regarding this.  

Inquiries about any student’s record of non-academic misconduct should be addressed to Student Conduct or Emory’s Office of Title IX. 

Join the Honor Council

For Oxford College students interested in serving on the Honor Council, the application process is typically open at the start of the fall semester.  

Interested in joining the Honor Council? Express your interest by reaching out via OxHonor@emory.edu! 

Student Frequently Asked Questions

Your notice of the alleged violation includes an invitation to meet with Dean Valerie Molyneaux. Schedule your meeting promptly. 

Next, take some deep breaths. As needed, make prompt and thorough use of Oxford’s many resources, including but not limited to the Center for Counseling and Wellbeing, the Chaplain’s Office, Advising Support Center, and more. 

While Emory takes academic integrity very seriously, it is also the case that first-time violations of the Honor Code typically result in no more than a reduction in the final letter grade and honor code probation. Contrary to fears you may have when suspected of a violation, an honor code case does not derail most student’s futures. 

It does provide reported students time to reflect on why they are at college, why integrity matters to them personally, and how a culture of academic integrity creates a better environment for learning, researching, working, and creating knowledge.   

Consider telling someone close to you. Sharing the situation with someone you trust and who cares for you often helps. Oxford College may not, as per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, inform your parents or guardians. You may do that yourself at any time, or not at all. 

The vast majority of cases are resolved via the Informal Resolution Meeting route, in which students acknowledge a violation of the Honor Code. The IRM process takes 3 to 3.5 weeks from report to closure of the appeal period.  

Cases for students who elect the full hearing route take 4-8 weeks to resolve.  

Any appeal filed by the student adds another 1-5 to 2 weeks to each respective process. 

A verbal warning is not considered an institutional action by Emory. Any Honor Council at Emory University will be aware of any prior offenses, including those that result in a verbal warning, when a student is found responsible for a subsequent violation. However, verbal warnings are not reported to other university offices or outside institutions.  

Honor Code probation signifies that a student is not in good standing with Emory until the period of probation has concluded. Good standing is required for participation in special programs, including study abroad and transient study. Other university sponsored programs may ask this information in applications and use their discretion in determining if a student is an appropriate fit for the program. Be advised that university sponsored programs and their eligibility requirements are subject to change. Students should conduct their own review of program materials concerning eligibility. Honor Code probation also creates a reportable record within Emory College that may be shared with graduate and professional schools, employers, or other programs within or outside of Emory for a minimum of five years.

OxHonor@emory.edu or Dean Valerie Molyneaux.  

Reported students may not discuss the allegation with their faculty member, other involved students, or any witnesses while the case is open. 

All members of the Emory community are obligated to report any suspicions of academic misconduct. To report a possible Honor Code violation, submit this form or email OxHonor@emory.edu.