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The Code of Honor

Personal honor, integrity, faith, and respect for the word of one another are the basis of the Bridgewater College Honor Code. The Honor Code prohibits lying, cheating, and stealing. Violation of the Code by a student is a serious offense, which can result in his or her dismissal from Bridgewater. The Honor System is controlled and administered by the Honor Council, an important adjunct to the Student Government.

What are Your Responsibilities?

It is the responsibility of each student to understand the Honor Code. Ignorance of the Honor Code will not be accepted as a defense. It is also the responsibility of each student to confront the offender or report known infractions of the Honor Code to the Honor Council.

What Offenses Are Referred To the Honor Council?

The Honor Council handles cases related only to lying, cheating, stealing, or aiding another student in the commission of an offense. The definitions of each are as follows:

Lying

* The willful presentation of fraudulent information in either verbal or written form.

Cheating

* The unauthorized act or effort to give or receive help on work claimed to be one's own.

* Plagiarism, which is defined as the use of another person's ideas or thoughts which are not common knowledge without acknowledging the source.

Stealing

* The taking or appropriation of another's property without consent.

* Conspiring to take or appropriate another's property without consent.

* The reception of property known to have been stolen.

The Failure to confront the offender or report suspected infractions of the Honor Code are also considered a violation.

What Follows Suspicion?

If a student's name is turned in to the Honor Council, two investigators are assigned to develop the case. If enough evidence is found for the case to come to a hearing, one is set. The members of the Honor Council hear the case, with the Chairperson presiding. They hear all evidence that is presented at the hearing, along with all witnesses pertinent to the case and the defendant. The Council, then, decides whether or not the student is guilty. A student found guilty can expect a sentence ranging from Honor Council probation to expulsion. A student found guilty may appeal to the President of the College, who may either hear the case himself or appoint an Appellate Board, composed of five professors.

Confidentiality

Each member of the Honor Council takes an oath to keep all information about all cases completely confidential. While all decisions of the Honor Council shall be made public to the campus community, names will not be disclosed under any circumstances.

What is the Honor Council?

The Council represents the student body and serves as one branch of government. The Council consists of nine members, all upperclassmen, appointed by the Student Body President. Among the members, a Chairperson is selected by the Student Body President and confirmed by the Council. Once a student has been appointed to the Council, he/she takes an oath to keep all cases confidential and remains on the Council until graduation from Bridgewater College. In addition, three investigators are appointed by the Chairperson to develop any cases that arise. The Council's job is to deal with those who are unable to uphold the Honor Code.