See also: Honor Council Web Site
Background
The importance of public trust in the legal community requires that students of the George Mason University School of Law maintain the highest levels of ethical conduct, honesty, and integrity in their legal education. Law students constitute the members of the honor committee and administer the Honor Code system at George Mason University School of Law. The goal is to protect the equity and integrity of the legal education of all students. Upholding and abiding by the principals of the Honor Code are necessary to preserve the rights of all students to a positive, fair, and open learning environment.
All allegations submitted to the Honor Code committee are investigated by members of the honor committee. In cases where a reasonable possibility exists that a violation has occurred, further proceedings are held protecting both due process and the accused students' rights to confidentiality.
The authority for establishing rules and regulations affecting student conduct at George Mason University is provided for under Section 23-9.2:3 of the Code of Virginia. The code states that state institutions of higher education have the authority ". . . to establish rules and regulations for the conduct of students while attending such institutions, and to establish rules and regulations for the dismissal of students who fail to abide by such rules and regulations.
The Honor Code Pledge
Each student at George Mason University School of Law is entering a profession where honest and ethical conduct is not only a professional responsibility, but a legal requirement. In recognition of this, each student will be treated by all other students, the faculty, and the administration as a person of honor with the highest personal integrity.
We demand of each other that each of us tell the truth, respect the property of others, and never represent the work of another as our own. We will neither provide nor accept unauthorized assistance on any school related assignment, nor shall we either intentionally mislead or impede the learning of our fellow students.
Essential to the character of the Honor Code is the obligation of each student to report any violation of the Honor Code and to participate in proceedings if called upon.
Honor Committee Guidelines of the George Mason University School of Law
The George Mason University School of Law Honor Code is available as a separate document below. This version, as amended, was adopted by the Student Bar Association (SBA) on November 20, 2011. Additional information about the Honor Code, including membership details, can be found on the Honor Council Website.
