4
b. Plagiarizing, that is, the use of someone
else’s work, including but not limited to
words, ideas, performing and/or visual
art, music, or data derived through experi-
mentation or investigation without giving
that person credit. Ignorance of the defini-
tion of plagiarism is not a defense to a
charge of plagiarism. It is the student's
responsibility to consult the faculty mem-
ber or, a Council member, or writing
handbooks designated by the course
instructor for the procedure for properly
acknowledging sources.
3.
Stealing. “Stealing” means the act of inten-
tionally taking or appropriating without the
right or permission of any individual, organi-
zational, or institutional property. The term
includes, but is not limited to, stealing off
campus, stealing from any person or business
representatives on this campus, stealing from
a computer company or any other computer-
related theft, the telephone system, vending
machines, a residence hall visitor, or any other
business while it is on this campus, and
removal of any material or equipment from
the Birmingham-Southern College Library,
Residence Halls, or other facilities without
permission.
4.
Failure to report a violation of the Honor
Code.
5.
Unless as an accused, failure to appear as a
witness before the Council as requested by
written notice.
6.
Failure to maintain confidentiality as required
in Article 10 and Article 7 of the Social Coun-
cil Constitution.
B. Class I and II Violations
1.
The suggestion of Class I and II violations
presupposes that there is a difference
between instances where violations of the
Honor Code have occurred or are alleged to
have occurred. It is believed that a Class II
violation classification will provide a mecha-
nism to encourage greater faculty participa-
tion and to allow “teaching moments” within
the Honor Council process. The purpose of
creating a distinction between Class I and
Class II violations is to make it possible to
divide the jurisdiction between Class I viola-
tions (which require consideration by the
entire Honor Council) and Class II violations
(
which may be reviewed by the Honor Coun-
cil subcommittee identified in Article 10).
2.
Ultimately, the delineation between Class I
violations and Class II violations will be deter-
mined by the extent of the violation and the
intent of the student offender. While not
exhaustive, below are several examples of vio-
lations which may constitute Class II viola-
tions:
a. Lying to a professor about not attending
class.
b. Violations on assignments that constitute a
small percentage of the course grade.
c. Lying about attendance at Cultural
Events.
d. Instances of partial academic research
citations which constitute plagiarism.
Article 5 - The Honor Oath
All students upon matriculation at Birmingham-
Southern shall take the following oath:
“
As a member of the student body of Birming-
ham-Southern College, I recognize my responsi-
bility to the traditions of the institution, to my
fellow students and to myself. I recognize the sig-
nificance of the honor system. I pledge that I
have read and understand the Constitution of the
Honor Council, including the Honor Code, and
agree to be bound by its provisions.”
Article 6 - The Honor Pledge
On all work for which students are neither to give
nor receive aid, faculty shall require students to sign
the following Honor Pledge or its equivalent:
“
I have neither given nor received aid on this
work, nor have I witnessed any such violation of
the Honor Code.”
Article 7 - Reporting a Class I or Class II Viola-
tion, Investigation and Prehearing
A. Reporting a Violation
Any student, faculty member, or staff having
knowledge of a possible Honor Code violation
must report it to the President of the Council,
Dean, or, in the case of class work, to the faculty
member concerned. The accuser may also first
approach the accused if he/she so desires, or
he/she can simply report the violation. If, howev-
er, after approaching the accused, suspicion
remains in the mind of the accuser, it is the
accuser’s duty to make certain that the suspected
violation of the Honor Code is reported to the
Council. Failure to report a violation of the
Honor Code is a violation in and of itself.
B. Investigation
Upon notification of a suspected violation of the
Honor Code, whether Class I or Class II, the
Dean shall thoroughly investigate the reported
