Academic Honor Code Resolution Process

Academic Honor Code Resolution Process 

The Bowdoin College Academic Honor Code covers student conduct in such activities as classroom and laboratory assignments, examinations, quizzes, papers, and presentations. It applies to work completed for Bowdoin courses as well as courses taken at other institutions, including, but not limited to, study abroad. Alleged violations of the Academic Honor Code should be brought to the attention of the Office of the Dean of Students.

Faculty who have concerns about academic dishonesty should contact Dean Jimmy Riley at j.riley@bowdoin.edu or 207-721-5007. The Office of the Dean of Students, in consultation with the Office of the Dean for Academic Affairs, will advise the faculty member on the process for resolving matters involving academic dishonesty. 

After consultation with the Office of the Dean of Students, there are two processes for alleged violations of the Academic Honor Code: 

1. Course Level: The faculty member may choose to handle the matter directly with the student at the course level and impose course-level outcomes. This may include, but is not limited to, assignment grade reduction, no credit for the assignment, required resubmission of the assignment, referral to campus resources, etc. Once the course level outcomes have been identified, the faculty member should send a comment card to the student summarizing the incident. The student’s class dean will then reach out to the student to schedule a follow-up meeting which may result in further required action.

Note: If a student is not satisfied with the faculty member’s assessment of the incident and course-level outcomes imposed, they may request the matter be referred to a formal hearing. This request should be made to the Associate Dean for Community Standards and Case Management within 5 (five) calendar days of the outcome notification. 

2. Formal Hearing: The faculty member may choose to refer the matter to the Office of the Dean of Students for resolution. This process will include a formal hearing that will result in a finding and, if the student is found responsible for a policy violation(s), applicable sanction(s).