Constitution

 

Approved by The Kansas State University Honor Council February 22, 1999
Ratified by Student Senate, April 1, 1999
Ratified by Faculty Senate, April 13, 1999
Amended May, 2003
Amended February, 2004
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Kansas State University Honor System
Constitution
Amended by Honor Council in May, 2003--Added members to the Honor Council (Aviation & Technology-4; At-large Teaching Staff-3, At-Large Students-3)
Amended by Honor Council in February, 2004--Added Graduate Students to the KSU Honor System

We, the undergraduate and graduate students and faculty of Kansas State University, in order to conduct our academic endeavors under high standards of individual responsibility, thereby promoting personal honor and integrity, set forth this constitution of the Honor System.

 

ARTICLE I. ROLE/PURPOSE

  1. The Honor System is intended to contribute to an environment at Kansas State University that fosters academic honesty and integrity.
  2. All members of the academic community, both students and faculty, are urged to report violations of the honor pledge.
  3. The honor pledge statement: On all assignments, examinations, or other course work undertaken by students, the following pledge is implied, whether or not it is stated: "On my honor, as a student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic work."
  4. The K-State Honor System specifies how alleged violations of the honor pledge are adjudicated by the Honor Council.
  5. The Honor Council employs the Faculty Senate definitions for academic dishonesty in interpreting and applying this Honor System.
  6. Grading disputes and non-academic, behavior-related issues are handled elsewhere by existing K-State systems.
  7. Breaches of faculty honesty and integrity are covered by existing university policies that are published in the Faculty Handbook.

ARTICLE II. SELECTION OF HONOR COUNCIL MEMBERS

  1. The Honor Council includes faculty and undergraduate students from each of the following colleges: Agriculture, Architecture Planning and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Human Ecology, Technology and Aviation. Each college is represented by two student and two faculty members, with the exception of the College of Arts and Sciences, which is represented by three students and three faculty members, and the College of Technology and Aviation, which is represented by four students and four faculty members. In addition, the dean of student life will appoint three staff members and the associate Provost for diversity will appoint three students at large to serve on the Honor Council. Ten graduate students will be appointed at large by the graduate student council president upon the recommendation of the Graduate Student Council.

  2. Undergraduate student members:
    1. Undergraduate students are nominated to the Honor Council by the student body president.
    2. Student nominees must have completed two semesters at Kansas State University, be in good academic standing and be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours.
    3. Diversity may be a consideration in appointing members.
    4. The student body president nominates student members from each of the previously mentioned colleges.
    5. All nominations are subject to approval by Student Senate.
    6. The student body president forwards the names of nominees to the Provost, who ensures eligibility.

  3. Graduate student members:
    1. Graduate student nominees must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing.
    2. Diversity may be a consideration in appointing members.
    3. Graduate student nominees are forwarded to the Provost who ensures eligibility

  4. Faculty Members:
    1. Faculty apply for membership to their respective dean.
    2. Deans' nominations are forwarded to the Provost and the president of the Faculty Senate who jointly approve members from each college.
    3. Diversity may be a consideration in appointing members.
    4. All appointments are subject to approval by Faculty Senate.

ARTICLE III. DUTIES OF HONOR COUNCIL MEMBERS

  1. Attend scheduled meetings of the Honor Council.
  2. Communicate and promote the Honor System to the Kansas State University community.
  3. Advise students and faculty who report violations of the honor pledge.
  4. Serve as neutral investigators of alleged honor pledge violations.
  5. Serve as panel members during hearings of alleged honor pledge violations.
  6. If elected, serve as Chair or vice-Chair of the Honor Council.

ARTICLE IV. HONOR COUNCIL TERM OF OFFICE

  1. Members' terms are two years, except for initial appointments, which are divided equally between one-year and two-year terms.
  2. Members' terms begin at the end of the spring semester and end at the conclusion of the spring semester of the final year of their appointment.
  3. No member of the Honor Council may serve two consecutive full terms.
  4. Members participate in a training process developed by the Director of the Honor System.
  5. If members resign or are removed from office, replacement appointments are made by the respective entity for the remaining portions of their terms.

ARTICLE V. REMOVAL FROM HONOR COUNCIL

Members are subject to removal from office pursuant to the procedures and grounds for removal in the bylaws.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS OF THE HONOR COUNCIL

  1. Chair
    1. The Chair is chosen annually from the membership of the Honor Council by majority vote.
    2. The Chair presides at meetings of the Honor Council and serves in a parliamentary role.
    3. The Chair, with the assistance of the Honor Council, annually evaluates the performance of the Honor System Director and forwards the evaluation and a recommendation to the Provost.
    4. If the Honor System Director has a conflict of interest in an alleged violation, the Honor Council Chair serves in the role of Honor System Director for that case.

  2. Vice Chair
    1. The vice Chair is chosen annually from the membership of the Honor Council by majority vote.
    2. The vice Chair performs the duties of the Chair when the Chair is unable to do so.

  3. Director
    1. The Director of the Honor System is appointed by the Provost to oversee the Honor Council.

    2. Director's responsibilities:
      1. Communicate and promote the Honor System to the Kansas State University community.
      2. Receive alleged violations of the Honor System.
      3. Determine whether alleged violations should proceed to a hearing panel.
      4. Select investigators, panels for hearings and appeals, and panel Chairs.
      5. Provide the equipment and technical assistance for recording hearings.
      6. Record findings of the hearing and appeal panels.
      7. Maintain the records of all Honor Council proceedings.
      8. Review Honor System policies and report annually to the Provost, Faculty Senate and Student Senate.
      9. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Honor Council.
      10. Develop and conduct a training program for members of the Honor Council.

ARTICLE VII. EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF THE HONOR COUNCIL

  1. The Provost and the dean of student life, or their representatives, may serve an advisory role at Honor Council meetings.
  2. The Director of the Honor System and staff members of the Honor Council have speaking rights during Honor Council meetings.


ARTICLE VIII. STUDENT RIGHTS

Students' rights are enumerated under Article XII of the K-State Student Governing Association constitution.

ARTICLE IX. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

  1. Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by any member of the faculty, undergraduate or graduate student at Kansas State University.
  2. All amendments must be approved by 3/4 vote of the Honor Council selected and qualified.
  3. All amendments are subject to approval by Faculty Senate and Student Senate.

ARTICLE X. INVESTIGATION AND ADJUDICATION REVISIONS

Investigation and adjudication revisions must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the total Honor Council selected and qualified.

* Excludes the School of Veterinary Medicine