As a member of the Willamette University community, it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities, University protocol and procedures, and University services available to help you when you need assistance. Willamette University policies govern all graduate and undergraduate students of Willamette University except where specifically noted within the description of a policy or procedure. University-wide policies and procedures are available online: Willamette University Student Rights and Responsibilities and Willamette University Standards of Conduct

The Atkinson School Honor Code applies to issues of academic honesty and professional behavior of students enrolled in Atkinson School courses. The Honor Code is intended to create and sustain an environment of honor and trust, encourage each person to develop to his or her full potential, and promote a positive set of values and behaviors that distinguish members of the Atkinson School community in their personal and professional lives. The Honor Code also gives students an important role in resolving issues of academic honesty and professional behavior.

It is the desire of the Atkinson School community to have a culture of honesty that prevents violations of the Honor Code before they occur, rather than to impose sanctions after a violation. This calls for all members of the community to encourage compliance with the Honor Code, whether it be in regard to their own actions or the actions of others. To encourage awareness, compliance and the positive effects of the Honor Code system, every student enrolled in an MBA course, every faculty member and every staff member is asked to acknowledge the Atkinson School Honor Code.

All members of the Atkinson community should feel empowered to address Honor Code violations and potential Honor Code violations. If a member of the community is aware that a student or group of students is considering violating the Honor Code, it is appropriate to remind those considering violating the Code that they have other choices, and that it is always better for a student to do their own work even if it means they will get a lower grade on a test or assignment than to experience the personal, academic and professional consequences associated with violating the Honor Code. If the student has already violated the Honor Code, it is appropriate to encourage the person to tell the professor or the Honor Code Officer of their violation. If the concerned member or the Atkinson Community does not feel comfortable talking with the student who violated the code, the person may talk to the professor or the Honor Code Officer. The Honor Code Officer for the MBA for Professionals program for 2015-16 is Alex Subert, Associate Dean/Director of Admission.

The Atkinson Honor Code supplements, but does not replace, Willamette University policies related to student conduct. Incidents of conduct involving interpersonal violence, harassment, sexual misconduct, discrimination, dating violence, domestic violence, threats of violence, theft, damage to property, weapons, illegal use or abuse of alcohol or drugs, failure to comply with the terms of any agreement or sanctions imposed in accordance with the Willamette University Student Rights & Responsibilities, will generally be processed through the Willamette University conduct process.

However, the Atkinson School reserves the right to perform a preliminary investigation and consult with the University's Director of Student Rights & Responsibilities to determine whether the process for any given situation will reside within the conduct procedures of the Atkinson School, the University, or both. MBA for Professionals students who are involved in a Willamette University conduct process are required to meet with the Atkinson School Associate Dean/Director of Admission (or other designated administrator) to discuss the conduct process and the professional behavior expected of the student while moving through the University conduct process.

A discussion of expected academic and professional behavior of Atkinson School students is available in the segment of the Student Handbook titled "Expectations of Academic and Professional Behavior."


The Atkinson Graduate School of Management Honor Code

"The Atkinson Graduate School of Management (Atkinson) develops ethically responsible managers and leaders through a culture honoring the highest standards of academic integrity, ethical conduct, and professionalism. The Atkinson Honor Code sustains an environment of honor and trust in the Atkinson community.

Atkinson advocates for the values of Integrity, Human Dignity, Integration, and Excellence in fulfilling its mission of providing a premier management education for aspirants to management in the private, not-for-profit, and public sectors. Atkinson's adherence to Willamette University's motto -- Non nobis solum nati sumus (Not unto ourselves alone are we born) -- exemplifies a commitment to its stakeholders and community.

Honesty and integrity are essential qualities to the practice and profession of management and ought to guide all individual members in fully developing his or her potential. Atkinson's distinct culture demands a community of members who accept individual responsibility and excellence, compassion, professional and personal integrity, teamwork, drive, and passion.

All members must therefore agree to abide by and promote the following standards of professionalism and excellence that constitute our Honor Code:

  • Not seek an unfair advantage over other members, including but not limited to giving or receiving unauthorized aid during completion of academic and professional requirements;
  • To honestly represent one's self and facts at all times;
  • To respect the personal and property rights of all members of the Atkinson community; and
  • Uphold this Honor Code by fully cooperating with and protecting the privacy of the proceedings.

Atkinson members are expected to adhere to all policies and requirements of Willamette University and abide by all applicable laws and regulations.

Each member is responsible for his or her behavior in the academic and professional communities. For members of the Atkinson community, any violation of this Honor Code should result in disciplinary action."


Applying the Honor Code to Academic Honesty

The Atkinson School values honesty and integrity as essential qualities of an effective learning experience and the practice and profession of management. As such, all members of the Atkinson School community are expected to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity in all aspects of the Atkinson School experience.

Historically, academic honesty violations at the Atkinson School involve one or more students making a poor decision. Some violations have been deliberate and some have been unintentional. It is important to know that all violations, whether deliberate or unintended, will trigger a review and consequence process consistent with the policies and procedures detailed in this document.

It is also important to know that it is always better for a student to do their own work and present their work honestly – even if it means getting a lower grade on a test or assignment – than to experience the personal, academic, reputational and professional consequences associated with violating academic honesty.

Honor Code violations of academic honesty pertain to actions that occur within the realm of class deliverables, tests, team projects, presentations, papers, grading and attendance records, communication with the professor, and communication with other students.

Specific violations of academic honesty include but are not limited to the following:

Plagiarism: "Plagiarism" is the improper use of another person's ideas or words without acknowledgment. Examples of plagiarism include: 1) failing to use quotation marks when quoting from a source; 2) failing to document the source of distinctive ideas, or 3) fabricating or inventing sources.

Cheating: “Cheating" is the unauthorized use of materials or giving or receiving unauthorized assistance during an examination or other academic exercise. Specific examples of cheating include: 1) collaborating with another student on a deliverable, test, or other academic work beyond the level designated for the assignment; 2) copying the work of another student or permitting another student to copy your work during an examination or other academic exercise; 3) taking an examination or completing an assignment for another student, or allowing another student to take your examination or complete your assignment; and 4) possessing unauthorized notes, study sheets or other materials during an examination.

Unauthorized Possession or Disposition of Academic Materials: “Unauthorized Possession or Disposition” includes: 1) taking, selling or purchasing examinations or other academic work; 2) taking another student's academic work without permission; 3) facilitating academic dishonesty; and 4) submitting the same paper for two different classes without specific authorization from the two faculty members.

Misrepresentation: “Misrepresentation” includes but is not limited to: 1) lying to a faculty member, staff member or client in regard to a course or academic activity; 2) falsifying information, records or documents.

A discussion of expected academic behavior of Atkinson School students is available in the segment of the Student Handbook titled "Expectations of Academic and Professional Behavior."

In the absence of a specific policy or regulation within the area of academic honesty the Honor Code standards of excellence will be the default Atkinson School policy. As such, students are expected to:

  • not seek an unfair advantage over other members, including but not limited to giving or receiving unauthorized aid during completion of academic and professional requirements;
  • honestly represent one’s self and facts at all times;
  • respect the personal and property rights of all members of the Atkinson community.

Any behavior found to be a violation of the Honor Code, is a violation of the Honor Code regardless of the severity of the violation or the severity of the consequence.



Applying the Honor Code to Professional Behavior

The Atkinson School values integrity, ethical conduct, teamwork, and professional behavior as essential elements of personal and professional growth. As such, all members of the Atkinson School community are expected to conduct themselves according to these tenets in all aspects of the Atkinson School experience and all interactions with peers, faculty, clients, staff, and guests of the Atkinson School.

Students are expected to engage in professional behavior that contributes to their academic and professional development as well as the good of the entire Atkinson community. While the definition of professional behavior may vary with different industries, an overview of professional behavior generally includes the following qualities.

  • Behaving with integrity and honesty
  • Communicating with courtesy and respect
  • Meeting your commitments and responsibilities
  • Recognizing and learning from your mistakes
  • Respecting the personal and property rights of others
  • Accepting and providing feedback for continuous improvement
  • Maintaining professional behavior under stress

Honor Code violations of professional behavior pertain to a student’s conduct within the educational process, learning environment, use of University facilities and resources, group process and team responsibilities, student activities, school guests, client interactions, on-campus and off-campus events, internship supervisors, places of employment, career management activities, and communication with others, etc.

A discussion of expected professional behavior of Atkinson School students is available in the segment of the Student Handbook titled "Expectations of Academic and Professional Behavior."

In the absence of a specific policy or regulation within the area of professional behavior, the Honor Code standards of excellence will be the default Atkinson School policy. As such, students are expected to:

  • not seek an unfair advantage over other members, including but not limited to giving or receiving unauthorized aid during completion of academic and professional requirements;
  • honestly represent one’s self and facts at all times;
  • respect the personal and property rights of all members of the Atkinson community.

Atkinson School students, faculty and staff are encouraged to be proactive in discussing and resolving their general concerns, differences, and misunderstandings with individuals informally. The accepted informal process for people concerned about the professional behavior of a student is to communicate with the student involved in the concern. If this step is not possible or if it does not resolve the issue, communicate with the Atkinson professor or staff member connected with the course or activity in which the issues are occurring.

If the informal process does not resolve the concern, or if the concern is deemed to be of a serious nature, the concerned person should talk to the Honor Code Officer about the concern.

If the issue is related to team or group process, be sure to utilize the Atkinson School Group and Team Process Facilitation Program.



The People Involved in Investigating and Resolving a Violation of the Honor Code
The people involved in the Honor Code process are the Honor Code Officer, the Honor Code Council, the respondent, and the reporter.

Respondent: The respondent is the student accused of violating the Honor Code.

Reporter: The reporter is any person who speaks to the Honor Code Officer about their concerns that a violation of the Honor Code has occurred.

Honor Code Officer: The Honor Code Officer will meet with any person who wishes to report an incident believed to be a violation of the Honor Code. The Honor Code Officer is a member of the full-time faculty or administrative staff who has been appointed by the Dean to serve for a period of three consecutive semesters: fall, spring and summer.

The Honor Code Officer is a neutral fact-finder who is responsible for investigating reported violations of the Honor Code, working with the reporter and the respondent to determine a resolution, forwarding cases to the Honor Council and appeals to the Dean, communicating decisions to the reporter and respondent, and documenting Honor Code cases.

At the beginning of each academic year the Honor Code Officer will inform the Atkinson School community of their appointment and the honor code process. The Honor Code Officer for the MBAP program for 2015-16 (fall 2015, spring 2016 and summer 2016) is Alex Subert, Associate Dean/Director of Admission.

Honor Council: The Honor Council promotes a culture of honor at the Atkinson School, informs students about the Honor Code, and reports to the Atkinson School Student Affairs Committee. The Honor Council is composed of seven members: five students, who are voting members of the Council; one member of the full-time faculty who is an advisory non-voting member of the Council; and one member of the administrative staff who is an advisory non-voting member of the Council. Student members of the Honor Council are selected during the fall semester of each academic year. Advisory members (one member of the full-time faculty and one member of the administrative staff) are appointed by the Dean.

When an alleged violation is formally referred to the Honor Council via the Honor Code process, the council investigates the case, conducts the hearing of the case, and determines whether the respondent is responsible or not responsible for violating the Honor Code. If the respondent is found responsible for violating the Honor Code, the Council determines consequences commensurate with the incident. The Council seeks to make its decisions by consensus. When consensus is impossible, a majority vote determines the decision.



The Process for Investigating and Resolving a Violation of the Honor Code
The process involved in investigating and resolving violations of the Honor Code is as follows:

Step 1. Any person who thinks a student or group of students has violated the Honor Code must meet with the Honor Code Officer within 20 working days of the incident to discuss the alleged violation and identify the student(s) involved. Based on the discussion, the Honor Code Officer will decide whether an Honor Code investigation is merited. If the decision is not to investigate, the process is complete and no further actions are taken. If the decision is to investigate, the process moves to Step 2.

Step 2: The Honor Code Officer will meet with the respondent within five (5) working days of receiving the report. Following this meeting the Honor Code Officer will gather evidence and meet with witnesses to determine the validity of the report. The Honor Code Officer will be in communication with the reporter and the respondent throughout this period. The respondent may not withdraw from any course involved in the formal charge for the purpose of circumventing the process.

Step 3: After completing the investigation, the Honor Code Officer will propose a resolution to the reporter and the respondent, and attempt to reach consensus in regard to the resolution. The resolution may or may not involve a formal charge of violating the Honor Code.

If a formal charge of violating the Honor Code is made, the consequences for a respondent found “responsible” for the violation may include (but are not limited to) one or more of the sanctions listed below.

  • verbal or written warning
  • verbal or written reprimand
  • required written statement by the student found responsible, acknowledging the violation and reaffirming his/her commitment to follow the Honor Code
  • required submission of additional course work
  • assignment of the grade of “F” for a course deliverable or test
  • assignment of the grade of “F” for a course
  • withdrawal from the course
  • loss of scholarship assistance
  • restitution to others harmed by the conduct
  • required skill-building or training
  • monitored probation requiring specific behaviors and outcomes during the probation period
  • exclusion from participating in specific class or leadership activities, career management programs, courses involving travel to another site, and other activities in which the respondent would be seen as a representative of the University
  • suspension from the MBA program
  • permanent dismissal from the MBA program

The consequence for violating the Honor Code should reflect the following considerations:

  • whether the respondent’s conduct was purposeful, knowing, reckless or merely negligent
  • whether the respondent has been previously found responsible for violating the Honor Code
  • any need to protect the learning environment from repeated violations from the respondent or other students
  • the removal of any unfair advantage gained by the conduct
  • restitution to another person if injured by the respondent’s conduct
  • sensitivity to the impact upon the respondent’s reputation and future

Step 4(a): If the reporter, respondent and Honor Code Officer reach consensus on the resolution from Step 3, the Honor Code Officer will document the file accordingly. If a formal charge of violating the Honor Code was part of the resolution, the Honor Code Officer will discuss the potential consequences of a 2nd violation of the Honor Code and the file-documentation process with the respondent. This ends the process.

Reporters and respondents who agree to the resolution give up the right to an Honor Council hearing or appeal for this charge.

Documentation will be removed from the respondent’s file at graduation except in the case where a violation of academic honesty constitutes part of the case for permanent dismissal of a student.

Step 4(b): If the Honor Code Officer is unable to reach consensus with the reporter and the respondent, the Honor Code Officer will forward the case to the Honor Council within five (5) working days. The Honor Code Officer will meet with the respondent and reporter to explain the Honor Council process. The process will move to Step 5 – the Honor Council hearing.

Step 5: The Honor Council will conduct a private hearing (closed to the public) within five (5) working days of referral by the Honor Code Officer. The respondent, reporter, witnesses, and the Honor Code Officer may address the Honor Council and present documentation.

The respondent and/or reporter may bring a support advocate to the hearing. The advocate may talk to the person for whom they are providing support, but they may not speak on behalf of the person or address others at the hearing.

When the hearing begins, the Honor Council will direct questions to the reporter, listen to the answer and ask clarifying questions to the reporter. Then the Honor Council will direct questions to the respondent, listen to the answers and ask clarifying questions. The process continues until both parties have presented their full evidence. The respondent and the reporter may only address the Honor Council; there will be no direct communication between the reporter and respondent.

The Honor Council may also direct questions to the Honor Code Officer and witnesses. The Honor Code Officer and witnesses may communicate only with the Honor Council during the hearing.

Hearings will be audiotaped. The respondent and/or the reporter may listen to the recording in the company of the Honor Code Officer. The respondent and/or reporter may obtain a written copy of the transcript of the recording by paying for the cost of transcription.

The respondent and/or reporter may submit a written explanation in lieu of attendance. The Honor Council may ask the respondent and/or reporter to clarify any portion of a written explanation. If the respondent and/or reporter fails to attend the hearing, the Honor Council may decide the case on the information, evidence and witnesses present.

During the fall and spring semesters, all hearings must be attended by at least four out of the five student voting members of the Honor Council and one non-voting member of the Honor Council. Decisions rendered by the Honor Council must be supported by at least three of the voting members of the Honor Council who attended the hearing.

For summer semester and fall semester (prior to the fall selection of the new Honor Council) there must be at least three voting members and one non-voting member available for a hearing. If the minimum attendance cannot be achieved, the case will be postponed until the Honor Council selection process occurs in the fall semester.

Step 6: The Honor Council will determine if the respondent is responsible for violating the Honor Code and determine the consequences according to the guidelines designated in Step 3.

Within two (2) working days of completion of the hearing, the Chair of the Honor Council will communicate the Honor Council’s decision(s) in writing to the Honor Code Officer and provide the audio recording of the hearing to the Honor Code Officer for storage.

The Honor Code Officer will communicate the decision to the reporter and the respondent within two (2) working days of receiving the decision from the Honor Council.

Step 7: The reporter and respondent may accept the Honor Council’s decision or may appeal the decision to the Dean by notifying the Honor Code Officer. The appeal must be received by the Honor Code Officer in writing (email or paper document) within five (5) working days of the day the reporter and respondent received notification of the decision of the Honor Council. An appeal to the Dean may only be based on:

  • significant new evidence not presented in the Honor Council hearing which was unknown to the person making the appeal at the time of the original hearing,
  • significant factual errors that have been rectified,
  • significant demonstrated failure of the Atkinson School to follow its own processes and procedures,
  • a clearly excessive consequence,
  • misconduct on the part of the Honor Code Officer or Honor Council, or
  • evidence of bias on the part of the Honor Code Office or member of the Honor Council

Step 8: The Honor Code Officer will inform the Dean of the appeal within five (5) working days of receiving the appeal from the respondent and/or reporter.

The Dean will review the case, make a decision and communicate the Dean’s position to the Honor Council and the Honor Code Officer within five (5) working days of receiving the appeal from the Honor Code Officer. The Dean may uphold the Honor Council's decision or remand the decision back to the Honor Council. The Dean may include comments or issues to be considered further by the Honor Council.

If the Dean upholds the Honor Council’s decision, the Honor Code Officer will notify the reporter and the respondent within two working days of the Dean’s decision, and will implement the Honor Council’s decision. The Honor Code Officer will document the respondent’s file with the final disposition and provide written notification to the reporter, respondent and the Honor Council. This ends the process.

If the Dean sends comments back to the Honor Council, the Honor Council will meet within five (5) working days to review the comments and move to Step 9.

Step 9: After review of the Dean's comments, the Honor Council shall reaffirm or alter its decision and notify the Honor Code Officer within five (5) working days.
The Honor Code Officer will notify the respondent and the reporter of the decision within five (5) working days of receiving the decision and will document the respondent’s file with the final disposition. At this point, the decision of the Honor Council is final.

Documentation will be removed from the respondent’s file at graduation, except in the case where a violation of academic honesty or professional behavior constitutes part of the case for permanent dismissal of a student.

If the consequence for the violation is suspension or permanent dismissal, the Honor Code Officer will notify the respondent within one (1) working day. Seven (7) working days shall elapse before the suspension or dismissal of a respondent becomes effective, unless the Dean determines an otherwise appropriate period for the suspension or dismissal to take effect.



Effect of an Ongoing Honor Code Process on Graduation and Conferral of Degree
If an Honor Code process is in progress at the time of the respondent’s normal graduation date, the graduation date will be suspended until the process has been completed (including appeal). The respondent may appeal to the Dean to participate in graduation under the “degree subject to completion” category and will not receive the diploma at the graduation ceremony.



Honor Council Governance, Selection and Responsibilities
The Honor Council operates under the Atkinson Student Affairs Committee. The Atkinson Student Affairs Committee has the right to reprimand or dismiss Honor Council members who violate the Honor Council bylaws, supervise the operation of the Honor Council and approve proposed changes to the Honor Council bylaws.

Composition of the Honor Council: The Honor Council is composed of seven members: five students, who are voting members of the Council; one member of the full-time faculty who is an advisory non-voting member of the Council; and one member of the administrative staff who is an advisory non-voting member of the Council.
The preferred representative enrollment composition of the five student voting members of the Honor Council is:

  • one first-year student enrolled in the Early Career/Career Change MBA program
  • one second-year student enrolled in the Early Career/Career Change MBA program
  • one first-year student enrolled in the MBA for Professionals program
  • one second-year student enrolled in the MBA for Professionals program, and
  • one student at large from either the Early Career/Career Change or MBA for Professionals programs

The preferred enrollment composition of the five student voting members described above is not a requirement for the Honor Council. The enrollment representation of the student members of the Honor Council may vary based on the pool of applicants and the students selected as members of the Honor Council by the Student Affairs Committee.

Honor Council Selection Process: The application, interview and selection process for student members of the Honor Council is governed by the Atkinson Student Affairs Committee. Faculty and administrative members of the Honor Council are assigned by the Dean.

Students interested in serving on the Honor Council shall apply to be a member of the Honor Council. Selection for the Honor Council occurs each fall semester. Additional selection processes may occur in fall or spring semester to replace vacancies that have occurred on the Council. The criteria for selection of student members shall include the following:

  • a commitment to the philosophy of the Honor Code;
  • a demonstrated commitment to fairness and high standards of ethical and professional behavior; and
  • strong communication skills (verbal, written and listening).

Honor Council Responsibilities: Honor Council members are responsible for communicating with students and faculty about the Honor Code and Honor Code process, ensuring the confidentiality of all information related to Honor Council cases and hearings, and suggesting improvements of the established process.

Student members of the Honor Council will determine among themselves who will be Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary.

The Chair is responsible for arranging meetings and hearings, running all meetings and hearings and informing the Honor Code Officer about the Honor Council’s recommendations and decisions.

The Vice Chair is responsible for assisting the Chair in his/her duties. In case the Chair is absent, the Vice Chair will serve the Chair’s duties. The Vice Chair is also responsible for the coordination of the communication efforts of Honor Council.

The Secretary is responsible for taking minutes and recording Honor Council meetings and hearings. He/she will ensure that each hearing is audiotaped and that the confidentiality of all Honor Council documents and recordings during the hearing session are maintained. At the end of the hearing session, the Secretary will give the Chair the audio recording and any other documents used in the hearing. The Chair will give the audio recording and documents to the Honor Code Officer who will secure the tape and the documents as records of the hearing.

Honor Council Term: The term of the Honor Council members starts when the members are selected and finishes either when the member graduates, resigns from the Honor Council or is formally removed for cause by the Student Affairs Committee. The maximum term of service is two (2) academic years.

Vacancy: If a student wishes to resign from the Honor Council or is removed from the Honor Council, the Student Academic Affairs Committee will replace the member using the selection process previously discussed.

Attendance: Council members are expected to attend all hearings and meetings unless a conflict of interest or emergency occurs. An Honor Council member may request to not participate in a hearing due to personal reason/conflict of interest. In this case the member must receive permission from the Atkinson Student Affairs Committee.

Willamette University

Atkinson Graduate School of Management

Salem Campus

Address
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6167

Portland Center

Address
200 SW Market Street, Suite 101
Portland Oregon 97201 U.S.A.
Phone
971-717-7260

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