The Honor System and Student Conduct:
Honor is the moral and ethical cornerstone of Washington and Lee University. This commitment to honor is recognized by every student, faculty member, administrator, and staff member of the University. Providing the common thread woven through the many aspects of this institution, honor creates a community of trust and respect affecting fundamentally the relationships of all its members.
The Board of Trustees has granted to students the privilege of overseeing the administration of the Honor System. The pledge, “On my honor, I have neither given nor received any unacknowledged aid on this paper (exam, assignment),” expresses the student’s promise that the work submitted is his or hers alone and that no unfair advantage has been taken of peers by cheating. Students’ dedication to honorable behavior in all their academic work creates a strong bond of trust among them and between them and the faculty. This student dedication and the bond that it engenders also provide the basis for the faculty member’s commitment to accepting a student’s word without question.
The dedication to behave honorably is not confined to academic life. It is expected that students will respect each other’s word and intellectual and personal property in the residence halls and the Greek houses, on the playing field, in the city of Lexington, and wherever Washington and Lee students take themselves. This principled expectation provides the foundation for the community of trust that students seek to create not only in the academic sphere but also in life outside it as well.
The School of Law operates under the Honor System. By matriculating, each student accepts the obligations of the Honor System, including recognition of the full and final responsibility of the Executive Committee of the student body for the handling of honor offenses.
Most student offenses not involving honor issues are handled by the Student Judicial Council, composed of university students. Alleged violations of sexual misconduct and of the University’s non-discrimination and harassment policy by students are heard by the Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Board. For additional information on student conduct policies and procedures, see the Student Handbook.
The Board of Trustees reserves the right to withhold the degree of any student who has been convicted of a felony by a court in any jurisdiction. Upon the satisfactory completion of that student’s court-imposed sentence, including any period of supervised probation, the Board may approve the awarding of such degree.
The Board may postpone approval of a degree for any student who has been charged with a felony in any jurisdiction when such charge is pending at the time the degree is to be awarded.
Non-Discrimination Policy/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other applicable non-discrimination laws, Washington and Lee University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran’s status, or genetic information in its educational programs and activities, admissions, and with regard to employment. Inquiries may be directed to Lauren E. Kozak, Title IX Coordinator, Elrod University Commons 237, (540) 458-4055, kozakl@wlu.edu, who is designated by the university to coordinate compliance efforts and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX, as well as those under Section 504 and other applicable non-discrimination laws.
The Coordinator has designated the following Title IX Assistant Coordinators:
- Employment - Jodi Williams, Executive Director of Human Resources, Two South Main 109, (540) 458-8318, jwilliams@wlu.edu; and
- Gender Equity in Athletics - Lauren E. Kozak, Title IX Coordinator and Director of Disability Resources, Elrod University Commons 237, (540) 458-4055, kozakl@wlu.edu.
Inquiries may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.
Student Grievance Policy:
Students who wish to bring a grievance or concern pertaining to university policies, procedures, or operations are encouraged to address their concern to the appropriate department head or official who oversees that area of university operations. Law students with disabilities who need assistance in addressing a grievance or concern should contact the Associate Dean for Law Student Affairs.
If a student has any doubt as to whom to direct a concern, please refer to section VI of the student handbook for contact information.
The Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA), is the approving authority of education and training programs for Virginia. Our office investigates complaints of GI Bill beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact our office via email saa@dvs.virginia.gov
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