University of Michigan College of Engineering - Honor Code

Honor Code

College of Engineering students are required to understand and adhere to an Honor Code governing the completion of classwork and examinations, as well as conduct when using CAEN computers. If a student observes a violation of the Honor Code, he or she is required by the Honor Code to report it.

During examinations, the College of Engineering differs from other University of Michigan academic units in that the instructor is typically not present in the room (i.e., the exam is not proctored). The instructor will tell the students where he or she will be during the examination, such as in his or her office or sitting in the hallway, in case there are questions. Students are guaranteed at least one empty seat between him or her and the next closest person. Minimal conversation is allowed, given that it does not concern the content of the examination. Students can also leave and re-enter the room without permission.

The following Honor Pledge, or a variation of it, must be written and signed on an exam (or occasionally other assignments) before it will be graded: "I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this (exam/assignment/etc.), nor have I concealed any violations of the Honor Code."

All assignments, whether submitted in writing or electronically, for a lecture or laboratory class, must be the product of the student's own work, unless collaboration is specifically allowed by the instructor. If collaboration is allowed, the instructor will specify the degree to which it is allowed. In addition, all sources of ideas as well as direct quotations must be cited.

Tampering with CAEN computers or attempting to illegally copy licensed software from them is also considered a violation of the Honor Code.

If suspected of an Honor Code violation, an Honor Council member will be assigned to the incident and attempt to gather information on the incident. The student(s) involved will then be required to appear before the students in the Honor Council. The Council gives its decision to the Faculty Committee on Discipline, who makes the final determination of punishment, if any, for the student(s). If desired, the student(s) can waive the Honor Council hearing and go directly to the Committee. The student(s) then receive the decision by mail.

Honor Council records are confidential and not placed in the student's regular file.