The student-run honor system is supposed to be a way for faculty to report violations of academic dishonesty. However, because the system can take too long, some faculty members choose to handle violations on their own. The committee on student conduct, student government and faculty should implement the “XF” policy, giving more freedom to professors.
The proposed policy recommendation would give a failing grade to students found guilty of academic dishonesty, which would appear as “XF” on the student’s transcript.
The “XF” policy would allow the honor system to continue doing what it does, while also enabling professors to handle cases on their own. It would also give professors guidelines for how to punish academic dishonesty. Now, professors who do not report violations generally come up with their own punishments.
A new system would help faculty regain trust in the honor system. Some faculty members feel the need to take action against violations because they do not believe that the honor system is reliable. The burden of proof that UNC operates under can sometimes make it difficult for professors to punish students fairly.
In the new system, when students receive a “XF” they also receive a semester of academic probation. In the current system, there would have to be extenuating circumstances for the Honor Court to give anything less than suspension.
Professors who like the format of the honor system and find it fair would still have the option to use it.
The proposed system would allow the student-led honor system to meet faculty more in the middle.
