VCOM College Catalog and Student Handbook

E. Classification Alteration : the possible but not mandatory alteration of the classification of an offense. 1. Premeditation: Planning to do an act before the act is carried out. Premeditation assumes persistence in carrying out a plan decided upon before the act began. The ability to correct a spontaneous violation but a failure to do so does not indicate premeditation because premeditation requires intent before the act. 2. Recruiting: Convincing another student to violate the VCOM Honor Code when it is reasonable that the other student would not have violated the VCOM Honor Code if not convinced. 3. Unauthorized Entry: Entering into the possessions of a member of the faculty, staff or student body without permission. Possessions may include but are not limited to notebooks, computers, filing cabinets, offices, vehicles, and homes. It is not necessary to prove permission was required, only that it was reasonable to assume permission should have been obtained. 4. Endangering or Threatening: Endangering or threatening harm either physically or professionally. F. Abstain : To refrain from voting. To abstain does not count as a vote. In the context of a vote by simple majority, the member abstaining is not counted as a voting member. G. Arbitrary or Capricious : That which is impulsive, unpredictable, unaccountable, illogical, or without reason. H. Date of Discovery or Suspicion : The first date on which a violation of the VCOM Honor Code was suspected or discovered. I. Date of Violation: The date on which the violation of the VCOM Honor Code was committed. J. Majority : Greater than one half. Less than or equal to one half is not a majority. A tie vote does not have a majority either way and requires a final “tiebreaker” vote to determine a majority. K. Preponderance : Superiority in numbers or having greater weight; greater than 50%. L. Recuse : To disqualify oneself from proceedings to avoid any perceived bias. M. Retaliate : To take revenge for a perceived wrong. Retaliation is considered unethical behavior and constitutes a separate violation of the VCOM Honor Code. N. Unanimous : In complete agreement; all members vote the same. To dissent or abstain indicates a disputed (not unanimous) opinion. Specific practices and policies relating to suspected violations and associated sanctions may be found in the Constitution of the Honor Code Council or by contacting honor@vcom.edu. To report a suspected violation, obtain the procedures if accused of a violation, or identify the members of the Honor Code Council, contact honor@vcom.edu. Professional and Ethical Standards Board (PESB) The Professional and Ethical Standards Board (PESB) shall be convened if the Honor Code Council either determines a Category II or Category III violation of the Honor Code has occurred, or if the Campus Dean or Provost recommends suspension or expulsion. A PESB may also be convened if the Campus Dean or Provost determines a suspected violation warrants a direct referral to the PESB, instead of the Honor Code Council. Upon the initiative of the Campus Dean or at the request of any member of the faculty or administration, the Campus Dean will designate a representative from administration to act on his/her behalf to conduct an investigation. If reasonable probability exists from that investigation that a violation has occurred, the Campus Dean may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student. If a member of the faculty or administration orally requests an initiation of disciplinary proceedings, the oral request must be confirmed in writing within 72 hours. In determining whether disciplinary action is warranted, the Campus Dean and his/her representative from administration may conduct an informal investigation of the matter, which may include, but is not limited to, interviewing the affected student(s). If the Campus Dean determines that disciplinary action is warranted, the PESB shall be convened.

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