Office of Honor

Our Mission

Staff

Report a Concern

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the purpose of the Office of Honor?

The Office of Honor, a department of the Ho’okahua division, sustains and preserves, within the university community, individual and collective commitments to live and assist others to live in harmony with the ideals and behavioral provisions of the CES Honor Code. Responsibilities include:

Receiving and investigating reported student violations with a fair and transparent process.
Supporting students as they align their behavior with the Honor Code.
Maintaining publication of the Honor Code on the department website and the university website.
Cooperating with faculty to resolve issues of academic dishonesty,
Serving as a resource for the university regarding Honor Code issues.
Administering the annual continuing ecclesiastical endorsement process.
Support the administration, faculty, staff, ecclesiastical leaders and others as they fulfill their responsibilities in relation to the Honor Code.
Support the decisions of the Honor Council.

Do ecclesiastical leaders share private information with the Office of Honor?

Confidential communication shared between an ecclesiastical leader is privileged and confidential. Students may confide involvement in violations of the Honor Code with their ecclesiastical leaders without fear of a direct report to the Office of Honor.

I want to file a report but I don't want to reveal my identity. Does the Office of Honor act on anonymous report?

Anyone may refer a student to the Office of Honor for reported violation(s) of the Honor Code, whether the alleged conduct occurred on or off campus. The person submitting a report is asked to identify himself or herself and to provide information regarding the alleged violation that will assist the university in its investigation. Although the Office of Honor generally does not investigate reports given by anyone unwilling to identify himself or herself, the Office of Honor reserves the right, at its discretion, to proceed with an investigation based on an anonymous report.

I saw someone violate the Honor Code. Can I get in trouble for not reporting them to the Office of Honor?

No. However, the Honor Code states that we are to “encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code”. Each member of the BYU–Hawaii community has not only an individual obligation to sustain and preserve the Honor Code, but also a shared responsibility to help others fulfill their responsibilities under the Honor Code.

I am accused of violating the Honor Code and got reported to the Office of Honor. What happens next?

The Office of Honor will normally investigate a reported Honor Code violation if there is sufficient, reasonable, and credible information that an Honor Code violation has occurred. After a violation report is received, the Office of Honor will (i) analyze the violation report and relevant evidence; (ii) conduct an investigation and interview the student and any witnesses or other person having information about the student and/or the allegations as the Office of Honor deems appropriate; (iii) notify the student in writing of the alleged violation(s) of the Honor Code if it appears that an Honor Code violation has occurred; (iv) encourage the student to respond, preferably in writing, to the allegations and relevant evidence; (v) assess the credibility of the witnesses and strength of the evidence; and (vi) prepare a decision and recommended course of action.

Are there certain consequences for a certain violation of the Honor Code?

No. The nature and the extent of the violation will be considered in determining the appropriate action. Factors may include: a) prior violations, b) the seriousness of the behavior, c) the impact on other students, the university and community, d) honesty and attitude, e) support from others. Consequences may be selected from the following from the following: No Action, Verbal Warning, Written Warning, Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal.

I don't agree with the decision of the Office of Honor in my case. What can I do about it?

In the event a student admits to misconduct but objects to the severity, appropriateness, or fairness of the action, the student may request an administrative review of any decision resulting in a disciplinary action of probation, suspension, or dismissal. In all Review proceedings, the student has the burden to show: (i) the decision is not reasonably supported by the facts in the record, (ii) the Office of Honor failed to follow applicable procedures and that as a result of such failure the student was not given adequate notice of the nature of the alleged or suspected Honor Code violations or did not have a meaningful opportunity to respond, (iii) the disciplinary action imposed is inappropriate for the violation of the Honor Code, or (iv) the investigation or decision exhibited prejudice or bias that affected the outcome.

The reviewing administrator can affirm the decision reached in the investigatory report, overturn the decision, or remand the matter back to the Office of Honor for further investigation. Generally, the reviewing administrator will issue its decision within five days of receiving the request. The decision of the reviewing administrator is final and is not subject to further review.

Office of Honor

Our Mission

Arapata Meha

Elder & Sister Ellsworth

Leialoha Benson

Karl De Guzman

Deepika Arumugam

Elizabeth Seru

Earl Argana

Student Conduct and Academic Issues