Maryland is among a small number of leading universities that empower students to set and enforce standards for academic integrity. Those standards are set forth in our Code of Academic Integrity, frequently cited as a national model for schools seeking to develop student-administered honor codes. The Honor Council is charged with educating the University community about the Code and resolving allegations of academic dishonesty.

The Maryland student community should be aware that there are penalties for academic dishonesty. Students found responsible are given the standard sanction, the 'XF' grade penalty, which is marked as "failure due to academic dishonesty" on transcripts. While the XF is on a student's transcript, he or she cannot represent the University in any function, including student organizations, campus governance, or intercollegiate athletics. The most serious violations may also result in suspension or expulsion.

Maryland's Code isn't geared to punishment alone, however. First time offenders who receive the XF grade are usually given the opportunity to remove it if they complete an academic integrity seminar. The University's educational aims are also fostered when faculty members express a commitment to academic integrity in their syllabi and talk with students about why academic integrity is important. This effort has never been more important, as our society struggles with critical issues of integrity in business and government.

A significant part of our educational programming is the Honor Pledge, a short statement all students are asked to write out and sign on tests and major assignments. Most students readily sign honor pledges as a statement of their commitment to academic integrity - similar to physicians taking the Hippocratic Oath. Public affirmations of duties and principles enhance personal commitments and can be a lasting source of pride. We encourage students and faculty members to use the Honor Pledge in their classes.

Please take advantage of this webpage's resources, including recent Honor Council statistics, sample case reports, and how to schedule a classroom presentation. We welcome your comments and questions about our academic integrity system. Additionally, those students and faculty interested in serving on the Honor Council should contact the council at HonorCouncil@umd.edu.

**Letter originally written by Andrew Canter, past Chair of the Student Honor Council