Emory University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Emory publishes an explicit 'standard sanction' for first violations, F in the course, 1-year Honor Code probation, and mandatory educational program, setting clear expectations for outcomes

The Appeal Panel has power to increase as well as decrease sanctions on review, a meaningful consideration before appealing (sanctions can get worse)

Signing an informal resolution agreement trades off finality for finding but preserves the ability to appeal sanctions, a distinctive partial-waiver structure

An administrative three-person panel is available for urgent cases when the full Honor Council is not in session, a procedural flexibility option

Emory College, Oxford College, and Goizueta Business School share a single Undergraduate Academic Honor Code, creating uniformity across the undergraduate experience

The Honor Code is governed by Article-numbered sections (Article 7 for appeals), reflecting formal codification

Dean discretion is a structural feature, cases may be routed to informal resolution, formal hearing, or three-person administrative panels depending on case specifics

Emory School of Law

Emory Law School Honor Code

Law students are subject to a separate Honor Code administered within the School of Law.

Emory School of Medicine

Emory School of Medicine Student Promotions Committee

Medical students face academic progression and professionalism review through the School of Medicine.

Emory Laney Graduate School

Laney Graduate School academic integrity procedures

Graduate students face integrity review through Laney.

Emory Rollins School of Public Health

Rollins School of Public Health academic honor code

Public health students face additional professional standards review.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Emory?

Emory College Honor Council (and Oxford College / Goizueta Business School Honor Councils) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Emory. The Emory College Honor Council is composed of student and faculty members. Informal resolution meetings include one student Honor Council member and one faculty Honor Council member (or an Honor Code administrator). For urgent cases when the full Honor Council is not in session, the Dean has discretion to offer an administrative hearing before a special three-person panel. Formal hearings are conducted by the full Honor Council. Covers undergraduate students in Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Oxford College, and Goizueta Business School under a shared Undergraduate Academic Honor Code. Graduate and professional programs maintain their own separate honor systems.

What is the evidence standard at Emory?

Emory applies Preponderance of the evidence (Emory's standard for Honor Code findings) under Emory Undergraduate Academic Honor Code (Emory College, Oxford College, Goizueta Business School). Emory College Honor Council (and Oxford College / Goizueta Business School Honor Councils) uses this standard when determining whether a student is responsible for an alleged violation. The evidence standard is critical because it determines how strong the evidence must be before a finding of responsibility can be made.

What rights do I have during a Emory conduct proceeding?

Under Emory Undergraduate Academic Honor Code (Emory College, Oxford College, Goizueta Business School), students facing a Emory College Honor Council (and Oxford College / Goizueta Business School Honor Councils) proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to written notice of the alleged Honor Code violation; choose between informal resolution (acknowledge responsibility, limited appeal) and a full investigation and hearing (full appeal rights); an advisor during proceedings; present evidence and respond to allegations at the hearing. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Emory?

After being notified of an alleged violation, a student may choose to accept responsibility and proceed to an informal resolution meeting. Alternatively, the student may request a full investigation and hearing before the Honor Council. The Dean has discretion to offer an administrative hearing before a three-person panel for cases involving unusual urgency or when the Honor Council is not in session.

What sanctions can Emory impose for academic misconduct?

Emory College Honor Council (and Oxford College / Goizueta Business School Honor Councils) can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including standard first-violation sanction: f in the course, f on the assignment, 1-year honor code probation, and more serious outcomes including suspension and expulsion. The specific sanction depends on the facts, the student's prior record, and any mitigating factors presented during the proceeding. Sanction-phase advocacy is often as important as the responsibility phase, since even a first finding can carry long-term consequences on transcripts and graduate school applications.

Can I appeal a decision at Emory?

Yes. Appeals are reviewed by an Appeal Panel under Article 7 of the Emory College Honor Code. The Appeal Panel may deny the appeal, submit the case to another full hearing, or adjust the sanction by either decreasing or increasing its severity. Students who signed an informal resolution agreement may only appeal the sanction, not the finding of responsibility. Appeal grounds typically include procedural error that affected the outcome, new information not reasonably available at the time of the hearing, sanction disproportionate to the violation found. The specific appeal deadline is set out in the outcome letter, and it is usually short, often 5 to 10 business days from the date of the decision.

Can I bring an advisor to my Emory hearing?

Yes. Under Emory Undergraduate Academic Honor Code (Emory College, Oxford College, Goizueta Business School), students have the right to an advisor during proceedings. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Emory's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Emory the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Emory Emory College Honor Council (and Oxford College / Goizueta Business School Honor Councils) proceeding?

In most cases, no. Emory's proceedings follow university policy under Emory Undergraduate Academic Honor Code (Emory College, Oxford College, Goizueta Business School), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Emory's specific procedures, the evidence standard, and how sanctions are assessed. An education advocate typically provides stronger, more targeted guidance than a general-practice attorney because the body of law here is university policy, not criminal or civil procedure. AdvocatED brings deep, specialized expertise in these exact processes at a fraction of a law firm's cost.

How does Emory handle Title IX cases?

Emory handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Emory University Office of Title IX Coordinator / Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance. Sex-based misconduct and Title IX complaints are handled through Emory's Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance offices under separate policies, not through the Honor Council. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Emory, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.

Does Emory's School of Law have a separate conduct process?

Yes. Emory School of Law at Emory is handled through Emory Law School Honor Code, which is distinct from the general university conduct process. Law students are subject to a separate Honor Code administered within the School of Law. This matters because professional school findings carry licensure implications, and the remediation and appeal pathways are different from the undergraduate process.

What are the most common academic misconduct violations at Emory?

At Emory, the most frequently cited violations include: plagiarism on written work; cheating on exams or quizzes; unauthorized collaboration on individual assignments; fabrication of data, sources, or research results. Knowing which violation is alleged is the foundation of an effective defense, because the response strategy differs substantially based on whether the case involves plagiarism, AI use, exam cheating, collaboration, or a procedural technicality.

What are the key deadlines in a Emory conduct case?

At Emory, the most consequential deadlines are: Appeal deadlines are set under Article 7 of the Emory College Honor Code and in the outcome letter. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Emory College Honor Council (and Oxford College / Goizueta Business School Honor Councils), document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.