Morehouse College Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Morehouse is a historically Black college and university (HBCU) and the only all-male HBCU in the United States, giving the campus culture and conduct environment a distinctive character.

The Student Government Association's judicial branch, the Honor and Conduct Review Board (Student Court), is composed entirely of student justices, giving students a central peer-adjudication role.

All enrolled students are automatically members of the SGA, making every student a constituent of the body whose judicial branch adjudicates conduct cases.

Sexual and interpersonal misconduct is governed by a separate, standalone policy (the Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy, dated February 21, 2022), administered by the Office of Title IX, Ethics, and Compliance Programs.

A 24-hour Ethics and Compliance Hotline (888-299-9540 / morehouse.ethicspoint.com) provides an anonymous reporting channel.

Morehouse participates in the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC); cross-registered students are subject to both their home institution's and the host institution's regulations, and Morehouse may take action for violations that occur at AUCC member institutions.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Morehouse?

Office of Student Services (OSS) / Honor and Conduct Review Board (Student Court) (OSS / HCRB) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Morehouse. The OSS has overall administrative responsibility for student conduct. The judicial branch of the Student Government Association, called the Honor and Conduct Review Board (Student Court), is composed of five student justices: one Chief Justice and one justice per class year. The Chief Justice also serves as a Vice President of the SGA Executive Board. All enrolled Morehouse students for violations of the Student Code of Conduct, including academic integrity violations and general behavioral misconduct. The OSS and Student Court hear and adjudicate cases of alleged conduct violations.

What is the evidence standard at Morehouse?

Morehouse applies preponderance of the evidence (a recommendation by the student conduct hearing panel is based on a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not that the violation occurred) under Morehouse College Student Code of Conduct (published within the Student Handbook) (UNVERIFIED: needs human research). Office of Student Services (OSS) / Honor and Conduct Review Board (Student Court) 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 Morehouse conduct proceeding?

Under Morehouse College Student Code of Conduct (published within the Student Handbook), students facing a Office of Student Services (OSS) / Honor and Conduct Review Board (Student Court) proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to be informed of rights, responsibilities, and privileges under the Student Handbook (published annually); written notice of alleged violations before a hearing (specific notice deadline UNVERIFIED: needs human research); present one's own case before the Honor and Conduct Review Board; have a person of support present at athletic-scholarship appeal hearings (support person may not participate); applicability to general conduct hearings UNVERIFIED: needs human research. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Morehouse?

Complaints or reports of misconduct may be submitted to the Office of Student Services. For sexual and interpersonal misconduct, reports may be made directly to the Title IX Coordinator (keith.cobbs@morehouse.edu, 470-639-0584), to Campus Police (404-215-2666), or via the 24-hour Ethics and Compliance Hotline (888-299-9540 / morehouse.ethicspoint.com). Faculty members who observe academic dishonesty are expected to report the matter consistent with the College's academic honesty policy. Mandatory reporters (supervisors, faculty, coaches, Resident Advisors, SGA officers, and other employees with authority) are required to share reports of prohibited conduct with the Title IX Coordinator.

What sanctions can Morehouse impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Student Services (OSS) / Honor and Conduct Review Board (Student Court) can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including warning, probation, suspension, 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.

How do I appeal a decision at Morehouse, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Morehouse is Grade appeals: within one semester following the term in which the disputed grade was reported. Title IX dismissal appeals: within two (2) business days of receiving notice of dismissal. General conduct appeal deadline: UNVERIFIED: needs human research.. A student may file a written appeal of an HCRB or CJC conduct decision with the College Appellate Committee (CAC) within four business days of being notified of the recommendation; recommendations for suspension or expulsion are automatically referred to the CAC. Appeals are limited to questions of improper procedure, excessive sanction, or new information that was unavailable at the time of the formal review, and the CAC may deny the appeal, reduce the sanction, or remand for a new hearing by majority vote, which is the final judgment of the College. Appeal grounds typically include grade appeal: grade assigned in an arbitrary or unjust manner, or crucial evidence not considered (academic grade disputes), title ix dismissal appeal: grounds limited to those specified in the sexual and interpersonal misconduct policy (specific enumerated grounds unverified: needs human research beyond the two-business-day filing requirement), general conduct appeal grounds: unverified: needs human research. Appeals that succeed are usually the ones that ground each argument in the record and the specific policy language, not emotional or general objections.

Can I bring an advisor to my Morehouse hearing?

Yes. Under Morehouse College Student Code of Conduct (published within the Student Handbook), students have the right to have a person of support present at athletic-scholarship appeal hearings (support person may not participate); applicability to general conduct hearings unverified: needs human research. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Morehouse's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Morehouse the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Morehouse Office of Student Services (OSS) / Honor and Conduct Review Board (Student Court) proceeding?

In most cases, no. Morehouse's proceedings follow university policy under Morehouse College Student Code of Conduct (published within the Student Handbook), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Morehouse'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 Morehouse handle Title IX cases?

Morehouse handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Title IX, Ethics, and Compliance Programs. The Title IX Coordinator is Keith Cobbs, Associate Vice President for Administrative Services and Title IX Coordinator, located in Gloster Hall, Suite 105, 830 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30310; phone 470-639-0584; email keith.cobbs@morehouse.edu. The office handles Title IX sexual harassment under federal law as well as non-Title IX sexual and interpersonal misconduct under a separate policy track. Confidential resources include the Student Counseling and Accessibility Center (470-639-0231) and the James B. Ellison Sr. Student Health Center (404-215-2637), neither of which is required to report without the complainant's consent. Mandatory reporters include all supervisory employees, faculty, coaches, Resident Advisors, and SGA officers. External complaints may be filed with the Atlanta Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 61 Forsyth St., Atlanta, GA. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Morehouse, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.

What are the most common academic misconduct violations at Morehouse?

At Morehouse, the most frequently cited violations include: plagiarism and misrepresentation of others' ideas or language as one's own; cheating on examinations and quizzes; submitting work completed for one course as original work for another course (self-plagiarism / double submission); unauthorized collaboration on independently assigned work. 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 Morehouse conduct case?

At Morehouse, the most consequential deadlines are: Grade appeal: must be filed within one semester following the term for which the disputed grade was reported; Title IX dismissal appeal: written appeal with supporting materials must be submitted within two (2) business days of receiving notice of dismissal; Class absence documentation: valid written documentation must be submitted within five calendar days of the absence. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Student Services (OSS) / Honor and Conduct Review Board (Student Court), document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.