Frequently Asked Questions

The AUC Honor Code lays out the basic principles of the type of community that AUC strives to be, and the ways that each individual member of the community contributes to building this type of community. It lays out the expectations, and the commitment that each member of the community makes, to ensure that AUC is a place where values are built into the life of the community. 

The honor pledge is a brief, four-line pledge that all members of the AUC community should take to confirm their commitment to uphold the values of the honor code, behave respectfully towards others, be familiar with related AUC policies, and take responsibility for their behavior. 

During 2022 and 2023 , some offices and committees worked together to establish the Honor Code. The Student Affairs Committee of the senate (including student members), the Dean of Students and Office of the Provost conducted research, focus groups and meetings with campus-wide constituents, to discuss, shape and develop the Honor Code. 

The four AUC policies: Code of Academic Ethics, Code of Student Conduct, Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy and the University Code of Ethical Conduct address the types of behavior, both academic and social, that is acceptable at AUC. The Honor Code does not replace any of these, it rather serves as an umbrella statement that covers them all. As stated in the Honor Code, the code “reinforces the existing policies, and does not replace them or impact their adjudication.” Unlike the individual policies which set out very detailed behavioral expectations, the Honor Code is a broader statement that reflects the types of attitudes and behaviors encouraged by all members of the AUC community.

Any behavior that violates the Code of Academic Ethics, Code of Student Conduct, Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy or the University Code of Ethical Conduct constitutes a behavior that falls short of the expectations of AUC’s Honor Code. This is why the code includes the expectation that community members read, understand and adhere to all such policies. Examples may include plagiarism, cheating on exams, bullying, causing harm to another person or property. 

All members of the AUC community are expected to adhere to the Honor Code. For questions on possible violations, AUC students can contact the Dean of Students, AUC faculty can contact the Office of the Provost, and AUC staff can contact the Office of Human Resources. Since a violation of the Honor Code is a violation of one of the existing policies (Code of Academic Ethics, Code of Student Conduct, Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy or the University Code of Ethical Conduct), members of the AUC community can contact the relevant offices who oversee these policies. 

These is no honor council at AUC.  There are bodies responsible for overseeing each of the policies (Code of Academic Ethics, Code of Student Conduct, Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy or the University Code of Ethical Conduct).

Sanctions are determined in each specific policy that is being violated. Each of the four polices (Code of Academic Ethics, Code of Student Conduct, Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy or the University Code of Ethical Conduct) has clearly defined sanctions.

Starting Fall 2023, all AUC faculty, students and staff will be required to sign the pledge, and in some cases to take an oral pledge.

As per the reporting mechanisms for the four policies covered by the honor code (Code of Academic Ethics, Code of Student Conduct, Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy or the University Code of Ethical Conduct) there are options for anonymous reporting. 

There is an appeal process in place for anyone who is found to be in violation of one of the policies covered by the Honor Code (Code of Academic Ethics, Code of Student Conduct, Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy or the University Code of Ethical Conduct).

The Honor Code is an umbrella statement which covers a number of AUC policies (Code of Academic Ethics, Code of Student Conduct, Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy or the University Code of Ethical Conduct). All alumni and visitors are expected to adhere to all AUC policies. If found to be in violation of an AUC policy, sanctions may be applied based on the details of the violation, and may include being banned from entering AUC campuses.