Welcome from the Chair

Welcome to the University of Virginia's Honor Committee homepage! This web site has been developed to introduce you to the University's Honor System and answer any questions you may have about it.

The Honor System is one of the prime examples of student self-governance at the University. Founded in 1842, the Honor System has flourished for more than 150 years as an entirely student-run system. Students do their part to support the system in a variety of ways, from serving as elected committee members, to reporting transgressions of it by their peers, to simply behaving with the integrity that is expected of a Virginia student.

As a University community we ask each other to hold ourselves to an especially high standard and the system ensures that students are provided with both tangible and intangible benefits not found at most universities. Put simply, Virginia students are taken at their word in the classroom and in the community, and presumed honorable unless proven otherwise. This assumption of integrity allows students to write checks in Charlottesville using only their UVA student ID, take unproctored exams at home, on the Lawn, or wherever else they desire, and learn and live in a community where trust thrives.

Please take a few moments to browse through this site. Here you can find a detailed history of the Honor System and an explanation of the fundamental elements of the Community of Trust. This website can help answer questions about what to do if you suspect an Honor offense, as well as any questions you may have about the procedures that guide the Committee's operations. Furthermore, in order to keep the public up to date on the Committee's business we post meeting minutes, policy statements, and a schedule of events.

Our meetings are open to the public and held on Sunday evenings at 8pm on the fourth floor of Newcomb Hall unless otherwise noted. Each meeting has time dedicated to hearing community concerns and I encourage you to attend and participate.

We hope you find this information useful and accessible. If you have any questions, please feel welcome to contact the Committee through our web site, give us a call at (434) 924-7602, or visit the Honor Committee offices in person on the fourth floor of Newcomb Hall.

Sincerely yours,

Stephen Nash
Chair, 2012-2013