D. Code of Ethics; Standards Panel

Purpose: Because the Honor Committee bears such a weighty responsibility, the Committee and its support officers must hold themselves to the most exacting standards of ethical conduct. Guidelines for such conduct are set forth in the Committee's Code of Ethics (the "Code of Ethics"), copies of which are available at the offices of the Honor Committee.

1. Standards Panel Composition. The Standards Panel shall consist of five Honor Committee members, including the Chair of the Honor Committee, who also shall serve as the Chair of the Standards Panel. The other four members of the Standards Panel shall be elected by the Honor Committee each year at the same time as Executive Committee elections are held. If any Standards Panel member is the subject of a Standards Panel referral, such member (including the Chair, if applicable), shall be removed for purposes of the Standards Panel in question and replaced by another Honor Committee member to be appointed by the Executive Committee.

2. Standards Panel Matters. For purposes of these By-laws, a "Standards Panel Matter" shall mean (a) any alleged violation of the Code of Ethics by an Honor Committee member or support officer in his or her official capacity, or (b) any alleged conduct by an Honor Committee member or support officer in his or her official capacity that, although not in violation of the Code of Ethics, nevertheless constitutes unethical, unprofessional, or improper conduct.

3. Referral of Standards Panel Matters to a Standards Panel. Allegations of a Standards Panel Matter should be made in writing and delivered to the Chair of the Honor Committee. The Chair of the Honor Committee may, in his or her discretion, refer such allegations to the Standards Panel. If such allegations are raised against the Chair of the Honor Committee, the Executive Committee, acting without the Chair, shall decide, by majority vote, whether or not to make a referral to the Standards Panel.

4. Proceedings of the Standards Panel. The Standards Panel shall convene to consider any Standards Panel Matters that may be referred to the Standards Panel. Standards Panel proceedings and decisions shall be handled in accordance with the Standards Panel Policies and Procedures, copies of which are available at the offices of the Honor Committee. In its reasonable discretion, the Standards Panel may (a) reprimand the Honor Committee member or support officer in question, (b) request the removal of such individual from his or her role with the Honor Committee, (c) in appropriate cases, report an Honor case against such individual, or (d) dismiss the allegations as lacking in foundation or seriousness.

5. Exclusive Jurisdiction Over Standards Panel Matters. The Standards Panel shall have exclusive jurisdiction over Standards Panel Matters, and sanction(s) imposed by the Standards Panel shall be the exclusive sanction(s) therefore. If the Honor Committee Chair (or his or her replacement, if applicable) declines to refer allegations of a Standards Panel Matter to the Standards Panel, such allegations shall be deemed to have been dismissed.

Purpose: Because the Honor Committee bears such a weighty responsibility, the Committee and its support officers must hold themselves to the most exacting standards of ethical conduct. As such, a standards panel shall convene whenever there are allegations of unethical or improper behavior on the part of any support officer or Committee member.

1. Each year the Honor Committee shall approve of a "Committee Code of Ethics". If support officers or Committee members violate the "Committee Code of Ethics" they may be brought before the Standards Panel. If the Committee Chair is requested to appear before the Standards Panel, the Committee shall appoint a Standards Panel chair by a majority vote.

2. The Standards Panel shall be composed of five Committee members, including the Honor Committee Chair, who shall also preside as chair of the standards panel.

3. All Standards Panel sanctions, including removal of a support officer and recommendation to recall a Committee member, require a four-fifths vote of the standards panel. (language added, November 6, 2005)