Chapter 11:
Honor Code

We, Wake Forest University School of Law (hereinafter "School of Law") students and faculty (hereinafter “students” and “faculty,” respectively), adopt this Honor Code (hereinafter “Code”) as a statement of the minimum standards expected of students in their academic endeavors. In this Code, the faculty recognizes that students share with faculty and administration the responsibility and duty of promoting a climate of academic integrity in all academic endeavors. By sharing this commitment, we best promote the purpose of the Code.

The School of Law is a community of scholars and learners, committed to the principles of honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, and respect for others. This commitment is particularly important given the mission of the School of Law to prepare its students for the duties of honesty and integrity that they will undertake as professionals. Students share with faculty and administration the responsibility of promoting a climate of academic integrity by practicing honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, and respect for others throughout their time as students and by upholding the standard of the Code.

The Code applies to academic dishonesty of all students enrolled at the School of Law for all conduct specified and prohibited by Article III.

The School of Law will post the Code on its website in the Student Handbook. The orientation program for new students will inform these students of their obligations under the Code and require these students to sign a statement promising their commitment to upholding the principles of the Code. It is the responsibility of all students to read and familiarize themselves with the Code. Students are also independently bound by the Student Code of Conduct, which is outlined in Chapter 12 of the Student Handbook and administered by the faculty.

All students should be aware that a record of academic dishonesty can be an extremely serious obstacle to a student’s gaining admission to the practice of law. A record of academic dishonesty also may hinder employment and clerkship opportunities.

a. Academic dishonesty: any conduct specified and prohibited by Art. III.

b. Academic endeavor:

• • any work constituting a basis upon which a student will be evaluated to earn credit during the student’s time at the School of Law,
  • any work performed in any School of Law sponsored academic activity in which the student competes against fellow students regardless of whether the student is seeking credit for such academic activity (such as a transactional, moot court, trial team, or journal competitions),
  • any work performed in any academic activity in which the student participates on behalf of the School of Law regardless of whether the student is seeking credit for such academic activity, and
  • any work performed to influence an academic record.

  Academic endeavors include, but are not limited to, in-class examinations; take home examinations; research papers (including topic proposals, outlines, and drafts); other writing assignments; oral presentations; class participation; externships; internships; practicums; work done in clinical programs, law journals, moot court, transactional competitions, and trial bar; and actions influencing the items listed in the definition of academic record.

  c. Academic record: includes, but is not limited to, registration and add/drop forms, transcripts, materials submitted in connection with school-sponsored job interviews and school-sponsored competitions, attendance sheets, and correspondence or communication with the School of Law or University (hereinafter “University”) regarding academic matters.

  d. Academic day: any day in which classes are regularly scheduled, with the exception of summer school classes.

  e. Attempt: attempted violations may be sanctioned in the same manner as completed violations; a student need not complete the intended act to be held accountable.

  f. Intentional: conduct that a student wants to perform, with a conscious object to cause a particular result prohibited by the Code. A student’s intent or lack thereof may be inferred from the circumstances.

  g. Knowing: conduct performed when the student acts with subjective awareness that to a substantial degree of certainty the conduct would cause a particular result prohibited by the Code. A student’s knowledge or lack thereof may be inferred from the circumstances. A conscious effort to avoid knowledge about the attendant circumstances or results of conduct that is prohibited by the Code may qualify as knowing conduct.

  h. Reckless: conduct that reflects a conscious disregard for a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the conduct could cause a particular result prohibited by the Code. A student’s recklessness or lack thereof may be inferred from the circumstances.

  i. Negligent: conduct that a student performs despite circumstances that should lead a reasonable student to recognize a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the conduct could cause a particular result prohibited by the Code. A student’s negligence or lack thereof may be inferred from the circumstances.

  j. Respondent: a student or students accused of a Code violation.