For Students
Many questions will undoubtedly arise as a student goes through the Honor and Ethics Council process. Below are answers to the most commonly asked.
The Student Statement (SS) is a required comprehensive form, submitted confidentially and securely online for inclusion in the case file, that is the accused student’s part of the HEC Hearing process.
In essence, the Student Statement is the direct counter report to the professor’s Comprehensive Reporting Form, and it gives the accused student the opportunity to give their perspective, context, and evidence (if applicable) to the alleged incident. It is through this form that the HEC Panelists will come to understand the case through the accused student’s eyes and offers their explanations and/or rebuttals to the Professor’s Comprehensive Report.
As the Student Statement is the accused student’s direct experience, it must be in their own words, and the production and completion thereof (persuading, coaching, writing, reading, editing, submitting, etc.) may not be assisted in any way by any other party.
The student has 7 days from the date of the Maxient notification letter to submit their statement (direct link provided in the letter) and any supporting documentation they wish to provide. When submitted, the hearing will be scheduled and Support staff will be copied on all communications to the accused student.
While the length of a statement itself is not specified, it is strongly suggested the student complete the form to the best of their ability as it gives the HEC Panel the ability to review all documents before the hearing, and gives the accused student the opportunity to give their perspective and context to the alleged incident.
Regardless of length, the statement must be submitted as there are specific instructions and acknowledgements that the accused student must affirm.
The student may provide any documents, photos, videos, screenshots, or other information regarding the incident in question.
Documents must be submitted through Maxient, much like the Student Statement, at least 48 hours (2 business days) in advance of a confirmed hearing. Please contact Sarah Frederick () for the link.
If new material is available after the Student Statement form is submitted, there is a Supplemental Information form that may be submitted anytime up to 2 business days before the scheduled hearing.
*Please note that medical information should not be submitted except in cases where it is materially relevant and with express permission.
Hearing length varies depending on circumstances. However, single hearings are typically about an hour and a half, but can be more or less depending on the number of participants, etc.
During a hearing, an accused student will be asked to provide an opening and closing statement. These are different than the Student Statement in both scope and purpose. They are not simply reading from a submitted Student Statement – the Panel will have already read that in advance of the hearing itself. Instead, this is an opportunity for the accused student to present a quick and personal summary of their position.
Opening statement – the accused student may briefly introduce themselves, offer background or context to the situation, glimpses into their thought process or emotional state, or any other detail they may believe is important and relevant for the HEC Panel to know before starting.
Closing statement – a brief summation is best and may include (but of course is not limited to) specific explanations regarding things that were brought up during the hearing, along with any thoughts they would like to leave the HEC Panel with.
The opening and closing statements should be no longer than 5 minutes each.
There are two outcomes to an HEC hearing – Responsible and Not Responsible.
Not Responsible – A letter will be sent from Maxient that details the Outcome and lets the student know that there is no sanction imposed and the Reporting Instructor has been directed to report the Student’s earned grade to the Office of the University Registrar.
Responsible – A letter will be sent from Maxient that details the Outcome, Sanction, and instructions for appeal.
In the case of a Responsible Outcome, please see the Violations and Sanctions webpage.
There is no notation on a Student’s transcript that details an Honor Code Violation.
As grades are reported by semester, Irreplaceable and Replaceable F’s will be shown on the transcripts for the semester that course was taken. If a Student decides to retake a course and receives a grade, that grade will be reported in the semester in which it is taken.
There is no notation on a Student’s transcript that details an Honor Code Violation.
Outside parties, such as employers or third-party background check agencies, may request conduct information. Wake will only disclose this information with written authorization from the Student or their legal representative. Conduct – Records Page