The purpose of the Honor Code, as stated in the Honor System Constitution is to “allow maximum freedom for students, undergraduate and graduate, in the completion of all academic work, and to ensure the integrity of that work.” The Honor Code protects the rights of students at Rice to complete their academic work to the best of their abilities, and to be rewarded for that work. These policies ensure that every student at Rice is held to the same high standard of integrity, and that every student’s original ideas are protected.

The pledge, requested at the top of many assignments, serves as a reminder that the work one submits is pledged under the Honor System, and that all students are expected to put forth only work that is reflective of their original ideas and personal knowledge.

1. Do not violate the Honor Code

   • The level of cooperation allowed on homework and other assignments can be ambiguous. It is the student’s responsibility to clarify any ambiguities with the professor.

   • Ignorance of course policies or the Honor Code is not accepted as an excuse for a violation.

   • Assignments that are termed “non-pledged” are still covered under the Honor Code, but may have more open rules than “pledged” assignments.

   • Requirements for citation style may vary between courses. Failure to cite the source(s) of ideas or quotations is plagiarism.

   • Multiple submissions (the submission of the same work for multiple classes) are specifically defined in the Blue Book as an Honor Code violation unless the student secures prior permission from the instructors of each course.

   • Use of old course work, including but not limited to case analysis, assignments, models, papers, and exams, is an Honor Code violation unless it is expressly allowed by the instructor.

   • Using case solutions or accessing case teaching notes is prohibited.

   • Using materials posted to “cheater” websites is prohibited.

2. Do not aid in a violation

• Do not give answers on exams or other pledged assignments to other students who have not completed these assignments.

• Ask students with whom you share your old coursework about the Honor Code policy for their class as it pertains to the use of old coursework. Be sure that the use of your old coursework is not a violation.

• Do not discuss pledged assignments before the due date. Although you may have already completed the assignment, you do not want to inadvertently share information with someone who has not.

• Make sure you leave your exams and other assignments in secure locations and in sealed envelopes when requested.

• Aiding another person’s violation is a violation of the Honor Code. Allowing someone to copy your work may be treated similarly to copying someone else’s work.

• Sharing or using old assignments or exams is prohibited unless expressly allowed by the professor.

• Posting materials to “cheater” websites is prohibited.

3. Report any suspected violations to the Honor Council

• Not only have you agreed to follow the Code by coming to Rice, but you must also help to maintain and enforce it. Violations unfairly disadvantage the other students in a class and hurt the integrity of all Rice degrees.

• Report all suspected violations directly to the Honor Council. This ensures that the matter is handled fairly and that all accusations are handled consistently.

• Submit any evidence that you have collected to support your accusation to the Honor Council.

• Do not report violations to the professor of the course. He or she could become unfairly biased against a student whether or not they are found In Violation by the Council.

• The accuser’s identity is not revealed unless the matter proceeds past investigation to a hearing. The accuser’s identity is revealed at the hearing.

• The identity of the accused student(s) will never be revealed to the student body, regardless of the case’s verdict.

• If you think you have personally violated the Code, report yourself. This does happen, and it is looked on very favorably by the Council and usually results in a highly reduced penalty.

For more information regarding the Honor Code, please reference: honor.rice.edu.

 “On my Honor, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this [exam/paper/etc.]”

Jones Graduate School of Business students are bound to, and must abide by, the Rice University Student Code of Conduct. As an academic community, it is necessary for Rice University to articulate and enforce standards of behavior. Such standards are not intended merely to prohibit misbehavior and to punish violations of regulations but to educate about behavior and character traits that the community wishes to promote or discourage; to protect members of the community from harm or unwarranted interference; to hold individuals and groups responsible for their actions and the consequences of their behavior; and to cultivate an environment conducive to our community’s primary purpose — education.

This Code is not a substitute for criminal or civil judicial proceedings and it is not intended to restrict or discourage any complainant or potential complainant from using criminal or civil justice systems. Disciplinary action under this Code does not preclude sanctions or remedies under criminal or civil laws. Rice University and individual complainants or victims may, wholly apart from this Code, refer suspected criminal law violations to the criminal justice system, pursue available remedies through civil court proceedings, and avail themselves of other forms of dispute resolution.

The information contained in this Code is intended to aid efforts to ascertain the facts of a disciplinary matter or allegation and to reach a just decision. The Code is not intended to, and  does not, confer any contractual rights on any individuals involved. Circumstances can differ greatly between matters, and the Rice University Student Judicial Programs may modify the procedures in a particular matter in order to reach a timely and just decision.

For more information regarding the University Code of Conduct, please reference: https://sjp.rice.edu/code-of-student-conduct 

Students who wish to withdraw from the MBA@Rice program, and ultimately Rice University, should schedule a meeting with their SSA.  Their SSA will talk through options and make the student aware of information specific to their case.  If a withdrawal is the final solution drawn from the conversation, the student will fill out a Withdrawal Form and submit within two days of their meeting.  The withdrawal is processed as of the date the form is submitted, which will affect tuition refund eligibility.