Honor Code Policies and Procedures

Intentional plagiarism is the deliberate act of representing the words, ideas, or data of another as one’s own without providing proper attribution to the original author through quotation, reference, or footnote.

Inadvertent plagiarism involves the inappropriate, but non-deliberate, use of another’s words, ideas, or data without proper attribution. Although not a violation of the Honor Code, it is a form of academic misconduct for which an instructor can impose appropriate academic sanctions. Students who are in doubt as to whether they are providing proper attribution have the responsibility to consult with their instructor and obtain guidance.

Plagiarism may occur with respect to unpublished as well as published material. Examples include:

• Direct Plagiarism: the verbatim copying of an original source without acknowledging the source.
• Paraphrased Plagiarism: the paraphrasing of ideas from another without attribution, causing a reader to mistake these ideas for the writer’s own.
• Plagiarism Mosaic: the borrowing of words, ideas, or data from an original source and blending this original material with one’s own writing, without acknowledging the source.
• Insufficient Acknowledgment: the partial or incomplete attribution of words, ideas, or data from an original source.

Fabrication or falsification occurs when a student invents or distorts the origin or content of information used as authority. Examples include:

• Citing a source that does not exist.
• Citing information from a source that is not included in the source for which credit is given.
• Citing a source for a secondary proposition that it does not support.
• Citing a bibliography source when it was neither consulted nor cited in the body of the paper.
• Intentionally distorting the meaning or applicability of data.
• Inventing data or statistical results to support conclusions.

A student cheats when he or she attempts to give the appearance of a level of knowledge or skill that has not been obtained. Examples include:

• Copying from another person’s work during an examination or while completing an assignment.
• Allowing someone to copy work that is not his or her own during an examination or while completing an assignment.
• Using unauthorized materials during an examination or while completing an assignment.
• Collaborating on an examination or assignment without authorization.
• Taking an examination or completing an assignment for another, or permitting another to take an examination or to complete an assignment that is not his or her own.

Other academic misconduct includes other academically dishonest, deceitful, or inappropriate acts which are intentionally committed. Examples include:

• Inappropriately providing or receiving information or academic work so as to gain unfair advantage over others.
• Planning with another to commit any act of academic dishonesty.
• Attempting to gain an unfair academic advantage for oneself or another by bribery or by any act of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting anything of value to another for such purpose.
• Changing or altering grades or other official educational records.
• Obtaining or providing to another a test or answers to a test that has not been administered.
• Breaking and entering into a building or office for the purpose of obtaining unauthorized materials.
• Continuing work on an examination or assignment after the allocated time has elapsed.
• Submitting the same work for more than one class without disclosure and approval.
• Getting equal credit on group assignments when equal work was not done.
• Using, uploading, downloading, or purchasing online resources derived from material pertaining to an Ensign College course without the written permission of the professor (e.g., Quizlet, Course Hero, Chegg, etc.).

Instructors are responsible to establish and communicate to students their expectations of behavior with respect to academic honesty and conduct in the course. The instructor will be responsible to investigate any incident of academic dishonesty or misconduct, determine the circumstances, and take appropriate action. Examples of appropriate action include but are not limited to the following:

• Reprimanding the student verbally or in writing in a private setting.
• Requiring work affected by the academic dishonesty to be redone.
• Administering a lower or failing grade on the affected assignment, test, or course.
• Forfeiting their eligibility to drop or withdraw from a course even if the drop or withdraw deadlines have not passed.

Refer student to the Honor Code Office. The Honor Code Office will complete an independent investigation and take appropriate action. If the incident involves violation of a public law, e.g., breaking and entering into an office or stealing an examination, the act should be reported to College Security.

Students who know of or suspect another student has violated this policy should report their concern to their teacher or the Honor Code Office.

Both suspected and proven violations of the Academic Honesty Policy should be reported to the Honor Code Office, detailing the name, incident, and action taken. If the occurrence is sufficiently egregious, or if a pattern of dishonesty or misconduct is discovered, the Honor Code Office may take additional action, based upon the nature of the violation.

If a student disagrees with the determination or action and is unable to resolve the matter to the mutual satisfaction of the student and the instructor, he or she may have it reviewed through the college’s grievance process (See Student Academic Grievance Policy).

All students are required to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Honor Code. In addition, students may not influence or seek to influence others to engage in behavior inconsistent with the Honor Code.

Students must abstain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, and illegal substances and from the intentional misuse or abuse of any substance. Sexual misconduct; obscene or indecent conduct or expressions; disorderly or disruptive conduct; participation in gambling activities; involvement with pornographic, erotic, indecent, or offensive material; and any other conduct or action inconsistent with the principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Honor Code is not permitted.

Violations of the Honor Code may result in actions up to and including separation from the college.

Dress and grooming affects how students and those around them think, behave, and learn. Students show respect by their grooming; therefore, students should wear clean, modest clothing that brings honor to themselves and the College. Clothing should not include wording, symbols, artwork or other references that are vulgar, offensive, crude, immoral, or gang-related.

Women should be neat and modest in their attire. Dresses should have sleeves, full backs, reach at least to the knee (even with leggings), and have a high enough neckline so as not to reveal cleavage. Cutoffs, if worn, should reach at least the knee. Blouses should have sleeves, high enough necklines so as not to reveal cleavage, and be long enough to keep the midriff from exposure as the student sits, walks, and bends. Clothing that has holes or ragged tears is inappropriate.

Men should be neat and modest in their attire. Shirts must be worn and should have sleeves. Cutoffs, if worn, should reach at least the knee. Exposed underwear is unwelcomed and inappropriate. Clothing that has holes or ragged tears is inappropriate.

Hair Styles: Hair styles should reflect the standards espoused by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bizarre or unusual hair styles or coloring violate the dress and grooming standards. Dreadlocks, mohawks, faux hawks or other unusual hair styles are not allowed except in cases where such styles are strongly cultural. Such exceptions must be cleared with the Honor Code Office. Men are to have hair cut so as to be off the collar and off the ears and eyebrows.

Facial Hair: Faces should be clean-shaven with sideburns no lower than the bottom of the ear; muttonchops are not allowed. Mustaches are allowed but should not extend below the corners of the mouth. Soul patches and goatees are not allowed.

Piercings: Women who desire to have their ears pierced should wear only one pair of modest earrings. Men should not wear earrings. Other body piercings for men or women are inappropriate.

Tattoos: The body is holy and God’s creation and should not be disfigured; therefore, the Honor Code prohibits getting or displaying tattoos. Tattoos that portray satanic, violent, hateful, lewd themes may not be displayed under any circumstance. Students with previously acquired tattoos must cover them at all times.

Hats: Ensign College is a dedicated building. Out of respect for that status and as a courtesy to faculty and classmates, students are requested not to wear hats in classrooms. Hats with inappropriate language or symbols, or that imply gang membership, violate the College’s dress and grooming standards.

Ensign College provides a wholesome academic, cultural, social, and spiritual environment for students. Disruptive behavior is behavior that significantly interferes with the educational process, the educational environment (including housing); or the administrative functions of the College. The determination of whether conduct rises to the level of disruptive behavior is determined on an individual case-by-case basis with reference to the relevant facts and circumstances. Disruptive behavior may include, but is not limited to intimidating, threatening, harassing, or violent behavior; abuse of administrative processes; abuse of College or individual resources; disregard or non-compliance with established policies and procedures or medical advice; or the probable likelihood of engaging in conduct or actions that may endanger the health, safety or welfare of any individual. Disruptive behavior may also include physical acts, oral or written statements, gestures, or expressions that communicate direct or indirect threats of harm or disruption. Disruptive behaviors and actions are inconsistent with the values of Ensign College.
Electronic Devices: Electronic devices (iPods, cell phones, mp3 players, etc.) should be used in such a way as to not interfere with or disrupt the learning process or environment.

Honesty in speech and behavior is a fundamental principle upon which integrity is built. Students’ reputations depend on their ability to speak and act truthfully, and without guile.

Academic Honesty: Students do their own work and stand on the merits of their own efforts. Crib notes, copying others’ work, plagiarism (defined as portraying another’s words as one’s own), or cheating in any way constitute a breach of the Honor Code. Faculty members impose penalties that affect grades for academic dishonesty. Violations that are deliberate, egregious, and/or repetitive are referred to the Honor Code Office for action that affects the student’s standing with the College.

Document Forgery: Students are honest and true, even in the face of what may appear to be dire individual situations. Students who forge documents and submit them to campus personnel or offices, or use them for federal financial aid, or to satisfy international student regulations, or for any other College-related businesses or enterprises violate College standards.

Electronic Devices: Students avoid even the appearance of cheating; therefore the use of electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, digital cameras, etc.) during tests, quizzes, or other restricted academic activities violates the Honor Code.

Lying to Campus Officials: Statements or actions made with the intent to deceive constitute a lie, undermine trust, and are considered a violation of the Honor Code.

Proper language edifies and lifts the thoughts and character of the person speaking and helps others reach their full eternal potential; therefore, language that takes the name of God in vain, is crude, vulgar, insulting or demeaning is not consistent with the standards of Ensign College students.

Slurs: The Honor Code helps students value and develop love for others so that students, faculty and staff might be “of one heart and one mind;” therefore, disparaging remarks concerning those of another race, creed, nationality, gender, or situation violate the spirit and intent of the Honor Code.

Harassment/Intimidation/Hazing: The College strives to foster an environment of mutual respect. Students at Ensign College are expected to treat others in a way that contributes to the well-being of the College’s community and its members. Therefore, all forms of harassment (verbal, physical, mental or sexual), hazing, intimidation, exploitation, or behavior that threaten or endanger the health and safety of others are in violation of the honor code and contrary to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Such behavior will subject any participants to disciplinary sanction as well as possible criminal action.

Virtuous living purifies students and protects them from the sins of the world. Virtuous students maintain self respect and remain close to the Spirit. Students who engage in vulgar or demeaning language, view or listen to degrading media, engage in sexual relations outside the bonds of marriage, or pursue activities that are not wholesome violate the spirit of the Honor Code. Virtuous living means having strength to perform regular tasks such as prayer, consistent study of the scriptures, attending church meetings, partaking of the sacrament, keeping the Sabbath day holy, fasting, timely payment of financial obligations, paying an honest tithe, adherence to the Word of Wisdom, and faithful observance of the law of chastity.

Law of Chastity: The law of chastity is a protection against the forces of evil and a preparation for eternal marriage and family. The law of chastity includes having virtuous and holy thoughts, emotions, desires and behavior that leads to sexual purity. As students live the law of chastity the Lord’s richest blessings of protection and preparation will be theirs. Students who violate the law of chastity drive away the Spirit from themselves and affect those around them.

Pornography: Pornography is defined as any immodest, unchaste, vulgar, suggestive, offensive, or inappropriate material that appeals to prurient interests, is designed to sexually arouse, or objectifies people. Participation in any form of pornography drives away the Spirit and negates a student’s contributions to the Ensign College learning community. Such material may be in many forms, including printed text, photographs, live persons, internet, books, magazines, movies, videos, television, electronic images, inappropriate telephone conversations, music, and theatrical presentations.

Lewdness: Talk or behavior that centers on the tawdry and/or unchaste damages a person’s sensitivity to the Spirit. It dirties the mind and sows the first seeds of immorality. Such behavior is inconsistent with the standards of the Honor Code. Students should not participate in vulgar speech and expression nor speak casually of sexual immorality.

Necking/Petting: Necking and petting includes passionate kissing, lying on top of each other, and touching the private, sacred parts of another person’s body, with or without clothing. Intimate contact and passionate kissing arouse powerful emotions that must be expressed only in marriage. For those students who are single and dating, careful planning and constructive activities help prevent situations that lead to inappropriate physical contact. Avoid sexual thoughts and discussions. Do not allow anyone to engage in inappropriate physical contact with you. Do not arouse those emotions in your own body.

The College does not allow weapons on campus property, even when granted a civil permit to carry one. Weapons, defined as firearms or weapons, include any device that can expel a projectile, knives that are longer than 3 ½ inches and/or is a multi-edge blade, explosives, or other items that in their intended use are capable of inflicting serious injury or damaging property. Facsimiles of firearms or dangerous and destructive weapons are also prohibited. Any replicas of weapons on campus property are also prohibited. Weapons that are illegally purchased, illegally owned, or illegally stored or against landlord policies are prohibited. Because these items pose a clear risk to the persons and property on the Ensign College campus, violation of this policy may result in immediate suspension (expulsion) or ban. Suspected violations of this policy should be reported immediately to campus security (dial 2-2771 from on-campus college phones or 801.240.2771). Failure to report suspected violations may result in expulsion.