Module 4: Avenues to Report Misconduct

Welcome to Module 4, the final module of this learning series!

As a graduate student at Virginia Tech, you have specific rights and responsibilities that apply if you discover what you believe to be a Graduate Honor Code violation.

This module will explore those rights and responsibilities, as well as how to report a possible violation that you have discovered. This information is also included in the Virginia Tech Graduate Honor Code.

After completing this module, you should be able to:

• Explain your responsibilities relative to a discovered violation of Virginia Tech’s Graduate Honor Code.
• Describe where to report alleged misconduct relative to Virginia Tech’s Graduate Honor Code.
• Explain your rights as the reporter of a violation of Virginia Tech’s Graduate Honor Code.

If you discover what you think is a violation of the Virginia Tech Graduate Honor Code, you MUST:

• Report the alleged violation(s) to the Graduate Honor System within 10 University business days from the date of discovery.
  • The date the violation occurred is not what matters here; it’s the date on which you became aware of the violation.
• Identify yourself as the reporter.
  • Reports may not be made anonymously.
• Appear at the Review Panel hearing, once it has been scheduled.
  • You will be notified of this date.
• Maintain confidentiality with respect to the violation, except with counsel.

If you discover what you think is a violation of the Virginia Tech Honor Code, you MAY, if you choose to:

• Discuss the charges, before the Review Panel hearing, with the person who violated the GHC.
  • This is not required; it is your choice. You may decline.
• Include a witness at a discussion with the person who violated the GHC, if you choose to meet with them before the Review Panel hearing.
  • Again, this is not required; it is your choice.

Now that you’ve completed the four modules, you may proceed to take the final quiz. Follow the link below.

A passing score is 80% or higher, and you may re-take the quiz until a passing score is achieved.

After you complete the quiz with a score of 80% or higher, please forward the email you will receive to your advisor. Remember, Virginia Tech requires all graduate students to complete training in scholarly ethics and integrity as part of their program requirements.