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Aggie Honor Code

Integrity is a fundamental core value of Texas A&M University. Academic integrity requires a commitment by all faculty, students, and administrators to:

  • Remain constantly focused on the quality of the academic programs
  • Achieve and maintain academic excellence in all courses and programs to assure the value of Texas A&M University degrees
  • Demand high academic standards from all members of the Aggie community
  • Actively promote academic integrity
  • Confront instances of academic misconduct through engagement in the Aggie Honor System Office rules and procedures

All Texas A&M University students, graduate and undergraduate, part-time or full-time, in residence or in distance education, are expected to follow the guiding rule of the Aggie Honor Code:

“An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.”

Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University or one of its branch campuses, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor System.  A student will be required to state his/her commitment on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the Texas A&M community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor System.

The Honor System Office is charged with promotion of the honor code and administration of academic misconduct cases. The Honor Council, comprised of students and faculty from colleges and offices across the University, will investigate all such infractions of the honor code and recommend appropriate sanctions. The website, http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu, defines the types of infractions and the possible consequences. Students are urged to review this information.

In addition to adherence to the Honor Code, a student (graduate students in particular) who is completing a thesis, record of study, dissertation, and publication may fall under the additional federal requirements promulgated by the Office of Research Integrity (Scientific Misconduct Regulations — 42 CFR part 50), as well as Texas A&M System Regulations and Texas A&M University Rules (Texas A&M System Regulations — Ethics in Research, Scholarship and Creative Work — 15.99.03, and Texas A&M University rules and standard administrative procedures — Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship — 15.99.03.M1, 15.99.03. M1.01-06).

Contact information for each campus can be found at the following:

Aggie Honor System Office

http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu

All Texas A&M students, graduate and undergraduate, part-time or full-time, in residence or in distance education, are expected to follow the guiding rule of the Aggie Honor Code: “An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.”

Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Aggie Honor System Office (http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu). Students may be required to state their commitment on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the Texas A&M community from the requirements or the processes of the Aggie Honor System Office.

Texas A&M University students are responsible for authenticating all work submitted to an instructor.  If asked, students must be able to produce proof that the item submitted is indeed the work of that student.  Students must keep appropriate records at all times.  The inability to authenticate one's work, should the instructor request it, is suffiicient grounds to initiate an academic dishonesty case.

First Professional Academic Appeals Panel and Process

The First Professional Appeals Panel (FPAP) will hear appeals regarding allegations of due process violations only, after all administrative processes related to

(a) suspensions, dismissals, or blocks for scholastic deficiency in a student’s academic program; and

(b) appeals of disputes over final course grades have been exhausted in first professional programs (JD, MD, DDS, DVM, PharmD).

Texas A&M University Student Rules Part III, Section 62 describe the First Professional Appeals Panel Process in detail. Please carefully review Section 62 before pursuing a grievance. First professional students are also strongly encouraged to seek clarification and advice regarding appropriate grievance procedures. A valuable resource for questions regarding grievances and appeals, the Graduate Ombuds Officer advocates for the processes of graduate education and provides equal, open access to all parties: students, faculty, staff, and administrators. To set up an appointment with the Graduate Ombuds Officer, email ombuds@tamu.edu.

Instructions for Securing a Hearing Before the First Professional Appeals Panel

To secure a hearing with the First Professional Appeals Panel, please follow these procedures:

Complete the Form to Request a Hearing, indicating your intention to appeal to the First Professional Appeals Panel. This form must be completed and emailed to the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School within ten (10) university business days after receiving the dean’s (or designee’s) letter from the Professional School notifying the student of the outcome of their hearing in the Professional School in which they are enrolled.

For additional information, see the First Professional Appeals page on the Graduate and Professional School website.

Graduate Academic Appeals Panel and Process

The Graduate Academic Appeals Panel (GAAP) is governed by the most current version of Texas A&M University Student Rule 59.

Graduate or professional students who believe that decisions about unauthorized absences, final grades, the outcome of evaluation of performance on examinations, or decisions about separation (e.g., probation, suspension, dismissal, or termination) from a Department, Interdisciplinary Degree Program, and/or College for scholastic deficiency were made on an arbitrary, capricious, or prejudicial basis may appeal such decisions through the appeals process specified in Student Rule 59 (Graduate Academic Appeals Panel). In such appeals, the burden of proof is upon the student to demonstrate that the decisions in question were arbitrary, capricious, or prejudiced.

The decision to request action by the Graduate Academic Appeals Panel means that:

  1. the student has appealed to the faculty (for final grades), department head or chair of the interdisciplinary degree program, and then the dean of the college administering the student’s degree; and
  2. the actions recommended at each level are unsatisfactory to the student or the examining committee.

The student and/or the examining committee – through its chair – may file an appeal to the Graduate Academic Appeals Panel.

For additional information, see the Student Grievances and Appeals Procedures page on the Graduate and Professional School website.

Student Grievances and Appeals Procedures

Specific procedures at Texas A&M University allow graduate students to pursue a grievance for any of the problems, issues, or concerns listed in the table below. First Professional Students can pursue disputes over due process. Before initiating a grievance, students are strongly encouraged to seek clarification and advice from the Graduate and Professional Student Ombuds Office regarding appropriate procedures. The Ombuds Officer represents a valuable resource for questions regarding grievances and appeals. The Ombuds Officer advocates for the processes of graduate and professional education and provides equal, open access to all parties: students, faculty, staff, and administrators. To set up an appointment with the Graduate Ombuds Officer, contact ombuds@tamu.edu or (979) 845-3631.

Type of Grievance/Issue A&M Student Rule University Panel Handling Appeals Appeals Panel Preliminary and Formal Resolution Procedures
Discrimination and Discrimination Appeals 45 Discrimination Appeals Panel 56
Disability Accommodations in Academic Programs 46 Discrimination Appeals Panel 56
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and/or Stalking 47 University Disciplinary Appeals Panel 58
Grade Disputes 48 Graduate Academic Appeals Panel 59
Unexcused Absences 49 Graduate Academic Appeals Panel 59
Academic Suspension and Blocks 50 Graduate Academic Appeals Panel 59
Student Conduct Separation and Appeal 51 University Disciplinary Panel 58
Academic Misconduct 52 Aggie Honor System Office Aggie Honor System Appeals Process
Graduate Student Examination Evaluation Disputes 53 Graduate Academic Appeals Panel 59
Financial Assessments by the University 54 Head of Department or Unit Involved Student Fiscal Appeal Process
Parking Citations 55 Student Parking Appeals Board Citation Appeals Process
Disputes over Due Process (First Professional Students Only) 62 First Professional Academic Appeals Panel 62

University Student Rules

Each student enrolled at Texas A&M University is responsible for being fully acquainted with and complying with the Texas A&M University Student Rules. Specific rules, information, and procedures may be found in publications pertaining to each particular service or department. Graduate students are encouraged to reference the Student Rules website for current published rules and regulations. 

For information concerning federal and state policies, please reference the appendices in this catalog.