HONOUR CODE : AIT
What is ‘Honour Code’
1.
An Honour Code or Honour System is a set of rules or ethical principles
governing a community based on ideals that define what constitutes honourable
behavior within that community. The use of an honour code depends on the notion
that people (at least within the community) can be trusted to act honourably. Those
who are in violation of the Honour Code can be subject to various sanctions/
restrictions/punishments.
Honour Code of AIT
2.
An AIT student will not lie, cheat or steal; We will neither indulge in
ragging, smoking, consuming alcohol or use psychotropic substances (drugs),
nor tolerate those who do.
Application of the Honour Code
3.
Every student of AIT is expected to behave as a gentle man / gentle
woman/lady. Honour Code is a declaration by the entire college community that
the honourable course is the most just; and therefore the best. This code is
concerned with an academic as well as a social component, demanding equal
respect among all students. Students are responsible for understanding the Honour
Code and its implementation in the Army Institute of Technology.
If a student
believes that a faculty member or administrator is not doing what the Honour Code
calls for, the student should contact his/her staff counselor or a staff member of the
Honour Board or make a report to the Principal/JD/Dir.
4.
Each AIT student is responsible for knowing and adhering to the Code. Each
student is expected to own up any Honour Code violation caused by him/her. Each
AIT student is honour bound to report immediately all violations of the Honour
Code of which the student has first-hand knowledge; failure to do so is itself a
violation of the Honour Code.
5.
Students of AIT are expected to uphold academic excellence and high
community standards by practicing responsible citizenship that protects the core
principles of the College, more so as AIT is a residential college. With the
privilege of having a diverse student body, students should be able to interact and
learn from each other in ways that uphold community respect and personal
freedom. The Honour Code sets the tone for campus life and acts as a philosophy
to live by through demonstrating a commitment to personal participation in
improving the quality of life in our community.
6.
The Honour Code is based on the following tenets:(a)
We all must possess personal integrity both as students and as
professionals.
(b)
Members of the Army Institute of Technology community are
honourable and trustworthy persons.
(c)
The students, faculty members, and administrators of the Army
Institute of Technology trust each other to uphold the principles of the
Honour Code.
They are jointly responsible for precautions against
violations of its policies.
(d)
It is dishonourable for students to receive credit for work that is not
the result of their own efforts.
(e)
We will treat anybody and everybody with the same respect and
dignity as we expect others to bestow upon us.
Policies for Honour Code of Students
7.
A list of acts, which the students of AIT are prohibited from committing, is
attached as Appendix.
8.
Stealing is the intentional taking of any property without right or permission.
Lying is intentional misrepresentation of any form. Cheating is any practice,
method, or assistance, whether explicitly forbidden or unmentioned, that involves
any degree of dishonesty, fraud, or deceit. Cheating includes plagiarism, which is
representing another’s ideas or words as one’s own.
9.
Personal Conduct
(a)
Ragging. Ragging is any act which causes or is likely to cause
physical / psychological harm or raise apprehension or fear or shame or
embarrassment to a student in any educational institution and includes
teasing, abusing, threatening, playing practical jokes on , or causing hurt to
such student or asking any student to do any act or perform something which
such student will not, in the ordinary course, be willing to do. Ragging /
abetment to ragging is strictly prohibited. Any student or staff observing
ragging will immediately report the matter to the Warden / Rector/ Jt Dir.
(b)
Consumption of Alcohol.
No student will consume alcohol or
instigate others to do so. Beer or champagne is also alcohol. Students are
not permitted to enter AIT after consumption of alcohol. Especially, due to
the prevalent security environment outside the AIT, girl students have to be
vigilant against consuming any drink containing alcohol, as such an act has
very serious repercussions.
(c)
Use of Tobacco Products or Drugs. AIT is a tobacco free zone.
Students are prohibited from smoking or use of drugs or use of pan or any
other tobacco product. Students are not permitted to keep any tobacco
product or drugs with them.
(d)
Punctuality.
Students are expected to reach classes at least five
minutes before the scheduled time for commencement of the lecture /
practices / talk.
(e)
Attendance at Important Functions. In order to attend functions
organised at Raman Theater / Manekshaw Hall / BCJ Hall , all students
should arrive for all functions at least ten minutes before the scheduled time
of arrival of the Chief Guest / commencement of the function. They are not
expected to move in/ out of the venue while the function is in progress and
should leave the venue only after the departure of the Chief Guest / faculty
members.
(f)
At any meeting/ special functions/ cultural or sports activities, within
the Institute or at any other public place, the students are expected to
conduct themselves in a manner befitting that of a student of AIT.
(g)
Dress Code. A student of Army Institute of Technology is expected
to ensure that his/her turnout is befitting his/her status as a student of Army
Institute of Technology. Dresses as laid down in AIT Rule Book will be
followed in letter and spirit, for all events.
(h)
Students will not intentional slander or belittle any other student of the
college; if done unintentionally, will duly apologize to the affected party.
(j)
No student of the college will discourage a new idea or any other
positive endeavour undertaken by a fellow student.
(k)
No student will involve himself/herself in any conduct which would
threaten his/her self respect or his/her family dignity.
(l)
Every student of AIT will ensure that he/ she, consciously or
unconsciously, does any act which may bring AIT or any authority or
establishment connected with AIT into disrepute.
(m)
No student should keep quiet if a violation of the Honour Code takes
place, but should raise his voice and help the individual in stress.
10.
Behavioral Conduct,
(a)
A student is expected to behave with the utmost humility and try and
help another individual in any way possible, under any circumstance.
(b)
If an individual needs any sort of help, a student of Army Institute of
Technology will go out of his/her way to help him/her.
(c)
A student should in no way demand subordination, i.e. he/she should
command respect than demand respect.
(d)
A student of Army Institute of Technology will in no way disrespect a
faculty member or any other member of the administration. If there is any
matter which needs attention, he / she will humbly request an audience with
the respective faculty member and follow the proper channel to resolve the
matter.
(e)
A boy student of Army Institute of Technology will always treat any
female individual with the same respect and dignity he would treat his
female family members. If a student is found disrespecting or participating
in any act which makes a female individual uncomfortable, it is a violation
of the Honour Code and he will be penalized and punished according to the
severity of the act.
11.
Ethical Conduct. Ethics is not all about doing the right thing, but about
making the right choices, choices which direct the individual towards an
honourable outcome. Honour Code violations relating to unethical conduct
include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a)
Seeking, acquiring, receiving, or giving information about the conduct
of an examination, knowing that the release of such information has not been
authorised.
(b)
Plagiarising.
(c)
Seeking, using, giving, or obtaining unauthorised assistance in any
academic assignment or examination.
(d)
Intentionally mis-shelving, damaging or removing library materials
without authorisation.
(e)
Intentionally giving false information to professors or instructors for
the purpose of gaining academic advantage.
(f)
12.
Breach of any duties prescribed by this code.
Taking Exams (or Tests).
(a)
The Honour Code is based on the principle that students can be trusted
to take examinations without cheating.
(b)
The instructor will announce the time and place of the exam and also,
whether or not aids such as calculators, notes, or textbooks are to be allowed
during the examination.
(c)
It is a violation of the Honour Code to use a calculator or other aid to
store or record text or equations for an exam unless the instructor gives
permission to do so.
13.
On Homework, Laboratory Assignments, Papers, and Reports.
(a)
The instructor may prohibit collaboration on homework and
laboratory assignments and must make these policies clear.
(b)
It is a violation of the Honour Code for students to submit as their
own work which is not the result of their own labour and thought. Work
which includes material derived in any way from the efforts of another
author, either by direct quotation or paraphrasing, should be fully
documented.
(c)
Any attempt to use fraudulent data for a report or presentation is a
violation of the Honour Code.
14.
When Using Computers and Other Facilities.
(a)
Students should observe instructions posted in computer rooms,
laboratories, and libraries.
(b)
‘Hot Spots’ will not be created in college wi-fi system.
(c)
Students should not access restricted websites.
(d)
Students should not submit as their own work a computer program, or
part thereof, which is not the result of their own thought and effort unless
they are working on a group assignment.
(e)
Any attempt to present as one's work any- code copied from another
student, done jointly with another student, or copied from an
unacknowledged source is violation of the Honour Code.
(f)
Students should not attempt to access or tamper with the class account
of another student, without his/her permission.
(g)
Computers and software available to students for use are the property
of or are licensed to Institute. Any unauthorized attempt to copy software or
tamper with computers or software is a violation of Honour Code.
(h)
All laboratories, classrooms, office equipment, and libraries are
facilities available for instruction and learning. Use of these facilities for any
purpose not approved by the Institute is a violation of the Honour Code.
(j)
Social media sites should not be used to send negative comments or
embarrass / malign /threaten anybody, which is a crime for which the
perpetrator is liable to be prosecuted and is also an Honour Code violation.
15.
Concerning Academic Records.
(a)
Academic misconduct is an offense generally defined as any action or
failure to act which is contrary to the integrity and honesty of members of
the academic community.
(b)
Official academic forms and records are the property of AIT.
Tampering with, alteration, or other misuse of these documents is a violation
of the Honour Code.
(c)
Submitting falsified or altered documents is also a violation.
Procedure
16.
This Code extends to all student activities both on and off campus (off-
campus violations can be prosecuted) and considers tolerance of a violation itself a
violation. The system is upheld and presided over by a student-governed Honour
Council, which has judicial powers.
17.
The Honour Council will comprise of student representatives. These are:(a)
General Secretary (Girls).
(b)
General Secretary (Boys).
(c)
Cultural Secretary (Girls)
(d)
Sports Secretary (Boys).
(e)
Tech Secretary (Girls).
(f)
One student of Second Year Engineering to be nominated in rotation
from the divisions of Computer Engineering, E&TC (A), IT, Mechanical
and E&TC (B), by respective HoD, for a period of ten weeks each.
(g)
One student of First Year Engineering to be nominated in rotation
from the divisions of E&TC (B), Mechanical, IT, Computer Engineering
and E&TC (A), by respective HoD, for a period of ten weeks each.
18.
Reporting and Processing Honour Code Violations
(a)
The students, faculty members, and administrators of the College trust
each other to uphold the principles of the Honour Code. They are jointly
responsible for precautions against violations of its policies. All students,
faculty, and other employees of AIT are responsible for familiarity with and
support of the Honour Code. Any student, faculty member, administrative
officer, employee, or guest of the College may charge a student with a
violation of the Honour Code.
(b)
When a student, faculty member, or administrator observes a student
violation of the Code, this person has the duty and responsibility to:
(i)
Obtain the names of the people involved
(ii)
Inform the instructor in whose class the alleged incident took
place as also the staff counselor of the student who committed the
alleged violation.
(c)
Such charges of violations should be made within 7 calendar days
following the discovery of an alleged incident.
(d)
Once a charge is reported, and in the case where prima facie a
violation has occurred, the staff counselor of the accused student will inform
the student of the charge and its nature, in the form of a written notification;
and the Honour Council will be informed.
The charge can also be
communicated to the student on his / her unique e-mail id. The counselor and
will verify any prior offenses, from the records.
(e)
The Honour Council will conduct hearing(s) as per procedure.
(f)
The Honour Council will hold investigatory hearings of alleged
Honour Code violations. The Honour Council provides a student environment
which allows for peer-review and presentation of the case without any
inhibitions caused by the presence of faculty members or administrators.
Hearings, administrative conferences and other proceedings regarding alleged
violations of the Honour Code shall be conducted pursuant to Ordinance of
University of Poona on ‘Maintenance of Discipline and Good conduct by
students’, framed under the University Act, 1974, as modified up to 01 April
1992. Case reports and a final recommendation on disciplinary action will be
submitted by the Council to the Honour Board in a timely fashion.
(g)
An Honour Council member will be assigned to the case, review the
evidence with the accused and ask for an explanation of the event.
(h)
The accused will receive a written notice of the suspected violation
and an invitation to appear at an Honour Council hearing where the accused
will be asked to describe the actions and motivations relevant to the incident.
(j)
Witnesses to the incident will appear at the same hearing and. be
asked to share their thoughts and impressions concerning the incident.
(k)
taking
The Honour Council will determine guilt or innocence of the accused
into
account
all
evidence,
and
will
report
findings
and
recommendations on disciplinary action to the Honour Board. If found
innocent, the student is cleared of all charges and the matter is closed, and no
further action is taken. After ratification by the Honour Board, The accused
student and the one who alleged the Honour Code violation will receive
written notification of the Honour Council's decision and reasons for that
decision.
(l)
In cases where the Council finds the student ‘Guilty’ of violation of
the Honour Code, the violation(s) will be specified by the Council. Where
more than one Honour Code violations have been alleged, separate findings of
‘Not Guilty’ and ‘Guilty’ will be recorded.
(m)
The Council will recommend the disciplinary action to be taken
against the student in each case he / she is found ‘Guilty’. All the records are
then forwarded to the Honour Board for ratification.
(n)
The Honour Board will review the Honour Council recommendation s
and the original written notification of the charge and penalty as well. The
student will also be asked to appear before the Board before any decision on
disciplinary action is made.
(o)
The decision of the Board, regarding the findings, verdict and
quantum of punishment, is then forwarded to the Director. On approval, a
copy of the written notification will be forwarded to the Registrar who
maintains the official records of all Honour Code convictions in compliance
with AIT’s policies on information access.
(p)
The Honour Board will issue written notification of punishment to the
student.
(q)
If the student finds the charge or penalty levied by the Council/
Honour Board unfair, the student may appeal to the Director, AIT. Such
grievances must be filed within 14 calendar days from the receipt of written
notification.
19.
Penalties / Punishments. The Honour Council may recommend any of the
following punishments, singly or with other punishments, to be awarded to any
student indulging in any act which violates the Honour Code, depending on the
severity of the act/misconduct:(a)
Verbal warning/ censure/reprimand.
(b)
Written warning/censure/reprimand.
(c)
Fine (Amount to be specified).
(d)
Withholding of results (Period to be specified).
(e)
Rustication (Period to be specified).
(f)
Expulsion (Period to be specified).
(g)
Students staying in AIT hostel may be punished with expulsion from
hostel, for an act he/she committed.
20.
Honour Board. The Honour Board will comprise of the Principal and all
the Heads of Departments, the Rector Boys’ Hostel and the three wardens.
21.
This Code will be revised in the month of June 2015.
JD