Student Honor Council
The Student Honor Council (SHC) was established during the 2011-12 academic year. The SHC plays a critical role in the university judicial system. The president of the university has entrusted us with the administration of the most serious situations involving alleged violations of community standards.
The Student Honor Council is an officially recognized student organization with individuals selected to serve the university community by promoting a community of honor, integrity and personal responsibility. The SHC upholds Christopher Newport's Honor Code and the Student Code of Conduct by making decisions in the university’s conduct process through a partnership with the Center for Honor Enrichment and Community Standards. Specifically, SHC members serve as panel members, support students who are going through the process, represent the university community and participate in educational outreach and programming efforts.
Members of the SHC are full-time students that are nominated by their peers, faculty and staff, and are representative of the campus community. Members are then selected by the president of the SHC. Members will complete one year of policy, procedures and sanctioning training. After completing training, all members attend regular in-service training sessions.
Student Panel Members
Each panel will comprise the following:
Chairperson
The chairperson is selected by the Student Honor Council, and is responsible for conducting the panel proceedings. The chairperson will make sure the proper processes are followed and, at the conclusion of the hearing and deliberations, will communicate any decisions to the appropriate person. The chairperson is a member of the Student Honor Council and will have voting privileges. Voting privileges also exist for all other panel members who will ask questions and work with the chairperson during a student’s appeal hearing.
Community Advocate
The community advocate represents the university community during a panel. They are a trained member of the Student Honor Council who understands the university’s policies, procedures and student rights. They will give opening and closing statements, and ask questions of the alleged student. They do not participate in deliberation, nor do they have a say in the panel's findings.
Student Advocate
The student advocate is a resource to help the alleged student prepare for the panel. They are a trained member of the Student Honor Council who understands the university’s policies, procedures and student rights. Alleged students are encouraged to meet with the student advocate before the panel to prepare. They can help the alleged student prepare opening and closing statements, questions for witnesses and answers to typical questions. During the hearing, the student advocate will not speak on behalf of the student; they may only advise the student in writing. They are not involved in the panel’s deliberation.
CHECS Representative
A representative from the Center for Honor Enrichment and Community Standards will also attend the panel to serve as an adviser to the Student Honor Council. The representative may not attend the deliberation and is not involved in the decision-making process.
The SHC serves the Christopher Newport community by focusing on three areas in addition to serving on panels:
- Recruitment focuses on identifying and selecting new Honor Council members who are a diverse representative of the Christopher Newport community.
- Programming and outreach reaches out to the campus community to promote honor and integrity. SHC members also work with student groups and organizations, academic departments and administrative offices to share more about their role on campus and be resources to the community.
- Training is involved in planning and implementing training for SHC members and for external groups. Members in this area facilitate Welcome Week and Setting Sail sessions as well as help with student leader training.
Interested in becoming an honor council member?
If you are interested in serving on SHC, please email shc@cnu.edu and checs@cnu.edu. Student Honor Council applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Submitted applications will be considered during the fall and spring recruitment seasons.
If you have any questions, please contact us by phone at (757) 594-7190 or by email at checs@cnu.edu.
To connect with us, visit us on Instagram or on Facebook.
For more information on the Student Honor Council, visit our Compass page.