Honor System
All students are bound by the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities given in the General Information Catalog . Regulations and procedures regarding student discipline and conduct are set forth in chapter 11 of the rules. All students are bound by the following University Honor Code; law school students are also bound by the School of Law Honor Code.
University Honor Code
The core values of the University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the University is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.
School of Law Honor Code
The study of law is an integral part of the legal profession. Students engaged in legal studies should learn the proper ethical standards as part of their education. All members of the legal profession recognize the need to maintain a high level of professional competence and integrity. A student at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law is expected to adhere to the highest standard of personal integrity. Each student is expected to compete honestly and fairly with his or her peers. All law students are harmed by unethical behavior by any student. A student who deals dishonestly with fellow law students may be dishonest in the future and harm both future clients and the legal profession. Under the honor system, the students must not tolerate unethical behavior by their fellow students. A student who knows of unethical behavior of another student is under an obligation to take the steps necessary to expose this behavior. Students in the University of Texas at Austin School of Law are governed by the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities. Students may be subject to discipline for cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentations.
Character and Fitness Disclosure
A student’s failure to provide truthful and complete answers to the Character and Fitness questions contained in the School of Law’s application for admission is a violation of the School of Law’s Honor Code and University Institutional Rules, and is subject to discipline. Students may amend their applications at any time. Amendments received before the 12th class day of a student’s first semester at the School of Law will be treated as part of the original application and the student will not be subject to discipline. Students who make amendments after the 12th day of class, however, may be subject to discipline under the University Institutional Rules.
Students have an ongoing duty to disclose to the School of Law any charges of, or guilty pleas or no contest pleas to, any violation of the criminal laws, other than a minor traffic violation. Failure to disclose such events in a timely manner is a violation of the School of Law Honor Code and University Institutional Rules and is subject to discipline.