At Rollins College, the moment a professor files an honor code referral, a student’s options in that course narrow: Rollins’ Academic Honor Code states that an accused student may not withdraw from the course or use the late credit/no credit option once the referral has been made. From there, the case goes to the Academic Honor Council, which can resolve it informally or through a formal hearing, and a finding of a violation requires at least a four-to-one vote.
Rollins publishes its Academic Honor Code and procedures online, and they can change; the version in effect when a case arises is the one that applies. As a private college, Rollins follows its own code rather than the statewide rules that govern student rights at Florida’s public universities.
Everyone Is Required to Report
Rollins puts an unusual obligation on its whole community. According to the Academic Honor Code, all students, faculty, and staff are required to report violations in writing to the Academic Honor Council, with referrals made through the office of the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
Rollins’ code also allows the Council to consider charges beyond those listed in the original referral, if the facts of the case support them. That’s one reason the facts a student shares early matter so much, especially in cases that start with an AI detection score that may misidentify a student’s own work.
Three Ways a Case Can Be Resolved
Under the code, a report can be resolved through self-referral, an informal resolution, or a formal resolution through the Academic Honor Council. A staff advisor to the Council must be present at the informal meeting.
If a formal hearing is required, the Council’s chair notifies the student in writing of the available times. The hearing includes the chair, five Council members, two investigators, the Council’s advisors, the student, the student’s advisor, and relevant witnesses. After the hearing, the Council decides by at least a four-to-one vote whether the student violated the code.
Choosing an Advisor at Rollins
Rollins entitles the accused student to select a Rollins student, faculty member, or staff member as an advisor to help prepare for the hearing. The advisor may attend, and may consult with the student before and during the hearing, but may not address the chair or the Council. If a student can’t select an advisor, the Council will appoint one.
Appeals: Procedure, the Record, and the Faculty Member
A student found responsible can submit a written appeal to the Dean of the Faculty within the period the code sets. According to Rollins, the student must show procedural misconduct by the Academic Honor Council that was prejudicial to them, and the review is limited to the verbatim record of the hearings, the supporting documents, and the written appeal. The Academic Honor Appeals Committee is made up of the Dean of the Faculty, the Council’s chair, and the Council’s faculty advisor who wasn’t present at the hearing.
One feature surprises many students: under Rollins’ code, the faculty member in whose course the issue arose may also appeal the Council’s finding. And any sanctions a student receives must be completed before graduation. Students who think they’ve been wrongly accused of cheating should keep in mind that the appeal looks at procedure and the record, not a fresh look at the facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw from a Rollins course after an honor code referral?
No. Rollins’ code states an accused student may not withdraw or use the late credit/no credit option once a referral is made.
What vote does the Rollins Academic Honor Council need to find a violation?
At least a four-to-one vote, according to Rollins’ Academic Honor Code.
Can the professor appeal a Rollins honor code decision?
Yes. Rollins’ code allows the faculty member in whose course the infraction may have occurred to appeal the Council’s finding.
Who can be my advisor in a Rollins honor code case?
A Rollins student, faculty member, or staff member, who may consult with you but may not address the Council.
Representation in Rollins Honor Code Cases
Richard Asselta is a Florida student defense attorney who represents students in academic integrity cases at Florida colleges and universities, including Rollins. Because Rollins limits hearing advisors to its own community, he works with students behind the scenes to prepare for the informal meeting or formal hearing, organize their evidence, and build any appeal around the hearing record. Call 855-338-5299 or learn more about Richard Asselta.