At Texas A&M, academic misconduct is handled through the Aggie Honor System, built around the Aggie Code of Honor and administered by the Aggie Honor System Office. The university’s honor system rules, published as Student Rule 20 at the time of writing, govern how allegations are reported, decided, and appealed. One distinctive feature of Texas A&M’s system is that more than one path exists for resolving a case, and which path a case takes shapes how it unfolds.
A note on policies: universities revise their handbooks, rules, and procedures over time, and the process that governs any particular case is the one in effect for that case. This article describes the general structure of Texas A&M’s process as the university has published it. The university’s current official rules are the controlling source, and details may differ from what is described here.
What Are the Paths a Texas A&M Case Can Take?
According to the university’s published materials, an instructor who believes a violation occurred has options. In some cases, the instructor may resolve the matter directly, meeting with the student and assigning a sanction from the options the honor system provides, with the case reported to the Aggie Honor System Office. Alternatively, a case can be referred to the Honor Council, whose members include both students and faculty. Honor Council proceedings may take the form of a conference or a hearing panel, and the university’s rules reserve the most serious sanctions for the more formal hearing panel process. Under any path, a report is filed with the Aggie Honor System Office, which maintains the university’s records of honor code cases.
What Is an F* Grade?
The F* is Texas A&M’s designation for a failing grade due to academic dishonesty. On the transcript, it carries a notation identifying the failure as resulting from academic dishonesty, which distinguishes it from an ordinary F. The Aggie Honor System Office has described the F* as a common sanction in honor code cases.
The university’s materials also describe a path for students to have the asterisk portion removed, connected to completing the requirements of Honor Violation Probation. Whether and how that path applies depends on the case and on the rules in effect.
What Other Sanctions Exist?
Texas A&M’s published sanctions range from a grade reduction on an assignment or course, to educational sanctions, to the F*, to more serious outcomes including separation from the university in the most severe cases. Sanctions depend on the nature of the violation, the student’s history, and the process through which the case is decided.
Can a Texas A&M Honor Code Decision Be Appealed?
Yes. The university’s rules provide an appeal process with defined bases for appeal, and appeals are filed through the Aggie Honor System Office. The available grounds, timing, and procedures are set by the rules in effect for the case.
Common Misconceptions About Texas A&M Cases
“If my professor handled it, it is not on record.” Under the honor system, cases are reported to the Aggie Honor System Office regardless of the path taken.
“An F* is the same as an F.” The F* carries a notation identifying the failure as due to academic dishonesty, which an ordinary F does not.
“The F* is permanent no matter what.” The university’s materials describe a path for removing the asterisk through Honor Violation Probation requirements, though its availability depends on the case.
“Honor Council means only students decide.” Honor Council proceedings involve both student and faculty members.
How These Cases Connect to the Rest of a Student’s Record
Honor code findings can affect more than one course, including how a student answers misconduct questions on later applications. Many Texas A&M cases begin the same ways they do nationally, including through AI-related allegations and messages used as evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles academic misconduct at Texas A&M?
The Aggie Honor System Office administers the honor system, with cases resolved either by the instructor or through Honor Council proceedings.
What does F* mean on a Texas A&M transcript?
A failing grade due to academic dishonesty, identified as such on the transcript.
Can the asterisk on an F* be removed?
The university’s materials describe a removal path tied to completing Honor Violation Probation requirements, subject to the rules in effect.
Is there an appeal process for Texas A&M honor code cases?
Yes, with defined bases for appeal, filed through the Aggie Honor System Office.
Representation in Texas A&M Honor Code Cases
Every honor code case turns on its specific facts and on the university’s rules as they stand at the time of the case, and handbooks and procedures can change. Attorney Richard Asselta is a student defense attorney who represents students in academic misconduct cases at colleges and universities nationwide, including Texas A&M. Call 855-338-5299.