At the University of Notre Dame, undergraduate academic integrity is governed by the Academic Code of Honor, which every entering student pledges to follow, and its Procedural Appendix, which sets out how cases are handled. Alleged violations are addressed by Honor Code Committees within each college or school, and contested cases can go to a hearing before an Honor Code Committee panel. Notre Dame allows a student to bring a support person to a hearing, but the support person must be a member of the Notre Dame community.
A note on policies: universities revise their handbooks and procedures over time, and Notre Dame updates its Procedural Appendix periodically, including for the 2025–26 academic year. The process that governs any particular case is the one in effect for that case. This article describes the general structure of Notre Dame’s undergraduate process as the university has published it. The current Academic Code of Honor and Procedural Appendix are the controlling sources. Notre Dame Law School has its own honor code.
What Does the Notre Dame Honor Code Pledge Require?
Before arriving on campus, each entering undergraduate signs the Honor Code pledge, acknowledging a responsibility to learn and abide by principles of intellectual honesty and academic integrity, and pledging not to participate in or tolerate academic dishonesty.
The pledge’s commitment not to tolerate academic dishonesty reflects an expectation that goes beyond a student’s own work.
Who Handles Notre Dame Honor Code Cases?
Honor Code Committees within each college or school handle alleged violations, under the Procedural Appendix.
According to the Procedural Appendix, a University Code of Honor Committee oversees the system, including helping educate the community about the Honor Code and periodically proposing revisions. Each college or school also has a Faculty Honor Code Officer, and the chair of the relevant Honor Code Committee appoints a faculty member of the committee to look into an alleged violation. The Appendix also provides for assigning an investigation to a University-level Honor Code investigator.
What Happens at a Notre Dame Honor Code Hearing?
A contested case is heard by a hearing panel drawn from the relevant college or school Honor Code Committee.
The Procedural Appendix addresses how panel members are chosen and when they must recuse themselves, including when a committee member has a conflict. The student may bring witnesses to the hearing.
Can a Student Bring a Support Person?
Yes, but the support person must be a member of the University of Notre Dame community. Under the Procedural Appendix, the support person may not ask questions at the hearing, and the chair will not reschedule a hearing because the support person is unavailable.
Outside advisors, including attorneys, can’t serve as the support person under this rule. Students can still work with an outside attorney to prepare their written materials and their presentation before a hearing.
What Outcomes Are Possible?
The Procedural Appendix sets out the available outcomes, which in the most serious cases can include separation from the university.
According to the Appendix, a student dismissed from Notre Dame may be eligible to apply for readmission, but readmission is not guaranteed. A finding can also matter beyond Notre Dame, including on graduate and professional school applications. For more, see does academic misconduct follow you to graduate school.
Common Misconceptions About Notre Dame Cases
“The honor code only covers my own work.” Notre Dame’s pledge commits students not to tolerate academic dishonesty.
“One central office decides every case.” Honor Code Committees within each college or school handle cases under the Procedural Appendix.
“My support person can speak for me.” Under the Appendix, the support person may not ask questions at the hearing.
“The hearing will be moved to fit my support person’s schedule.” The Appendix states the chair won’t reschedule based on the support person’s unavailability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles Honor Code cases at Notre Dame?
Honor Code Committees within each college or school, under the Procedural Appendix to the Academic Code of Honor.
Can I bring an attorney to a Notre Dame Honor Code hearing?
No. The support person must be a member of the University of Notre Dame community, though students can work with an attorney to prepare beforehand.
What does the Notre Dame Honor Code pledge say?
Students pledge to learn and abide by principles of intellectual honesty and academic integrity, and not to participate in or tolerate academic dishonesty.
Can a student be readmitted after dismissal from Notre Dame?
The Procedural Appendix states that a dismissed student may be eligible to apply for readmission, but readmission is not guaranteed.
Representation in Notre Dame Honor Code Cases
Every case turns on its specific facts and on the university’s policies 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 Notre Dame. At schools where outside advisors can’t attend hearings, he helps students prepare their written responses, evidence, and hearing presentations. Call 855-338-5299.