Letter from the Honor Board

Dear Students,

Welcome to the College of Charleston! We are excited that you chose the College of Charleston as the
place to further your education.

As members of the Honor Board, we would like to remind you that the primary motive for attending college is to obtain an education that will aid you in your search for a successful future. The Honor Board is made up of students, just like you, with the same demands on our time, the same desire to have fun, and the potential to make the same mistakes you make. We are not here just to adjudicate cases; we know that circumstances and poor judgment affect us all, and we will help you. If you transgress these rules, we will treat you with fairness, respect, and understanding, but we will not allow you to harm yourself or our community. With over 150 hours per week outside of the classroom of your own free time, we ask you to be responsible adults and to make sound decisions. We invite you to get to know the faculty and staff members that help make up this college community so that you not only learn from and with them, but feel able to seek their guidance and wisdom during trying times. Talk to them, they listen; ask them questions, they answer; show them respect, but most importantly, keep their trust.

Most of the academic cases that are presented before the Honor Board could have been avoided if the students had only communicated their troubles to the professor ahead of time. Faculty members are here to help you; do not be afraid of them. On the other hand, most of our non-academic cases occur because individuals do not know their tolerance for alcohol or understand that this campus and city take a serious stance against illegal substances. We understand that for many of the freshmen, this is your first year away from home and a time of experimentation. Be careful of your actions, because they have consequences. You are no longer in high school and will not be treated like you are. You will be held accountable for your actions like adults.

Whether you are beginning or continuing your studies here, we wish you a successful endeavor to gain knowledge, experience, and friendships while surrounded by honest learning and civil behavior. Your time at the College of Charleston should be some of the best years of your lives; so remember to have fun - responsibly.

Please consider joining the Honor Board. We are always looking for new members.

Sincerely,

The Honor Board