Questions and answers about the Honor Code (and more)

Why has Università Bocconi provided an Honor Code for its community?
To protect, defend and support its values: independence, ethics, transparency, freedom of expression, equity, solidarity and valuing diversity, sustaining merit and individual potential, professionalism and standards.

What is the task of the Honor Code?
To make transparent and promote respecting the rules of conduct and penalty procedures put in place to defend the values and interests of the Bocconi community which are, in large part, already currently provided for in Università Bocconi and national university regulations.

Why does Università Bocconi ask its students to be "honest"?
The University expects its students to be committed and achieve results honestly: without cheating, without shortcuts and by concentrating on their own work. All rules, procedures and sanctions in this area are necessary in creating a code for these few concepts, which in turn refer to ethics, honesty, individual dignity and a shared common sense.

What harm could result from someone violating the rules of the Honor Code?
Failing to respect the rules and values with deliberate negative conduct or conduct caused by superficiality will result in harm not only to the individual and the people directly involved, but also for Università Bocconi as a whole and the community surrounding it. Bocconi's reputation in fact directly reflects upon the reputation of the Bocconi community, students, faculty and alumni working in international and Italian society at all levels.

What value for a future career does an "honest" student conduct have?
It is of great value. When an exam is passed using one's own strengths and abilities and when a written paper is well-documented and original, you grow in preparation, merit and pride. You risk failure if you face the increasingly competitive job market without these characteristics. Being honest at university is the best way to go. It's best for your future career, for your personal reputation and for the University's reputation.

What could happen if the University's teaching, study, research and administrative activities are hindered?
Violating the regulations adopted by the University, faculty and staff for the execution of these activities will result in a collective harm as it jeopardizes their proper execution. Verification of these violations will result in a disciplinary procedure and a sanction.

Can documents be consulted or IT tools be used during exams?
Unless expressly allowed by faculty, consulting sources, documents or other people or using IT, electronic, mobile phone tools and other tools during an exam is a serious violation of the Honor Code. Verification of these violations will result in a disciplinary procedure and a sanction.

Is passing an exam with the help of illicit material dishonest or praiseworthy?
Copying from other students during an exam, having another person take an exam for you, and using illicit documents and sources with electronic means are among the violations that the University is committed to verifying and sanctioning. Even if the perpetrator of the violation succeeds in not being discovered, these episodes represent serious examples of lack of ethic sense and dishonesty.

Why are copyrights so protected?
Original works have creative legitimacy that is not solely economic. Even from a moral point of view it is important to stress that taking and using original ideas that belong to others for your own use is the same as true theft, a dishonest act that should be severely discouraged and punished.

Can passages from books, essays or the internet be used or cited?
Only if the passages are quoted in full (with a limited size), are written exactly as they appear using quotation marks and if the source is cited. Citations should serve only to reinforce the personal and original text, but not to make up the thesis itself.

What does Bocconi do to combat plagiarism?
Università Bocconi discourages plagiarism in all forms and offers students a series of tools for making the most of their work and ideas. Among other things, an application that provides all faculty members with a report regarding the presence and percentage of copyright violations (partial or full copying of material) within a written paper or final paper is in use.

When studying with classmates, can we exchange notes?
It's always useful to exchange ideas with classmates in order to better understand the concepts of a subject. But it's also important to resist the temptation to use the work of others. Each student should aim to do his or her part, in proportion with the work of the other members of the group. When in doubt, the best idea is to consult the faculty member of the course.

Should answers be given to friends who are having trouble during an exam?
Absolutely not. Exams are times for individual assessment. Suggesting answers to others could result in disciplinary sanctions for both parties. In addition, classmates who have worked hard and have the right to achieve appropriate results for their preparation and their abilities and interest are also hurt.

If a student notices that an exam is not carried out according to regulations, who should be contacted?
Università Bocconi has established the position of Student Ombudsman, who has the task of collecting reports regarding the violation of rules and expressing an assessment of the submitted issue, after a cross-examination.

Can anonymous reports be made?
No, reports to the Ombudsman may not be anonymous, but students are guaranteed full protection regarding their privacy.

What sanctions are provided for when a violation of the Honor Code has been verified?
Sanctions are the following: warning; temporary suspension from one or more courses; suspension from one or more exams for one of the two sessions; temporary expulsion from the University with the consequent loss of exam sessions. The seriousness of the sanction will be adjusted according to the seriousness of the violation.

Can a sanction jeopardize a student's academic career?
Sanctions, especially those connected to serious violations, will greatly influence the student's career. In fact, all disciplinary sanctions are recorded and will consequently be written up on dismissal papers and student career recognition documents when determining the student's final grade. Disciplinary sanctions greater than a warning will also result in forfeiture of benefits (e.g. scholarships, housing, etc.) for the right to study.

What is the Disciplinary Commission and what does it do?
The Disciplinary Commission receives reports of violations and carries out tasks of oversight, collecting statements from the interested party and establishing proposed measures related to reports (filing/adoption of disciplinary measures). Proposals are then sent to the Rector and any sanctions are deliberated by the Faculty Council.

What is the relationship between the Disciplinary Commission and the Student Ombudsman in the area of disciplinary measures?
A request for assistance from the Student Ombudsman will not defer any disciplinary measures in progress concerning students.

Who decides on sanctions?
Warnings are decided by the Rector. Suspension from courses, suspension from exams and temporary expulsion are under the jurisdiction of the Faculty Council.

Are students involved in disciplinary measures informed of the situation and can they defend themselves?
Other than the case of a warning, violations are formally disputed with the student with a letter sent by registered mail with notice of receipt to his or her residence or elected address. The dispute will contain a summary description of the facts. The student will be informed of the disciplinary procedure he or she has been charged with before the date fixed for the meeting of the Faculty Council and may request to be heard by the Faculty Council or send a written brief.