How to use this book

This handbook is intended to inform members of the Caltech community about the philosophy and operation of the Honor System as it pertains to graduate students. Some sections are necessary for first-time readers; others are important to persons who will actually be participating in an Honor System case. As a reader, your ``need to know'' will determine which sections of the booklet sustain your interest. Suggested guidelines for use of this handbook are listed below.

1. If you are a first-time reader, begin with the Introduction and read through to the end of Reporting a Suspected Violation. Then tackle Appendix C, as it is an essential introduction to the ground rules for homework, examinations, and papers.
2. If you are to write a term paper for any class here at Caltech, then add Appendix B, Examples of Plagiarism, to the list of recommended reading.
3. If you are a teaching assistant, carefully scrutinize Appendix C, and be aware that suspected undergraduate violations should be reported to the ASCIT Vice-President, who is Chairman of the Board of Control (boc-chair@ugcs). Report possible graduate violations to the Chairman of the Graduate Review Board (grbchair@its).
4. If you are a member of the Graduate Review Board, then you should thoroughly familiarize yourself with Operations and Appendix A, GSC By-Laws, in addition to the materials mentioned above.
5. If you are to participate in an Honor System case, as a witness, defendant, or GRB member, then be sure that you completely understand your rights, privileges, and obligations, as spelled out in Operations and Appendix A.
6. If you have a grievance against a Caltech individual or organization which does not fall under the authority of the GRB or the BOC, then read the first part of Appendix D, Grievance Committee Procedures, and ask the Institute Human Relations Advisor or the Vice-President for Student Affairs for assistance in resolving your complaint.
7. When in doubt, ask yourself, ``Will my actions result in the taking of unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community?'' Most of the time, the answer should be obvious. If you are unsure of the answer, then ask for assistance! Members of the Graduate Review Board are willing to serve as sources of information regarding the Honor System. We would rather prevent Honor System cases than try them.