Honor Court

The hallmark of a VMI education is the Honor System. It states that a cadet will not lie cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do. The Honor System is operated and enforced by cadets.

Every member of the VMI community is responsible for reporting breaches of the Honor Code to the Honor Court, in which student prosecutors investigate each offense. If the evidence supports the accusation, the Honor Court tries the accused, with the President of the Court presiding and a randomly selected panel of cadets acting as a jury. The accused cadet is permitted counsel of his choice. If the accused is found guilty by the Honor Court, there is only one penalty – dismissal from the Institute. The recommendation of the Honor Court for dismissal of a cadet for a proven breach of the Code is reviewed, approved and executed by the Superintendent.