Yes, the General Judiciary guidelines state that no penalty may be enacted that was not determined by the appropriate judiciary body. There are at least two reasons for this guideline; first, it protects students suspected of an academic violation by giving them a hearing; second, repeat offenders can only be apprehended if they are brought before General Judiciary for each offense. “No penalty is to be invoked for any offense justifiable under College regulations unless the case has been brought before, and the sentence determined by, the appropriate judicial body. The College shall initiate the judicial proceedings when academic honesty or College regulations have been violated, or when the offense is such as to impair the educational function or social and moral conventions or the institution.” (General Judiciary Guidelines and Procedures, Section IV B.)

If I see plagiarism, cheating, etc., should I handle it on my own?

No. Academic cases should always be brought up at General Judiciary, where they can be handled in an open manner.