Dismissal Information
 

There is no such thing as automatic dismissal from NJHS. A member is never automatically dismissed for failing to maintain standards. A written notification and pre-dismissal hearing will be given and must be conducted by the Faculty Council to dismiss a member. Members should understand fully that they are subject to dismissal if they do not maintain the standards of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and character that were used as a basis for their selection. They will also be informed that they are allowed limited warnings during their membership, but that in the case of a flagrant violation of school rules or civil laws, a warning is not required for dismissal but  hearing will still be held. the hearing is identified in the Constitution as a right of membership, is guaranteed as "due process" as identified by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and requires the chapter to notify the member of the action being contemplated, the reasons for the action, the date and time of the hearing, and the opportunity for the member to respond either in writing or orally. A student who is dismissed or who resigns is never again eligible for membership in NJHS.

The chapter bylaws detail of the dismissal process can be found in the NJHS Constitution and Bylaws.

For each dismissal is may be warranted, the member is allowed to present his or her case at a pre-dismissal hearing before the Faculty Council. The Faculty Council should investigated thoroughly before any action is taken. If the council determines that the facts warrant consideration of dismissal, the member should be notified in writing of the violation, the possibility of dismissal, and the need for scheduling a hearing with the Faculty Council. A hearing should then be scheduled. The member will be allowed to appear before the Faculty Council and explain the situation. A parent/guardian may be present with the member, however it should be noted that the primary focus of the hearing is to allow the member to present his or her case.

If a member is dismissed, written noticed of the decision will be sent to the member, his or her parents, and the principal. The member must then surrender the NJHS emblem and membership card to the chapter adviser. If the member is unwilling to do this, the matter will be treated as a school disciplinary matter. The dismissed member may appeal the decision of the Faculty Council, under the local school district's policies governing disciplinary appeals in the school district following the normal channels for an appeals process.

Those students who resign or dismissed from the NJHS will never again be eligible for membership or its benefits. Resignation from the NJHS should involve the submission of a written statement by the resigning member that is dated and signed by both the student and his/her parent(s) or guardian. Verbal resignations are insufficient to end membership. Students contemplating resignation should be informed of the consequences of their resignation as stated at the beginning of this section.

Students who resign or are dismissed from NJHS are not automatically excluded from membership in National Honors Society (NHS) when they reach high school In fact, whether a student was or was not a member of NJHS should not be a factor when such students become candidates for NHS at the high school.