Honor Code Research Paper

The Importance and Relevance of an Academic Honor Code The Honor Code has always been and is an important and relevant time honored tradition among private universities and college preparatory schools. Today many public institutions are also adopting and implementing their own honor code systems. Its popularity is growing all over the country as more and more institutions become aware of an honor code’s value within the educational community. Honor codes create a sense of responsibility, integrity and trust among the student body which in turn makes it distasteful and unacceptable to lie, cheat and steal. For an honor code to work it has to become embedded into the schools culture. If fear of punishment is the only reason the honor code …show more content…
Each student holds a moral obligation to police himself and his classmates. In 1921 the student body at Skidmore College requested to adopt an Honor Code in order to promote a better learning environment. Every new student entering the college takes the following oath "I hereby accept membership in the Skidmore College community and, with full realization of the responsibilities inherent in membership, do agree to adhere to honesty and integrity in all relationships, to be considerate of the rights of others, and to abide by the College regulations (skidmore.edu/student_handbook/honor-code.php). As part of their on going commitment to their honor code all students at Skidmore write and sign the following statement, "I have not witnessed any wrongdoing, nor have I personally violated any conditions of the Skidmore Honor Code while taking this examination" (skidmore.edu/student_handbook/honor-code.php). The repercussion for violating the honor code varies by severity and institution. It can be as simple as a sanction to expulsion. Such penalties are determined by a student council and members of the administration. There is absolutely no need to fear an academic honor code. It is very simple to avoid honor code violations and sanctions. I believe Spike Lee said it best — just “do the right

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