Faculty Resources - Should Truman Have an Honor Code?

What is an Honor Code?

Honor Codes involve three things: a shared culture of integrity, specific commitment by individuals to integrity, and enforcement that is clear, centralized, and rigorous.

 

How do they work? 
They begin with proper orientation to a University culture that embraces honor and integrity. There is a constant reaffirmation to the central values of the Honor Code through publications, presentations, and reprinting of the Code on exams, projects and papers. All members of the learning community are expected to look for and report acts of dishonesty. If an infraction occurs, there is an immediate referral to an honor board that conducts an investigation of the allegations and assigns appropriate sanctions.

Why should we want one? 

Part of the Truman State University Mission Statement says we are to strive to  “cultivate in [our] students: intellectual integrity, tolerance of difference and diversity, informed ethical values, and courageous aspiration toward the best for oneself, one's family, one's society, and the world.” One way that we can cultivate integrity and ethical values is through developing and reaffirming a set of principles, values and expectations known as an Honor Code. 
Research shows that students at institutions with honor codes cheat less often and their character develops from the expectation of integrity. Additionally, many feel that an Honor Code is a hallmark of a liberal arts and sciences university.

How do we get one? 

Honor codes are a function of a culture that embraces integrity and strives to teach values. Cultures do not change overnight and the process to develop a Code at Truman will take time and effort by all members of the learning community. Faculty, staff and students will have a role to play in shaping our culture and developing our set of values.

If you are interested in learning more about Honor Codes or research regarding academic integrity, please check out:

http://www.academicintegrity.org/cai_research.asp  

* From Academic Integrity Newsletter September/October 2001, conduct.truman.edu