In the age of technology, the Honor Committee is trying to bring itself up to 21st Century standards. The Committee hopes to revamp the honor video, put it on CD-ROM and overhaul its Web site by the spring of this year.
"The themes and script of the current video aren't out-dated, but some scenes and background" are noticeably old and even laughable, Committee Chairman Thomas Hall said. For example, the video, which was produced in 1985, shows DOS running on computers in some scenes, Hall said.
Some of the hairstyles and clothes also look dated and "we don't want students paying attention to that as opposed to what people are saying," Vice Chair for Education Katie Gillespie said.
The video probably will be filmed later this semester and the Committee hopes to have it finished by April, Hall said.
As well as the new filming, the Committee plans to put the video on an interactive CD-ROM. The CD will include a mock honor case, a quiz game and basic information like that contained in the honor "greenbook," which the Committee passes out to all first-year students.
Students will be able to participate in the mock trial, probably playing the part of an Honor Committee member, Gillespie said.
It will be somewhat like a "Choose-Your-Own-Adventure" book, where students make decisions in the case, Hall said.
Honor trials are shrouded in mystery and many students have questions about what happens behind the closed doors of the Newcomb Hall trial room, Gillespie said.
"We hope this will remove some of the mystery," Hall said.
"We're trying to make it as exciting as possible," Gillespie said. "The interaction is just incredible" and a lot of fun, she added.
The Committee probably also will put the new video online in its digital format.
The revamped honor Web site will have new links, including contact information about frequently asked questions and clarification as to what constitutes an honor offense.
The site, which is being designed free of charge by fourth-year College student Chris Husser, also will have better graphics.
"We're hoping the Web page will be used a little more" once it is redesigned, Hall said.
The honor Web site is the first place most people turn if they have questions about the system or are worried they may have committed an offense, Hall said. "We want to make commonly used information more available," he added.
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