Some students who left backpacks unattended or bikes unlocked yesterday on Grounds discovered a surprise upon returning -- a sticker courtesy of the Honor Committee declaring "Congratulations! You've received a sticker because this item could have been stolen. If this weren't U.Va., would it still be here?"
Students often take the University's community of trust for granted, said Duncan Brook, Honor Committee vice-chairperson for education.
"One of the benefits of Honor at U.Va. is you can leave your stuff around Grounds without worrying it will be stolen," Brook said. "Most people forget how unusual that freedom is."
The Honor Committee is trying to remind students of this privilege through Honor Awareness Week, Brook added.
Efforts began Monday with a first-year roundtable discussion and end Thursday with a barbecue on the Lawn.
"A lot of times when Honor gets publicity, it's not positive," Brook said. "So, having Big Jim's BBQ and smiling people on the Lawn shows the other side."
Honor support officers and committee members manned a Lawn table for the past two days, answering questions from passing students and collecting anonymous feedback on the Honor system.
Brook emphasized Honor awareness as a two-way street, not only distributing information but also listening to what students think about the Honor system.
"When we tabled the Lawn, we didn't just hand out green books and cups," he said. "We made an effort to ask for feedback."
To further provide insight into the system, the Committee hosted a mock trial last night in the Newcomb hall Honor offices.
"This is why we do things like mock trials, so you can get a sense of what goes on behind the closed doors of the Honor system," Brook said as he passed out scripts to participants.
About 20 students took part in the mock trial, playing the roles of counsels, accused and jurors.
Students at the trial and around grounds had mixed reactions to Honor Awareness Week.
Attendees at the mock trial said they were enticed by offers of free pizza and ended up staying for the demonstration.
"It was an eye-opening experience," third-year Commerce student Sheetal Vashi said. Honor Awareness Week "is definitely a good idea. I know I'm not the only one who doesn't know what Honor is all about."
Second-year College student Aisha Johnson agreed.
"I'm a student at this University," she said. "In some way all of this affects me, so I need to know what's going on. Why wouldn't a student want to come to this?"
Other students expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of Honor Awareness Week.
"I don't see why a barbecue would help you learn about Honor," third-year College student Carly Nicholson said. "But it's food."
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