Honor has been a term synonymous with the University since 1842, when the Honor Code first was established. Ever since, an "honor code culture," in which students govern themselves, has developed at the University, but at other universities of similar stature this culture still is in its infancy.
At Duke University, a long-standing honor code is being retooled to encompass an "honor code culture."
A new requirement in the honor code for the current academic year requires students to turn in their classmates if they witness cheating. According to Duke's revised honor code, students should "give prompt written notification to the appropriate faculty member ... when [students] observe academic dishonesty in any course."
The University had a similar policy in place until 1989, but no such mandatory reporting clause currently exists. A non-toleration clause could be re-introduced based on student interest, according to Honor Committee Chair Carey Mignerey.
Mignerey said the lack of administrative oversight and a single sanction system are what differentiate the University's honor code from others.
"Student self-governance and the single-sanction system, along with the community of trust, are probably the most unique characteristics of the Honor system at the University," he said.
To promote an honor code culture, Mignerey said he believes the Committee's responsibilities are to preserve the code and to educate students, faculty and staff about it.
Diane Waryold, Duke honor advisor and executive director of the Center for Academic Integrity, a non-profit organization at Duke University, said she views an "honor code culture" as comprised of more student trust aspects.
"There are three components to an honor code culture: non-proctored exams, pure student governance and mandatory reporting of violations," she said.
Her view is not completely adopted by either university, as Duke does not give non-proctored exams and the University currently does not have a mandatory reporting clause.
Using the example of Duke, Waryold posited that an "honor code culture" was fostered during freshman orientation through meetings and discussion. However, one important change that has occurred this year at Duke is with the faculty.
"Before, students told us that they cheated [in part] because faculty did not care and let it go by," Waryold said. "Now every professor mentions the honor code on [his or her] syllabus."
Duke Honor Council President Rob McDonald said a mandatory reporting clause was passed by the student government and pushed by the administration. Students also passed the resolution in an informal vote last year, but McDonald insisted there was not a particular incident that prompted it.
"The two main advantages to a non-toleration clause are the opportunity to decide what kind of community you want and giving more power to the honor code," he said.
Students here said they are not convinced that the University should instate a mandatory reporting clause.
Third-year College student Jen Ipzkoff said she believes the clause already is implicitly included in the Honor system.
"Someone who witnesses an Honor violation did not commit it," she said.
Mignerey said there has been more interest in a non-toleration clause in the last few months than before, possibly because of Duke. However, no student petition has been filed since the clause was removed in 1989.
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