Some say honor code will put a damper on cheaters
Some professors and students say any honor codes will have to be student-driven. Surveys are being distributed to gauge student’s opinions.
By Antoinette Vega
Staff Reporter

Students may have to sign an honor code before stepping foot in their classes next fall semester.

Members of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Student Government Association began counting surveys Tuesday asking students about establishing an honor code — a statement by the student body of the level of academic integrity that they agree to uphold on campus. The surveys were passed out to classes, the Health Center, The Main and other places on campus.

“The surveys will give us an idea of the amount of support we have for an honor code,” chairwoman Katie Gordon said. “If students are for starting one we will take the next steps to get it done.”

The honor code was one of the specific charges of the Academic Excellence Committee and was brought to the attention of SGA members last semester. Both organizations agree that the honor code should be student initiated.

Derek Kompare, chairman of the Academic Excellence Committee of the Faculty Senate, said the committee decided in its final report last semester not to pursue an honor code but to support students if they wanted one.

“Since an honor code will have to be enforced by students, it is only right that they start and promote it,” he said. “In any kind of situation, students are more likely to support something started by their peers than if forced to from above.”

Gordon, a senior electrical engineer major, said an honor code that is started by students will be taken more seriously.

“Students will respect an honor code more if it is their decision to start one, rather than if they were forced to follow one by the faculty,” she said.

Provost William Koehler said establishing an honor code has been discussed several times in his 21 years here. He said an honor code, no matter who initiates one, will only work if students are willing to follow it regardless of the possible consequences.

“An honor code forces students to get involved in someone else’s business,” he said. “If a student sees someone cheating they have to report it. Many students will not want to do this.

“Students need to be prepared to sit on a jury and, if necessary, expel one of their peers. It is difficult to come to grips with ruining someone’s permanent record.”

The honor code in question would not be the first one on campus. The master of business administration program has been abiding by an honor code for the past two years.

Charles Greer, associate dean of the graduate school, said students drafted the honor code after a cheating incident in the program. He said the code has been violated only once since its establishment. The honor committee consists of first and second year students, the director of the MBA program and a faculty member.

He said an honor code would make students more serious about their academics and could enhance TCU’s reputation.

“Honor codes are prevalent amongst private schools and TCU is lacking when compared,” he said. “We want to attract high caliber people to the university and those people are concerned about ethics and integrity outlined in an honor code.”

Rice University and Southern Methodist University currently follow honor codes and an honor council decides the penalties if it is broken.

James Beasley, a junior Latin American studies major, said students will cheat even if a student signs a document agreeing not to do it.

“Signing an honor code would be like promising not to do drugs by signing the card during Red Ribbon Week,” he said. “After signing, students still do drugs and would still cheat after signing an honor code.”

Don Mills, vice chancellor for student affairs, said an honor code complements the mission statement, which is focused on establishing ethical leaders.

“The majority of what people do is guided by their own ethical code of conduct,” he said. “Before an honor code is established, students must change. Academics and academic integrity must be considered a priority.”

Antoinette Vega