2008 Woodie Awards
Honor Statement: Opportunity to Spark Positive Change
The SGA Honor Statement Working Group
Issue date: 2/9/07 Section: Opinions
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This semester students will have the opportunity to sign an academic Honor Statement. If two-thirds of the students currently enrolled (including those abroad) choose to sign the document, the Honor Statement will be considered ratified.
What is the Honor Statement? It is a voluntary, non-binding statement of academic integrity. It was produced by the SGA's Honor Statement working group and it is the result of many conversations and compromises, all seeking to create a document that will spark a positive change in the campus's academic climate. It seeks to provide an opportunity for students to take personal responsibility for their academic conduct and to make a statement of their expectations for the community.
What it is NOT: It is not an honor code with mandated reporting (i.e. if you see someone looking around during a test, you are not obligated to report their wandering eyes). It is not a policy change-you cannot get into any more trouble for cheating if you sign this than you would otherwise. Most importantly, it is not a creation of the administrators or faculty of Colby. This has been produced for students, by students.
The question then becomes, "Why sign this?" Many have pointed out that the college already has an academic policy. The difference between that policy and the Honor Statement, though, is that Colby students will now have the opportunity to willingly sign a statement of integrity as opposed to just tacitly being a part of a college policy. How many people have actually read the academic policy? We have found that most people will read a document that they will be signing and will more seriously consider the text than if it is simply another page in the Student Handbook.
We can only gain as a community by signing this document. It is voluntary and your name will be kept in a closed record. If two-thirds sign the document, the SGA will make an announcement and the Honor Statement will be something that all students in the future will have the option to sign, but it will never require two-third participation again. This is our opportunity to make a difference in the academic climate at Colby and to start something positive for the school.
Look for your Hall President to provide the Honor Statement, and to hold a short information session discussing it, within the next week or so. If you have any questions or if you would like to see a copy of the Honor Statement before your Hall President provides you with one, please contact the SGA office at sga@colby.edu.
What is the Honor Statement? It is a voluntary, non-binding statement of academic integrity. It was produced by the SGA's Honor Statement working group and it is the result of many conversations and compromises, all seeking to create a document that will spark a positive change in the campus's academic climate. It seeks to provide an opportunity for students to take personal responsibility for their academic conduct and to make a statement of their expectations for the community.
What it is NOT: It is not an honor code with mandated reporting (i.e. if you see someone looking around during a test, you are not obligated to report their wandering eyes). It is not a policy change-you cannot get into any more trouble for cheating if you sign this than you would otherwise. Most importantly, it is not a creation of the administrators or faculty of Colby. This has been produced for students, by students.
The question then becomes, "Why sign this?" Many have pointed out that the college already has an academic policy. The difference between that policy and the Honor Statement, though, is that Colby students will now have the opportunity to willingly sign a statement of integrity as opposed to just tacitly being a part of a college policy. How many people have actually read the academic policy? We have found that most people will read a document that they will be signing and will more seriously consider the text than if it is simply another page in the Student Handbook.
We can only gain as a community by signing this document. It is voluntary and your name will be kept in a closed record. If two-thirds sign the document, the SGA will make an announcement and the Honor Statement will be something that all students in the future will have the option to sign, but it will never require two-third participation again. This is our opportunity to make a difference in the academic climate at Colby and to start something positive for the school.
Look for your Hall President to provide the Honor Statement, and to hold a short information session discussing it, within the next week or so. If you have any questions or if you would like to see a copy of the Honor Statement before your Hall President provides you with one, please contact the SGA office at sga@colby.edu.
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