An Analysis of the GMU Honor Code
Corinna Cohn
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Opinion
I broke the LRWA rules on Project 3. One of the instructions read, "Do not discuss the problem with your classmates." After the assignment was due, after I had lost any ability to affect the graded product, I talked about the problem with other students. I wasn't trying to circumvent the rules, or cheat, or gain any unfair advantage; it is only because I erroneously believed the instructions expired after the assignment's due date. I transgressed the rules solely because I did not understand them. I have not reported my infraction to the Honor Committee. But now, if others are aware of my violation, are they obligated to report it?
Back up just a minute. Violating the LRWA rules does not necessarily violate the Honor Code. For instance, I failed to add page numbers to one project. Professor Suzette Hurley, Director of Legal Writing, clarified that the LRWA rules and the Honor Code are distinct entities, but some actions could violate both. I presented my situation to her and asked her opinion. She informed me that it was for the Honor Committee to decide if a student's actions constitute a violation of the Honor Code. But it was up to me to report on myself to get to the committee.
Several weeks before, Prof. Hurley had delivered an epic lecture to each first year section of LRWA. According to other students, Prof. Hurley's delivery was so passionate that the audience was struck to its core. By the time she delivered the lecture to my afternoon section, the speech was attenuated but stern. Apparently one or more students had misrepresented technical problems delivering their assignments on time. I had not done anything so blatant, but I started worrying more and more about violating the rules of Project 3. The Honor Code's preamble purports to set "minimum standards for student conduct," but the document is intentionally vague about what the standards are. None of the words "lie, cheat or steal" are ever defined. Nor is "frivolous" defined. The crux of the matter is that if I turned myself in I would be on the hook for either violating the honor code, or for filing a frivolous complaint.
Back up just a minute. Violating the LRWA rules does not necessarily violate the Honor Code. For instance, I failed to add page numbers to one project. Professor Suzette Hurley, Director of Legal Writing, clarified that the LRWA rules and the Honor Code are distinct entities, but some actions could violate both. I presented my situation to her and asked her opinion. She informed me that it was for the Honor Committee to decide if a student's actions constitute a violation of the Honor Code. But it was up to me to report on myself to get to the committee.
Several weeks before, Prof. Hurley had delivered an epic lecture to each first year section of LRWA. According to other students, Prof. Hurley's delivery was so passionate that the audience was struck to its core. By the time she delivered the lecture to my afternoon section, the speech was attenuated but stern. Apparently one or more students had misrepresented technical problems delivering their assignments on time. I had not done anything so blatant, but I started worrying more and more about violating the rules of Project 3. The Honor Code's preamble purports to set "minimum standards for student conduct," but the document is intentionally vague about what the standards are. None of the words "lie, cheat or steal" are ever defined. Nor is "frivolous" defined. The crux of the matter is that if I turned myself in I would be on the hook for either violating the honor code, or for filing a frivolous complaint.
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Custom written essay
posted 11/27/09 @ 6:17 PM EST
It is a very interesting article! Thanks!
Research Papers
posted 1/26/10 @ 10:13 AM EST
Honor code nowadays? Oh my...
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