Hood students are held to high standards of honesty and responsibility in all personal and academic matters. The student body, through the mechanism of student government, has always played a significant role in preserving academic integrity on campus, promoting respect for others, and exercising judicial action to resolve alleged violations of College policy. The established honor system seeks to encourage and promote a trustful relationship among all members of the campus community; to offer students the opportunity to exercise responsibilities and shared governance on campus; and to make students more aware of their personal principles of honor.
The academic honor code obliges students to act ethically and respect the rights of others in academic life. The origins of this system trace back to 1915, when the Student Government Association first adopted an honor pledge for use in midterm exams.
Since that time, the text of that statement, required to be included on all undergraduate assignments, has changed little: “I pledge that I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment.”
A student handbook, printed and distributed at the beginning of each academic year, details the expectations of all students in both following the rules and reporting any observed violations of those rules. As part of the opening convocation ceremony each fall, new undergraduate students pledge to uphold the academic honor code during the duration of their enrollment at Hood. Faculty and staff members also bear responsibility for reinforcing the philosophy behind the honor system.
The ideals of integrity, accountability, and respect are lessons well learned by generations of alumni, who still recognize and appreciate what the honor code contributes to the honest, welcoming, and meaningful environment the College strives to achieve.
