Teachers - Do You Use an Honor Pledge?

Image source: Virginia Magazine

WHen I was in graduate school at the University of Virginia, I adhered to a strict university-wide honor pledge. Every paper I wrote included a pledge, signed by yours truly, promising that my work was my own. For the undergraduates especially, this pledge serves as the cornerstone of academic life on grounds (for the uninitiated, grounds means campus to Wahoos). So, with pledge affixed, students are promising, on their honor, not to cheat. This means one can take their exams pretty much anywhere. I took my language mastery exam in my car, for example, where it was quiet.

The honor pledge reads as follows: “On my honor as a student, I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment/exam.” Back in the day, those who violated this pledge and cheated anyway were tried before a student-run court and if found guilty, expelled. Yup - consequences. These days, as I understand things, the honor system is in a state of flux, and governing bodies are considering less harsh penalties depending on the nature of the infraction. Still - violations yield consequences.

I employ an honor pledge for my students. As a proud traditionalist, I use the UVA pledge pretty much word-for-word, though I have added “unauthorized” before aid, understanding that my students have access to educational support systems, which I allow. Still, all work has to be their own - and they have to pledge to adhering to my very strict rules. If I catch them cheating, they get a zero on the assignment. Harsh? Maybe - but I am teaching them about virtue, personal accountability, and that actions have consequences.

So a question for teachers: do you use a similar approach in your classrooms? I would love to hear from you explain why or why not…and discuss the strengths and weaknesses or such an approach.

With compliments,

Keith