Colleges With Enforced Honor Codes

kj52
Fri, 05 May 2006 17:55:51 +0000

The honor code at Davidson is quite well enforced, to the extent that the vast majority of our final exams are self-scheduled and self-proctered. Further, many exams throughout the semester are take-home, closed book, and we “pledge” that we followed the honor code and the rules set by the professor. I have never taken a proctored test here–even with in-class timed tests, the professor usually leaves the room and goes to his office, then comes back to collect the exams at the end.

Violations do occur, and they are penalized quite harshly by the honor council, usually at least a 1-2 semester suspension. Though a few petty crimes have been reported this semester (ie stealing tea bags from the union), there is very little major theft. My roommate and I leave our door unlocked all the time, except at night, with our computers and things in the room, and no one has ever disturbed them. This is something lots of people do here–doors are frequently left open/unlocked. I have also left my Ipod and computer in the library for an hour or more on a table with my books and no one has ever touched them. It’s not uncommon to see a sign saying money was found here and who to contact if you lost it, or to read ads in the crier (daily email sent to all students) saying someone found money, an ipod, jackets, etc and who to email if it is yours.

Bottom line, though there are problems, just like everywhere else, the Honor Code is taken very seriously at Davidson, and is part of all aspects of life.