Revitalizing an Existing Honor Code Program
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Revitalizing an Existing Honor Code Program Pauline Melgoza & Jane Smith
Published online: 13 August 2007 # Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2007
Abstract This article addresses academic integrity initiatives at a large research university. The article explains the rationale for the creation of the honor system office and its evolution to date. Data collected from academic violation cases during the program’s first two years are included. Key words academic integrity . academic integrity initiatives . honor code . honor system . academic misconduct This article addresses the revision, enhancement, and implementation of academic integrity standards at a large public research university. In the past decade, Texas A&M University found that its existing honor code was no longer effective in responding to the rising acts of academic dishonesty on campus. We describe the history of the University’s established honor code, the data that led to its revision, and the creation of the Honor System Office. The evolution of the Honor System Office is illustrated by data collected from academic violation cases during the program’s first two years. The issue of academic integrity has been an ongoing concern among institutions of higher education for several decades. Studies reveal a continuing inclination on the part of students to cheat on tests and assignments (Bowers 1964; McCabe and Trevino 1993; Stern and Havlicek 1986). In June 2005, the Center for Academic Integrity (http://academi cintegrity.org) reported that as many as 70% of students engaged in some form of cheating during their academic career. Moreover, McCabe and Bowers (1994) found that some forms Pauline Melgoza is Assistant Professor and Physical Sciences Librarian at Texas A&M University. She received her B.S. and her M.S. from Texas A&M University and her MLIS from the University of North Texas. She was a member of the Academic Integrity Team and served two years on the Honor Council of the Aggie Honor System Office. Jane Smith is Assistant Professor and Education Reference Librarian at Texas A&M University. She received her B.S. from the University of Texas at Austin and her MLIS from Texas Woman’s University. Interests include information literacy, bibliographic instruction and faculty outreach.
P. Melgoza (*) : J. Smith Evans Library, Texas A & M University, 5000 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA e-mail: [email protected] J. Smith e-mail: [email protected]
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Innov High Educ (2008) 32:209–219
of cheating have increased; serious test cheating and unauthorized collaboration on assignments have risen significantly over the past thirty years. In response, schools have searched for the most effective ways to educate students about academic integrity and to respond to acts of academic misconduct. McCabe’s research with students at public and private institutions of higher education showed that honor codes, either traditional or modified, are successful in reducing the level of cheating on campus. Honor codes are most effective when combined
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