Why adopt an Honor Code?
While national trends in cheating on college campuses are discouraging, Donald McCabe and other leading researchers have shown that introducing honor codes or modified honor codes can reduce cheating: “Serious test cheating on campuses with honor codes is typically 1/3 to ½ lower than the level on campuses that do not have honor codes. The level of serious cheating on written assignments is 1/4 to 1/3 lower” (“CAI Research” 1). However, honor codes alone rarely bring about significant results, nor do greater surveillance and tougher penalties. Rather, campuses fare better when they develop programs combining (1) a campus ethos that reflects the importance of academic integrity to the institution, (2) clearly stated policies on academic dishonesty and an equitable process for resolving alleged cases, (3) and, perhaps most importantly, an educational program on academic integrity for faculty, students, and staff. (Kibler, “A Framework for Addressing Academic Integrity” 12) The cultural s
