University of Virginia Library

Poll Analysis Demonstrates
Approval Of Honor System

A preliminary analysis of the Honor System
Poll questionnaire found that "most significantly,
poll respondents indicated a nearly unanimous
endorsement of an honor system at the
University."

Last year the Honor Committee mailed the
"Honor System Poll Questionnaire" to eleven
hundred randomly selected students, ten
percent of the total University, total response
of seventy percent, or 762 students, of those
polled was received by the Honor Committee.

The purpose of the poll was to "review the
research study techniques, summarize key
findings from the actual survey responses, and
outline the next steps which the Honor
Committee plans to take regarding the poll."

Complete Report

Although a complete analysis will not be
available until late October, the preliminary
report did summarize the overall results for the
total sample.

The report found that "initial comparison
of actual University student enrollment during
the 1970-71 term with the profile of
respondents to the Questionnaire show the
study to be very representative of the
University student community.

For first, third, and fourth year
undergraduates the percentage of poll
respondents equalled the percentage of actual
enrollment. The poll respondents varied only as
much as three percent of the actual enrollment
for the second year.

Only for first, and second year graduates did
the percentage fluctuate from eleven percent of
poll respondents while they accounted for only
four percent of the total enrollment. Only in
the Law and Medical Schools did the
percentages equal.

Favorable Response

Ninety-three percent of the poll respondents
answered yes to "Do you think an honor
system, either similar to the one now present or
different from it, has a place in the
University?" Four percent answered no and
three percent had no opinion.

The survey also revealed that "a majority of
respondents indicated their support of the
present scope of the Honor System (lying,
cheating, and stealing), with a significant
number (39%) indicating a preference to
enlarge the scope to include lying for liquor."

Scope

Six percent felt that the scope of the Honor
System should be just cheating; eight percent,
just cheating and stealing, thirty-one percent,
cheating, stealing, and lying except lying for
liquor; thirty-nine percent, cheating, stealing,
and lying, including lying for liquor. Four
percent had no opinion and eleven percent
suggested other boundaries.

On another question, the report found that
"a majority of respondents favored the
geographical boundaries of the Honor System."
Four percent felt that the classroom should be
the geographical boundaries; twenty percent,
the classroom and the University community
(defined as all relations between students and
other students, faculty and
administrators); eight percent, the classroom,
University community, and the City of
Charlottesville, thirty-nine percent, the class
room, University community, Charlottesville,
Albemarle County, and anywhere a student is
recognized as a student from the University.

Boundaries

Another twenty-four percent felt that there
should be no geographical boundaries to the
Honor System, while five percent had other
suggestions.

The analysis also stated that "half of the
student respondents felt the Honor System had
become less effective since they first entered
the University, but those same students who
felt it less effective indicated no real consensus
on reasons why."

Fifty-one percent felt it had become less
effective; three percent, more effective; thirty
percent, no change; and sixteen percent, no
opinion.

In a secondary question asked of those who
thought it had become less effective, most
respondents wrote their own ideas which
according to the preliminary report will be
analyzed later.

The report found that "a definite
majority of the students indicated they believe
that a growth in the University will weaken the
effectiveness of the Honor System."

One percent felt that it would become more
effective; fifty-nine percent, less effective;
thirty-one percent, the effectiveness should not
change as the University grows; four percent,
no opinion; and five percent had other ideas.

"According to poll respondents, if the
Honor System were to be revised, a significant
number (44%) indicated that they preferred to
change the penalty."

Permanent Dismissal

"However, elsewhere in the questionnaire an
overwhelming majority of respondents (98%)
desired to retain permanent dismissal
somewhere in the Honor System for violations
thereof."

Forty-four percent indicated that if the
Honor System were to be changed they would
change the penalty; six percent, the pledge; ten
percent, the geographical boundaries; fourteen
percent, the scope; fourteen percent, the
students' ability to influence change; and ten
percent had some other ideas.

Graduated Penalties

Twenty-five percent indicated that
permanent dismissal from the University should
result after the first conviction; thirteen
percent, permanent dismissal from the
University after the second conviction and a
lesser degree of penalty after the first offense;
fifty-one percent, permanent dismissal for those
students found guilty of premeditated acts or
grossly misusing the system - other violators
would receive a graduation of penalties; two
percent, no opinion; and seven percent, other
ideas.

The analysis also revealed that "while there
were five questions in the survey dealing with
the issue of penalty for violation of the Honor
System, these overall results indicate (1) that
penalty is the major issue or topic of concern
among a significant proportion of students; but
(2) there is also no clear-cut solution or
consensus for solution in the area of penalty.

In conclusion, the preliminary report said
that "it is hoped that this analysis will shed
light on any relationship between knowledge of
and attitudes toward, the Honor System and
such factors as year in the University, course of
study, graduate/undergraduate students,
familiarity with the rules, and others."