The Cavalier daily. :: Friday, April 4, 1969 :: University of Virginia Library

"Studies show that student
support of the Honor System is not
as strong as it has been in past
years" said Whitt Clement in a
campaign talk given Wednesday
night. "In my opinion" he said,
"living under the Honor System is a
preferable way of life. But student
support is essential to this system."

To bolster this declining student
support, Mr. Clement suggested a
change in the orientation program.
"Right now this program has to be
made less dogmatic and more
practical. We must be shown, in a
rational manner, that this Honor
System is good."

"We are not so naive" continued
Mr. Clement on the orientation
program, "to accept such an important
thing only on an emotional
basis. Its presentation must be more
rational."

Problem Of Diversity

In addition he proposed that "a
second orientation be given in
February." In line with this he said,
"students have to know how our
Honor System is working. Right
now the only contact we have with
the committee is a box published in
The Cavalier Daily when a student
is dismissed."

To counteract this problem, he
proposed that each time a student
is expelled "the facts surrounding
the case be published to make the
students aware of what the Honor
Committee considers dishonorable."

"I do not advocate the names of
the persons involved be mentioned,"
he added, "just some of the
circumstances."

When asked whether he felt the
Honor System should be in effect
at all times, Mr. Clement said,
"ideally honor is not limited. But
because of the vagueness of its
scope, it is possible, in fact I believe
it is probable, that the present
Honor Committee will decide that
the system be limited to the
University community."

On the question of the impact
of co-education on the system, Mr.
Clement alluded to the Woody
Report on co-education in saying
"statistics show that honor systems
are less effective in co- educational
institutions." Mr. Clement felt that
this was due to "the social atmosphere
that exists in a co-educational
institution." This
atmosphere, he felt, would be "for
example a temptation to relax a
strict academic outlook."

Stronger Orientation

This might create a temptation
to break the honor code. The
answer, Mr. Clement felt, must be
"in an increased orientation program."
As to how the system would
apply to girls, he said, "it would
have to be presented in a different
manner, but I foresee no real
difficulties outside of administration
details."

When asked about the impact of
the University's anticipated growth
on the Honor System, Mr. Clement
replied "an increased student body
does present problems, particularly
in the diversity of the backgrounds
of the students."

In answer to this problem, Mr.
Clement again felt the responsibility
lay "in a stronger effort to reach
these people. The orientation program
should be strengthened." He
added, "the Honor System is the
Honor System regardless of the
backgrounds of the people under
it."

Mr. Clement felt that the orientation
program was also the answer
to the problem of applying the
Honor System to any under-privileged
students admitted to the
University, who might have different
backgrounds from the average
student.

Mr. Clement ended his talks by
again emphasising "student support
is essential to the system. As long
as peer disapproval and interest is
maintained our system will remain
intact."

Mr. Clement began his campaign
for President of the College and
Chairman of the Honor Committee
with talks given in the first-year
dormitories.