University of Virginia Library

Honor System

Re: letter of James J. Nugent
regretting the "unwarranted advantage"
taken of the honor system.
We are in our first year at
the University and thus novices to
the honor system here. Perhaps
that is why we fail to see where a
distinction can be made, in ANY
aspect of a student's life, if this
honor system is to be meaningful.
Honorable conduct cannot mean
"that which is not in accordance
with standards but is not detected"
for honor must pervade every
action. In the University's Explanation
of the Honor System exceptions
are taken for "breaches
of administrative regulations,
failure to pay honest debts, and
breaches of civil contracts," which
are under other "arms of authority
at the University." But can these
be excepted from an honor code?
We think not, for such transgressions
imply deviations from
honorable conduct.

It has been said that the increasing
influx of graduate students
from other schools has
tended to reduce the effectiveness
of this honor system. If this be
so, perhaps it is because they do
not find the respect and support
of the system in the undergraduates
who are supposedly steeped
in its tradition. But more likely,
the weakness is in the system itself
as one which will allow exceptions.

This in itself is contradictory.
Either the honor system is completely
inclusive, or there is no
honor system at all. To say that
it pertains to one phase of conduct,
but not to another is to disprove
its practicality altogether. The
honor code is explained: "Each
student should realize that no matter
where he is or what time of
the year it is, he still represents
the University and is bound by
the Honor System." If a code of
conduct which places responsibility
on a student to act honorably
cannot be pertinent to any
situation, then it cannot justifiably
be entitled an "Honor System."