 | The University of Virginia record March 15, 1928 |  |
THE HONOR SYSTEM
For eighteen years after the opening of the institution, written examinations
were conducted under the surveillance of a committee of three professors.
This was not altogether satisfactory, and in June, 1842, Judge
Henry St. George Tucker, Professor of Law, offered the following resolution,
which the Faculty at once adopted:
Resolved, That in all future written examinations for distinction and other
honors of the University, each candidate shall attach to the written answers
presented by him on such examination a certificate in the following words: "I,
A. B., do hereby certify, on honor, that I have derived no assistance during the
print, in giving the above answers."
This was the beginning of the honor system at this institution, and it
has been in operation ever since without interruption. Later the pledge
was extended so as to preclude the giving as well as the receiving of assistance.
Still more recently the scope of the honor system has been enlarged
so as to cover other phases of student conduct. Its administration is entirely
in the hands of the students, the essence of the system being that the
violation of a student's word of honor is an offense not against the university
authorities, but against the whole student body, and on the rare occasions
on which it has occurred, the students themselves have quietly and
promptly sent the offender away from the University without need of faculty
action.
Examinations are required to be held in one place and in the presence
of the professor in charge of the course or one of his assistants. These regulations
in no way conflict with the spirit of the honor system, but are regarded
as being necessary to give a proper dignity and formality to the occasion.
| The University of Virginia record March 15, 1928 | |