Honor Code 1939-1980

Discussion about having an Honor Code began amongst faculty and students in 1939. President Guy Wells was not involved in the process of creating the honor system, but he supported the development of such a system. The 1940-1941 Student Handbook contains the first Honor Code, outlining the honor system and the organization of the Honor Council. The Honor Code was a pledge the students wanted to make to eachother which would allow students the freedom to council themselves when the Honor Code was violated.

The Honor Council was made up of elected students and faculty members. The original purpose of the Honor Council was to focus on academic violations rather than dorm or social offenses. Students caught in violation of the code were brought before a panel of Honor Council students. Faculty members were present if the student being brought before the committee had previously committed an offense. The Honor Council was not to disclose the names nor the offenses of students brought before the committee. The council did not discipline students, but rather worked to council students who had violated the Honor System.

In the late 1940’s the Honor Council ceased to exist when it joined with the Judiciary which encompassed academic as well as social responsibilities. The Honor Code including academic and social responsibility continued for thirty five more years.

In the 1950’s the college developed an honor shield. The first version of the shield is seen in the GSCW Handbook 1955-1956 with the words: security, loyalty, respect and vigilance emblazoned across the shield. The GCSW Handbook for 1956-1957 pictures a shield which is seen throughout the 1960's and 1970’s.

1955 Shield

1956 Shield

The basic ideals of the Honor System are exemplified in the Honor Shield. The single hand on the shield represents confidence in self. The two hands symbolize respect for the opinion of others. The oak leaf is representative of strength, and the crescent moon is symbolic of womanhood. The chain circles the whole shield as a symbol of the support that integrity gives the other strengths. The cross from its center position focuses all toward the infinite.

The Honor Code quickly fell out of existance in the 1980's. The 1980's saw a change in administration as Dr. Edwin G. Speir was inaugurated as the new president in 1981. The Student Handbooks of the 1980’s include very general college information and do not include an Honor Code as specified in the earlier Student Handbooks. The Honor Code seems to transform in 1981 from a student run, self governing system, to a Student Academic Dishonesty Policy, rules and regulations concerning residence hall parties, alcohol guidelines, and conduct and responsibility violations. The policies are followed by a list of punishment for violating the rules. The social and academic rules and the punishment for violation rely upon the college administration rather than the Honor Code's ideal of students counciling students.

In 1998 incoming freshmen students received information on and discussed “the 3 Rs; Reason Respect and Responsibility.” Incoming students were given a pin before opening Convocation. During the Convocation students were reminded of the importance of the 3 Rs and told about three interconnected circles on their pins which represent the 3 Rs.

In February 1999 the Student Government Association approved an Honor Code which was enacted in the fall of 1999 when incoming freshmen students took an oath to abide by the Honor Code. Violations of the honor code include lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and failure to enforce the Honor Code.

1940-1941 Honor Code 1954 Honor Code 1962-1963 Honor Code additions 1973-1974 Honor Code changes 1998 Reason, Respect, and Responsibility Current Matriculation Pledge and Honor Code

Integrity in academic relationships requires intellectual independence in all types of college work. Harmful dependence frustrates the basic purposes of education, which is the acquisition of knowledge and the development of intellectual power in the individual. The conception of the Honor System as an expression of confidence between faculty and students emphasizes the importance of a thorough understanding. Students interest in and cooperation with the Honor System is manifested by signing the following pledge: I pledge that I shall neither give nor receive aid in any academic work in a manner not authorized by the instructor. I pledge that I shall report all violations that I observe to a member of Honor Council. Student’s Handbook 1940-1941

Honor Code from 1954. The wording in this code was used throughout the 1950's.

We, the students of Georgia State College for Women, believe that character can be favorably modified through impress of habit, by precept, and by example. That the College Government Association is the instrument for realizing the broad principles of the Honor System as well as those regulations deemed essential to responsible living in a college community. That the responsibilities of the Honor System are operative in those areas of personal and communal living in which there are no basic disagreements. Those areas are Personal Integrity and Major Social Responsibilities. Violations of Personal Integrity are 1. Lying 2. Cheating 3. Stealing Violations of Major Social Responsibilities are 1. Drinking or possessing intoxicating beverages. 2. Abusing dating or riding privileges of major significance. 3. Leaving the college without permission. 4. Bringing reproach on the name of the college. That in complete fulfillment of our responsibility to each other through C.G.A., we pledge to report all such violations of the Honor System to the Chairman of Judiciary. She, in turn, will report all violations of personal integrity to the Chairman of the Honor Council. That the minor social offenses represent an area in which there may be disagreements, but that the practice of common courtesies will do much to eliminate disturbances. That such offenses will be referred by student officers to Dormitory Councils and that each student will assume responsibility to report personal violations and to talk with offenders. That self-government is the best government and self-discipline is the best discipline. GSCW Hanadbook 1954

Honor Code from 1962-1963 was expanded and given a spirit of idealism that did not exist in earlier editions.

The self-government is the best government and self-discipline is the best discipline. As students we realize that the Honor System is not perfect, but we are striving constantly to grow in our understanding of the implications of and to enlarge our response to the Honor System. We realize that the Honor System is directly dependent upon each member of the student body for it is the students who compose the system and who determine its effectiveness. The basic ideals of the Honor System are exemplified in the Honor Shield. The single hand on the shield represents confidence in self. The two hands symbolize respect for the opinion of others. The oak leaf is representative of strength, and the crescent moon is symbolic of womanhood. The chain circles the whole shield as a symbol of the support that integrity gives the other strengths. The cross from its center position focuses all toward the infinite. Honor is certainly not a gift that can be bestowed upon an individual. It is something that is gained only in a true relationship to one’s self, to others, and to God. The students of The Women’s College of Georgia consider it a privilege to live under an honor system which permeates every aspect of campus living, social as well as academic - a system which encourages personal growth and personal development. Handbook 1962-1963

The Honor Code from 1973-1974 was much like that of the 1950's and 1960's. A more liberal attitude was developed regarding the the "Violations of Major Social Responsibilities" and a pledge was added.

Violations of Major Social Responsibilities: 1. Any action or conduct which is contrary or damaging to the reputation or good name of Georgia College, its faculty and students or which creates a situation that is offensive to others. 2. Leaving the College without permission. 3. Violation of major dormitory regulation. My honor is my own. It cannot be taken away, nor can it be destroyed by anyone other than myself; but it can be strengthened. It is my sincere belief that the Honor System can serve as a guide to growth and strength of character for all who actively seek it. So believing, I willingly accept and pledge to support the Honor System, realizing that as I do, I assume the responsibility not only for myself, but also for every other student living under this system. Georgia College Student Handbook 1973-1974

Reason, Respect, and Responsibility

GC & SU students are encouraged to continue building strong value systems and maintaining high ideals founded on sound principles. This year’s theme, “Reason, Respect, and Responsibility,” will be infused throughout you experiences at GC & SU. Readings, lectures, group discussions, and other group activities will explore the use of thoughtful contemplation of reason before acting or reacting. Respect for others, for individual difference, for the law, and for property is a continuous theme on the GC & SU campus. Throughout the year, numerous opportunities for service reinforce the importance of responsibility as a citizen and member of the campus community. First Year Exploration Circles brochure 1998

Current Matriculation Pledge

In enrolling at Georgia College & State University, I solemnly pledge that I will conduct myself in such a manner as to reflect credit on the Georgia College & State University community, and I will uphold the Honor Code of the University. If I violate this Honor Code, I will accept the imposed penalty, which may include expulsion from the University.

Current Honor Code

It is presumed that any student who matriculates at Georgia College & State University is willing to conform to a pattern of mutual trust and honor and shall deal honorably with all members of the university community. It must be understood that it is the responsibility of each student, faculty, and staff member to preserve, nurture, and strengthen this spirit of honor. Georgia College & State University students shall at all times refrain from, discourage, and as far as possible, prevent all attempts at lying, cheating, stealing, and plagiarism. When a violation of the Honor Code is detected, a student must take steps to bring the matter to the attention of the Judicial Council or the Vice President and Dean of Students. Failure to take this responsibility is in itself a violation of the Honor Code. Violations Defined "Lying" is defined as any attempt to deceive, falsify, or misrepresent the truth in any matter involving university business. University business includes but is not limited to, financial aid information, excuses for absences, statements to professors in order to reschedule tests or assignments, and responses to the queries of Public Safety officers. "Cheating" is defined as the employment of or rendering of any illicit aid in any assigned work. "Stealing" is defined as the appropriation of money or property belonging to another person, organization, or the University, or the borrowing of property without the knowledge of the owner. "Plagiarism" is defined as presenting as one's own work the words or ideas of an author or fellow student without proper documentation through quotation marks and footnotes or other accepted citation methods. Ignorance of these rules concerning plagiarism is not an excuse. When in doubt, students should seek clarification from the professor who made the assignment. "Failure to enforce the Honor Code" is defined as any act of omission which permits violations of the Honor Code to occur or to go unreported. Penalties The Judicial Council may, for any first offense violation of the Honor Code, impose immediate suspension for the remainder of the current semester and possibly for one additional semester (depending on the severity of the violation). If suspended in the fall, one would be suspended for the remainder of the fall semester and possibly the spring semester; if suspended in the spring, one would be suspended for the remainder of the spring semester and possibly the following fall semester. The normal penalty for a second Honor Code violation is immediate expulsion from the University.