Student Government is considering multiple ways to implement the University’s first honor code — “The Tiger Code,” which was put into effect May 7.
SG president Clay Tufts said there are many options when it comes to the code’s implementation.
Implementation ideas include a computer “pop-up” screen with an agreement button when students schedule or pay their fee bills or including the code in syllabuses, Blue Books or Scantrons.
Tufts said he wants to make the honor code more available for professors and students, calling for the code to be posted onto the SG website. He said he has plans for SG to launch a social media campaign this semester surrounding the honor code.
Tufts said the honor code will lead to a decrease in academic dishonesty and “peer enforcement” will play a large role in enforcing it.
The honor code was
enacted this semester, but now SG is trying to find ways to promote it.
SG senator Adam Grashoff said the ultimate plan will be for every class to acknowledge it during their freshman orientation. The idea is every University student will have signed the honor code after four or five years.
“Over time, an honor code has proven at other Universities to decrease academic dishonesty,” said Grashoff. “Our mindset is to build academic honesty over time.”
Ethan Byrne, biological engineering sophomore, said signing a piece of paper is not going to stop people from cheating.
“They’ll still do what they need to do to get the grades they want,” Byrne said.
Byrne also said people might not agree on principle but will sign the code anyway.
He said he believes educating students about campus tutoring resources will be more effective in decreasing academic dishonesty rather than having an honor code.
According to Student Government’s website, an honor code is “… a code to instill pride and passion for our university and for honorable work.”
“LSU puts their name on the degree for a reason, and the students should take it seriously,” Grashoff said.
Nick McGinn, undeclared freshman, said the honor code would be effective and help deter dishonorable actions.
“I don’t think it’s necessary, but having it is a good thing,” McGinn said.
He said the best way to implement the honor code would be going through professors and using clickers to accept the honor code agreement.