Student Government has created an honor code for students, faculty and staff. The Academic Honor Code: The Tiger Code went into effect May 7 following its approval by the LSU Faculty Senate.
The University has never had an established university-wide honor code. Elliott Thompson, the outgoing academic director for Student Government, has been working closely with creating the honor code.
“The point of the honor code is to hold students accountable and hold them to a standard,” Thompson said.
This new honor code, which outlines standards for student’s conduct both academically and on campus, is modeled after the honor code of many other universities around the United States. Thompson said his friend at Washington & Lee University, a school with a long standing honor code, left his backpack and laptop in the quad for a few days, and it was left untouched.
“The honor code will establish an atmosphere where we can trust the students,” Thompson said. “This is an important first step to change the overall atmosphere of the University.”
Professors will have the final choice on how to implement the honor code in their courses. Some professors may require students to sign an honor code before an in-class test, or click a button on a computer lab exam acknowledging the honor code.
“No mandate will occur saying that professors are required to use the short statement, protecting their right of academic freedom within their classrooms, although students, faculty and staff are subject to uphold the honor code,” Thompson said.
The Honor Code has recieved approval from the Student Senate, Faculty Senate and the office of the Dean of Students. The document will be available online soon on the Student Government website.