The Mississippi State University Honor Code Council Office released its first statistical report to the public on Aug. 18, revealing its first-year impact on the university.
Statistics showed 155 violations of the Honor Code were reported during the 2007-08 academic year. Approximately half of the offenses were attributed to plagiarism. Other acts of misconduct included cheating, lying and being an accomplice to a violation. 59 percent of the violators were male and 41 percent were females. included cheating, lying and being an accomplice to a violation. Fifty-nine percent of violators were male and 49 percent were females.
Of the 155 violations reported, 150 students were penalized. To date, 44 Honor Code violators have received a XF mark on their transcripts, which signifies failure of the class due to cheating. Sixteen violating students had their course grade reduced and 71 simply received a zero on the assignment.
Created in part by former MSU President Robert “Doc” Foglesong, the Honor Code has become a physical staple of some classrooms.
Plaques bearing the code have been placed in many classrooms throughout the university.
Vice president for student affairs Bill Kibler deemed the Honor Code’s initial year of operation a success.
“The Honor Code has brought greater focus and attention to the importance of honor and integrity to the MSU community,” he said.
Student Association President Braxton Coombs praised the Honor Code and its governing council for holding students accountable for their actions.
“Those who serve on the Honor Council have done a great job making sure students uphold the integrity of MSU,” Coombs said.
Political science professor Barbara Patrick said the Honor Code potentially causes students to rethink unethical behavior.
“If it causes students to hesitate for a moment before they consider plagiarizing a document, then that within itself is a victory,” she said.
Senior psychology major John MacArthur said he agrees with the concept of the code but doubts its existence will hamper most bad behavior.
“I think the Honor Code is a nice thought,” MacArthur said, “but students are not going to be intimidated by a sign on the wall or by sheet of paper [they signed]. I don’t know how it would apply to the outside world.”
Senior biological engineering major Sarah Duffy said she believes the code poses little threat to students.
“People will make moral decisions whether or not a code is posted,” she said. “I do feel that the Honor Code gives students the encouragement to report violations, but I have not noticed [many] repercussions since its inception.”
Despite those who feel the code has little impact on dishonesty, Kibler said the Honor Code is here to stay.
“Faculty and students have embraced the goals of the Honor Code in raising the institutional commitment to honor and integrity,” he said.
To learn more about the Honor Code, visit http://students.msstate.edu/honorcode or contact the MSU division of student affairs.