2008 Woodie Awards
Insider finds personal meaning in honor code
Kyle Roy
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Opinion
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Right around the time I administered my first beating, I began to wonder what the Academic Honor Code was all about. This was about the same time the Honor Council was discussing a program to implant polygraph microchips behind the left ear of every incoming first year. It was fall of my junior year, my first semester on the Honor Council, and something seemed terribly wrong.
I know what you're thinking, "The Honor Code doesn't mention one word about corporal punishment, much less nanotechnology," and you'd be right. I didn't actually punch anyone in the stomach that day, but I felt like I did. I remember when my fellow hearing panel member announced our finding in the case: responsible with a two-letter grade reduction in the final course grade - a common sanction for students who plead responsible to violating the Honor Code.
The student sat there silently for a second, and then, without saying a word or making a face, collected her things and got up and left. She had shown no signs of head trauma or even the faintest bruise, yet somehow I had the unshakable feeling that she would need some kind of rehabilitation, maybe for weeks or months.
Even though this woman had taken responsibility for breaking the Honor Code, I questioned whether she really understood what had happened at her hearing - or why, in fact, a hearing was even necessary. These questions came later, though, after my conscience cleared.
At the time, I was still under the false impression, the result of two years of hearsay, that the Honor Council is primarily a punitive body, designed to devise and mete out punishments. After I actually served on a case or two, I began to see the real purpose of hearings and sanctions and, consequently, the Honor Code and Council.
I think so many people view the Honor Council as a punitive body because they believe the foundation for the Honor Code is retributive justice. Although a more consistent, universal application of justice is a benefit of the Code, it is ultimately beside the point. The Honor Code exists because Trinity University values trust and fellowship.
I know what you're thinking, "The Honor Code doesn't mention one word about corporal punishment, much less nanotechnology," and you'd be right. I didn't actually punch anyone in the stomach that day, but I felt like I did. I remember when my fellow hearing panel member announced our finding in the case: responsible with a two-letter grade reduction in the final course grade - a common sanction for students who plead responsible to violating the Honor Code.
The student sat there silently for a second, and then, without saying a word or making a face, collected her things and got up and left. She had shown no signs of head trauma or even the faintest bruise, yet somehow I had the unshakable feeling that she would need some kind of rehabilitation, maybe for weeks or months.
Even though this woman had taken responsibility for breaking the Honor Code, I questioned whether she really understood what had happened at her hearing - or why, in fact, a hearing was even necessary. These questions came later, though, after my conscience cleared.
At the time, I was still under the false impression, the result of two years of hearsay, that the Honor Council is primarily a punitive body, designed to devise and mete out punishments. After I actually served on a case or two, I began to see the real purpose of hearings and sanctions and, consequently, the Honor Code and Council.
I think so many people view the Honor Council as a punitive body because they believe the foundation for the Honor Code is retributive justice. Although a more consistent, universal application of justice is a benefit of the Code, it is ultimately beside the point. The Honor Code exists because Trinity University values trust and fellowship.
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