Suggested Syllabus Wording for Honor Code

In keeping with AA/PPS No. 02.03.01 in 13.01, J Syllabi Procedures, here are three examples of wording for Honor Code and related penalties for violations to be included in syllabi:

Example 1:

All faculty, staff, and students are responsible for supporting the principles of conscientiousness, respectfulness, and honesty and demonstrating a commitment to the university’s Academic Honor Code. Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty undermine the very purpose of the university and diminish the value of an education.  Specific expectations for academic integrity and sanctions for academic dishonesty are outlined in the Honor Code Council, and in UPPS No. 07.10.01. 

Example 2:

As members of a community dedicated to learning, inquiry, and creation, the students, faculty, and administration of our university live by the principles in this Honor Code. These principles require all members of this community to be conscientious, respectful, and honest.

WE ARE CONSCIENTIOUS. We complete our work on time and make every effort to do it right. We come to class and meetings prepared and are willing to demonstrate it. We hold ourselves to doing what is required, embrace rigor and shun mediocrity, special requests, and excuses.

WE ARE RESPECTFUL. We act civilly toward one another and we cooperate with each other. We will strive to create an environment in which people respect and listen to one another, speaking when appropriate, and permitting other people to participate and express their views.

WE ARE HONEST. We do our own work and are honest with one another in all matters. We understand how various acts of dishonesty, like plagiarizing, falsifying data, and giving or receiving assistance to which one is not entitled, conflict as much with academic achievement as with the values of honesty and integrity.

The pledge for Students:

Students at our university recognize that, to ensure honest conduct, more is needed than an expectation of academic honesty, and we therefore adopt the practice of affixing the following pledge of honesty to the work we submit for evaluation: I pledge to uphold the principles of honesty and responsibility at our university.

Example 3:

Honor Code: All students are required to abide by the Texas State University Honor Code. The pledge for students states:

Students at our university recognize that, to ensure honest conduct, more is needed than an expectation of academic honesty, and we therefore adopt the practice of affixing the following pledge of honesty to the work we submit for evaluation: I pledge to uphold the principles of honesty and responsibility at our university.

Faculty may also choose to include examples of dishonesty and/or possible penalties in their syllabi.