6 The Honor Code

The Honor Code is the cornerstone of the Connecticut College experience, and students are expected to uphold academic excellence, maintain high community standards, and practice responsible citizenship that ultimately protects the core principles of our College. With the privilege of having a diverse student body, students should be able to interact and learn from each other in ways that uphold community respect and personal freedom.

Instituted in 1924, the Honor Code is a system based on trust and mutual respect. The honor system at Connecticut College is unique in that it is upheld and presided over by a student-governed conduct process known as the Honor Council. Because students take the Honor Code very seriously, there is a strong trust between students, faculty, and the administration. The Honor Code sets the tone for campus life and acts as a philosophy to live by through demonstrating a commitment to personal participation in improving the quality of life in our community.

During orientation, this honor system is thoroughly explained to new students. When students matriculate, they pledge to adhere to the Connecticut College Honor Code by formally signing the Connecticut College matriculation pledge:

I accept membership into Connecticut College, a community committed to cultural and intellectual diversity. I understand my obligation to this community under the Honor Code and pledge to uphold standards of behavior governed by honor. I pledge to take responsibility for my beliefs, and to conduct myself with integrity, civility, and the utmost respect for the dignity of all human beings. I pledge that my actions will be thoughtful and ethical and that I will do my best to instill a sense of responsibility in those among us who falter.

Suggested Language for Course Syllabus

“Academic integrity is of the utmost importance in maintaining the high standards of scholarship in our community. Academic dishonesty is considered to be a serious offense against the community and represents a significant breach of trust between the professor, the classmates, and the student. There are many forms of academic dishonesty including plagiarism, submitting the same work in two courses without prior approval, unauthorized discussion, collaboration, or distribution of exams or assignments, and offering or receiving unauthorized aid on exams or graded assignments. Students violating the Honor Code may be referred to the College’s Honor Council for resolution.”

Honor Pledge

On all exams, tests and quizzes taken at Connecticut College, students are required, as part of their adherence to the Honor Code, to write out the Connecticut College Honor Pledge: “I promise not to give or receive aid on this exam.” It is signed by the student. It is an outward indication of a student’s pledge to work on his/her honor.

Please see answers to Faculty FAQs on the Honor Code here.

Questions?

Sarah Cardwell, Senior Associate Dean of Student Life at x2839 or scardwel@conncoll.edu.