Comply with the honor code

The word “cheater” tends to arouse intense emotions in many different people: those who have cheated, those who have caught the cheater, and those who have been used by the cheaters for their intelligence. A quick glance at someone else’s exam, if it is intercepted by someone else, is enough to send many teachers over the edge. Cheats are sometimes caught, but some are so good that they won’t even be suspected, much less stopped. Sadly, these cheaters manage to treat many people unfairly with their one action. The person the cheater copied from probably studied hard and worked to get a good grade. The cheater himself pretends to be someone he is not, thus deceiving many others. The rest of the class who also did their job honestly can rightly say that they have also been treated unfairly, bringing the total number of people affected to much more than just two or three.

Unfortunately, implementing a code of honor has both its advantages and disadvantages. For example, cheaters who don’t have a shred of moral fiber will ignore honor codes, while students who care about their grades appreciate the confidence that comes with implementing an honor code at their college.

The first honor code in the United States was implemented more than 230 years ago at The College of William & Mary at the urging of Thomas Jefferson, who was the mayor of Virginia at the time. Since then, the honor code has been implemented in various ways by a plethora of universities, as well as by many federal military academies in the United States. One university in particular has implemented a very strict honor code: Brigham Young University. Your code demands more than just academics; do not wear revealing clothing, men must be clean shaven and other rules relating to virtuous life.

At Vanderbilt University, a plaque adorns the Student Life Center with a quote from a former Chancellor, Madison Sarratt: “Today I give you two tests, one in trigonometry and one in honesty. I hope you pass them, but you must fail one Let it be trigonometry because there are many good men in this world today who cannot pass a trigonometry exam, but there are no good men in the world who cannot honestly pass an exam. ” Sarratt’s words are sure to strike a chord with students who walk around the plate and take the time to read it.

However, cheating is not limited to looking at someone’s test. While working on your degree online, you will likely have to take exams that are not proctored, which is a warning to the honor code that can be easily abused. The best advice to follow to maintain the honor code is to work as if there is a supervisor sitting next to you. It may be tempting to search for an answer or four, but you will know the true value of your grade and will have to live with the knowledge that you betrayed the honor code. Being prepared with what you need to know to earn an online degree will help you avoid integrity issues within yourself.