At Ursinus College I believe an honor code should be enforced. Not an honor code that is extremely trusting of its students, but an honor code that intensifies punishment if a student is caught. Numerous students at Ursinus College have extremely high academic expectations for themselves. Many of them will do whatever they can to achieve a grade they’re aspiring - including cheating. Even though they are good students, their cheating is unfair to themselves, and the students who are honest about their grades. An honor code could withhold Ursinus’ academic integrity.
When I went to visit McDaniel, they had an extremely trusting honor code. The professor could leave the room during an exam and expect the students not to cheat. At Ursinus, this type of honor code would not be able to be enforced. It would intensify cheating, and cause the students to have grades they are undeserving of. At Ursinus, we need an honor system that will administer stricter punishments for those in violation. The honor code would be written on every test, paper, and assignment a student hands in promising it was their own work. The student would be aware that if caught cheating, strict punishment would be inflicted. Along with an honor code, students, faculty, and staff of the college would be a part of a council that would strictly enforce the code. They would decide what punishment is necessary for the student’s actions. If that type of honor code was enforced, and students knew harsher punishment would be inflicted if caught, the cheating at Ursinus College would decrease. The honor code would help the college’s academic integrity withstand.