The review process will proceed in three stages. First, there will be a study conducted on the effects of the Code, which will shape the Code's broad principles and design. Second, there will be a student referendum on the Code in the spring semester. Finally, there is a faculty vote.
The Honor Code is overseen by the College Council, which attends to rules governing social life on campus. It is comprised of deans, professors and students. Chair of the Council and Professor of Black Studies Jeffery Ferguson explained that the Honor Code is subject to revision every four years.
Implementing an honor code at the College was first discussed when the administration and faculty began to notice that instances of cheating and plagiarism were on the rise. After a record number of 34 cases of cheating and plagiarism was recorded in 2003, the Honor Code was instituted. Since then, the number of cases has declined steadily. Fourteen cases were recorded during the first year of the Code's activity. There were 14 and 10 cases in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007, respectively. Although the review process is mandated by the administration, it is bound by what Ferguson calls an "active" principle. Students are expected to reflect on the code and to advise changes accordingly.
According to Ferguson, the need for review was included in the Honor Code legislation as a means of encouraging discussion among students and faculty regarding the honor system, cheating and plagiarism.
"The basic idea was that every student here at Amherst, at some point during their four years, would have to think, reflect upon and vote on the Code," Ferguson explained.
The hope is that the code will not be passively deferred to, but engage students' thought and reflection. Ferguson continued, "It's not just about not doing something wrong … it should go beyond just them [students] not cheating." The student referendum in the review process points to this intention. Moreover, students will be asked to consider changes to the Honor Code and e-mail their proposed changes to members of the administration. It is hoped that students will be actively involved in the review process.
Although the process is still in its early stages, the administration hopes to invite student comments soon. Ferguson said a sense of the opinions among students will lead the process in helpful directions. "It is still very early," he said.
"At this point, we are fishing for people's thoughts about the Honor Code. We want to get as broad an account as possible of the Code."
Ferguson clarified how student input would help to answer important questions regarding what changes to the Honor Code, if any, should be implemented. He said, "It will help us not only to focus our reflections on how the Honor Code must be adjusted, but also to get some sense of if it really is doing some good."
Some students were surprised to learn how involved students are in a project they had ordinarily associated with administrative duty. Students are involved not only in crafting the Code, but also in enforcing it.
One student explained that his professor walked out of the room during an exam. He remarked that the immediate impulse among students in high school would have been to cheat. Ferguson said that the code relies heavily on student integrity and that the Code was not designed to affect practice among professors, but to make students more aware of certain obligations. Students are expected to be responsible. He added, "The Honor Code is a supply side remedy … as opposed to changing how professors do things." He added jokingly, "I have some faith in humanity."
So do students. "I've seen some cheating," said Christophe Hebe '10. "But I think the Honor Code is pretty good because it leaves some flexibility. There's not always going to be someone looking over your shoulder making sure you're being honest all the time. So it just relies on people's integrity and I like the idea behind that. Maybe I'm a hopeless optimist, but I think it works."
Said Yana Yushkina '10, "I know that people talk about cheating, but I personally have never seen it. I'm sure the fact that there are repercussions makes a difference." She added, "I feel like most of the people that go to Amherst didn't get here by cheating, so they don't feel that they need to now."
Ferguson appealed to students to approach Dean of Students Ben Lieber and the College Council with their thoughts and concerns regarding the Honor Code and the overall review process.