Student Government Association

Honor Code

We at Washington College strive to maintain an environment in which learning and growth flourish through individuals' endeavors and honest intellectual exchanges both in and out of the classroom. To maintain such an environment, each member of the community pledges to respect the ideas, well-being, and property of others. Thus, each member of the Washington College community abides by an Honor Code.

Washington College Honor Code

The Washington College Honor Code was established by vote of the faculty and students in 1976. In 1987 the policy was studied and reaffirmed and, in 1994, it was redrafted to reflect student and faculty sentiment that a single code should address both academic and social conduct.

The Honor Code sets standards for the entire College community. The intention of the Honor Code is to encourage honest academic achievement and the highest standard of social conduct in all members of the institution. Those who agree to this honor system promise to uphold it and abide by it. All students are required to sign the Honor Code upon enrollment at Washington College, signifying that they have read and understood the Honor Code, that they are willing to abide by its principles, and that they understand the penalties they may incur if they violate the code. There are two kinds of violations: academic and social.

Academic Violations of the Honor Code

Any form of cheating or otherwise impeding the academic progress of others is a violation of the Honor Code. Such violations include but are not limited to the following:

plagiarizing—willfully presenting the language, ideas, or thoughts of another person as one's original work;
revealing the form or content of an examination or quiz; attempting to secure a copy of or information about a future examination or quiz without authorization from the instructor;
copying another's answers in an in-class or take-home examination, paper, laboratory work, or class assignment; using crib notes, prepared blue books, or other types of unauthorized materials;
discussing answers during an in-class examination or a take-home examination without the instructor's permission;
submitting work completed for a previous course for a subsequent course without the permission of the instructor; submitting the same paper in two or more concurrent courses without the informed consent of the instructors;
stealing, damaging, or concealing materials or equipment necessary to the academic well-being of the college community, such as library books, computer files, and audiovisual equipment.

Social Violations of the Honor Code

Any behavior that harms or threatens the physical, psychological, or social well-being of any member or guest of the college community, or any behavior that threatens or damages the reputation of Washington College, is a social violation of the Honor Code. Such violations include but are not limited to the following:

violating the College's social life, alcohol, firearms, or narcotics policies or any other standing policy of the College;
stealing personal or college property;
vandalizing or damaging personal or college property;
persistently or excessively violating residence hall policy in any way that threatens the academic or social well-being of any individual or group of individuals (e.g., disrupting quiet hours).

A complete description of the implementation of the Honor Code can be found in the Student Handbook. During Orientation Week, each student will be informed about the Honor Code and its regulations.

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