I haven't taken any courses on ethics or integrity, and I can't really recall discussing these topics in many of my classes either. Professors have told me not to cheat, and some have warned about plagiarism. So if I keep my eyes on my own exam, pull my weight in group projects, and reference sources correctly, does that mean I have integrity? Are these brief lessons all I need for my profession? Is this all a WPI education can teach me about ethics?
Ethics, integrity and academic honesty are not topics that are discussed widely or frequently at WPI. The inadvertent message being sent is that these values are not important at WPI or in general. But that's not true! Professional morals and ethics are integral to WPI and to a WPI education. However, they are very difficult to teach. A professor cannot pass out a list of the morals in a certain field; nor can an advisor mandate academic honesty on a project. The real issue is that morals cannot be taught like calculus, and integrity should not come from the top down. WPI is not responsible for teaching us academic honesty, in either an academic or professional setting. It is up to us.
Ethics, integrity and academic honesty are important values that every person should explore on his own. But we can help each other. Professors, advisors, and graduate students are excellent role models for us. Peers are valuable resources of experience and opinions. The WPI community needs to engage in open dialogue about ethics, but the students need to lead the way. How can we do this?
The proposed Honor Code is a golden opportunity for students to lead the WPI community to establish ethics, integrity, and academic honesty as priorities on campus. The Ad Hoc Academic Honesty Committee has been working hard for several years to develop an honor code that would suit WPI and serve all members of the WPI community. I have been a member of this committee for three years, and I feel very strongly that the proposed Honor Code can make a big difference at WPI. I feel just as strongly that this Honor Code absolutely cannot succeed without the active support of the student body.
The students must take control of the Honor Code from the beginning and make it their own. Without the support of the students, the Honor Code is another rule handed down by the administration, and that limits its power. It would seem like a mere change in the rules governing cheating and plagiarism. But with the commitment of the student body, the Honor Code would be an important change in the campus culture and a strengthening of the WPI community.
A real honor code transcends the fight against cheating and plagiarism. The basis for an honor code is already apparent at WPI. We focus on cooperative education at many different levels. GPA's and class ranks are not even calculated by the Registrar's Office. Students work with their peers in courses and on team projects, where they contribute individual talents and voices into successful group efforts. A majority of the tutoring and help services on campus are provided by peers, from MASH leaders, PLA's, Senior Tutors, to RA's. Students work with graduate students and professors to conduct academic research. Professors work with each other, formulating and carrying out programs for the WPI community, such as project centers, bridge projects, and interdisciplinary research.
These cooperative relationships are vital to WPI. They constitute one of the most important aspects of a WPI education, which is developing the skills to work with people from a variety of backgrounds to move a project or joint effort to completion. Although we understand the value of these relationships now, establishing an honor code would move the WPI community into a strong commitment to protecting and encouraging cooperation at all levels. An honor code is written, spoken, and active respect of one's self and other community members. WPI is ready to take that step. The participation of the student body will determine the success of an honor code here.
We have the opportunity to change the campus culture to reflect an agreed commitment to academic honesty and respect. As a fellow student, I strongly encourage you to educate yourself about the proposed Honor Code. Multiple groups on campus, including SGA, will be evaluating the proposed Honor Code during A-term. Please join these discussions. Questions or requests for copies of the proposed Honor Code can be directed to Prof. Addison, Co-Chair of the Ad Hoc Academic Honesty Committee (addison@wpi.edu).