2006 Honor Code Fails to Pass

Colleges and Universities A-Z Haverford College
41

<p>Good Grief. Again?!!!</p>

<p>Yeah, so I graduated 2 years ago and the same thing almost happened. It's not a big deal. My friends told me to look on this page so now i'm sucked in. First off, "Gestapo policy" to describe haverford's code... are you for real???? Haverford 's an experimental, idealized and intentional commmunity constructed to give students a better understanding of themselves and their relationship to others. It works most times, sometimes it doesn't. For someone to think that standing up and speaking your mind when you see somebody destroying college property, being unsafe to themselves or others, cheating is being a "Gestapo", there is something really wrong with American Society. @ Haverford, people don't always do what's considered the best but at least it's held up to be the ideal. There was a 20/20 expose a few months back where the show set up actors to play scenes of 1) a man verbally abusing and nearly phsically abusing an apparent girlfriend in public 2) an actor playing a shoplifter at a local community store where regular customers (who knew the store owner) were present. So, the cameras rolled and almost everybody looked the other way. Given the problems in the world with people not standing up for what they believe in and not having the backbone to act accordingly, don't you think it's a good idea to have a place where at least that type of action is held as the ideal to consider?
And if we're gonna discuss these events, let's not mislead. First, the marjority of students didn't "vote no" as the last message suggested. quorum was met for plenary. Only there were not enough ballots handed in a week later to reach code ratification and an omission is not a "No vote". Almost 550 people did hand in their ballots in favor of the code. Also to golfer-guy, I don't know what "rules" you are referring to that students don't believe in and I think you should read the code again. Other than being honest to yourself and to others, respecting other students and interacting with them in a civil manner, there are no "RULES". The main issue with the code is whether we need it, not because we don't follow it (as given what I just wrote, you'd have to be an A-hole to not) but rather those principles are so common sense that having an external code seems to some to be redundant.</p>

42

<br>


<br>

<p>At the time I was at Bryn Mawr, the "Gestapo provision" in the HC honor code said that no matter what the unique circumstances may be, no matter whether the misbehaving student is only hurting himself, no matter whether I think that the punishment he will face is disproportionate to the crime or that a particular Code violation is none of my business, I MUST not only confront him but turn him in, or else face discipline myself.</p>

<p>What I want to do is speak MY MIND, not my self-preservation instinct. I want to make my own ethical decision about what's right under those circumstances based on my own conscience; I do not want to be forced to turn somebody in because it's my butt on the line if I don't.</p>

43

<p>My own impression is that Haverford over-stresses the honor code in terms of prospective applicants. Although I really like what is espoused by the code and find it much more appealing than "arbitor of order and disipline" administrations at many schools, it could not help but be annoyed by the emphasis placed on it. From the supplemental essay, to the mailing material and the Haverford website which uses "do you have an honor code" as a sample search query, the school just beats the applicant over the head with it. I think its a great part of the school but it is also overstressed and as a result, can get anoying for the applicant.</p>