<p>Hi all, </p>
<p>I will be an incoming applicant and I would like to know more about the honor code. Do people actually follow this? When I first read about it I would really like to follow it, but on the other hand I'm actually afraid of people gaining an competitive edge just by cheating on take-home exams.</p>
<p>Could someone clarify about this and briefly explain Rice's culture? Thanks all!</p>
<p>What is an “incoming applicant”? I’m guessing currently a HS junior.</p>
<p>I almost decided to just ignore this post but then again maybe someone else down the road will have a similar thought (although I hope not).</p>
<p>I don’t understand what is so hard to understand about the honor code. It is what it reads - so do read it carefully. Yes, students follow it and for anyone found in violation they can be, and I probably should just say will be, suspended and sent home for violations. (For example, I specifically know of one student who had to pack up and go home during this past semester - Spring 2010. That means they didn’t get credit for anything since they didn’t complete the semester. Also, I don’t think they can return until a year has passed. My guess is they will go on with their life somewhere else and NEVER return.) </p>
<p>Before this happened, I know I really didn’t think much about this since most everyone that is attending Rice does not question the honor code. I totally failed to realize that a violation does not just affect the student directly involved. Can you imagine what the parents must have felt when they got notice and learned they had to arrange full fare air transportation home with only a few days notice? Though no fault of anyone but this student, the suitemates all took it very hard. (I imagine a large circle of friends as well). In short, let’s just say that it was disruptive for a number of people and emotionally difficult to say goodbye under these unexpected circumstances. </p>
<p>Rice is a special place. I recommend you use the search feature to find out more about the culture at Rice to see if it is going to be a good fit for you.</p>
<p>The honor code is very seriously followed. One of DD’s friends was expelled for showing her paper to another student who then copied it. She claimed not to know he was going to copy it. Did not matter, both were out. Two students in one of DD’s classes collaborated on the final paper and the investigation is going on now involving everyone in the class. The outcome is not promising for those students. </p>
<p>DD depends on the honor code to be able to use her accommodations for her learning disability. She usually takes her tests at home at a different time from others. She follows the strict honor code and can be counted on not to cheat, not to talk to anyone about the tests or listen when they are discussing it. This can result in some pretty funny situations where she leaves the room or puts her ipod on and cranks it up so she can’t hear what they are saying. :)</p>
<p>I still remember driving to Houston to visit DD about 5 years ago, and she asked me to meet her in a coffee shop in Rice Village. I arrived and she was sitting in a comfy chair working away diligently on her computer, and said “Hi Mom! I’m just finishing up my exam for a class. I’ll be done in just a little while.” I went and got a muffin and a drink, and I remember thinking how it was so wonderful that she could do that! :)</p>
<p>The honor code is taken EXTREMELY seriously here. I’m not kidding. I came from a high school where we had an honor code of sorts, but it was more of a ceremonial thing, and people cheated to get ahead all the time. At Rice, you basically live and die by the honor code–I’m not trying to scare you, but it’s just something that people really value. </p>
<p>During O-Week, you will get a presentation on the honor code and will have to take a test on it before you can register for classes. Once classes start, you’ll find that most professors make it easy for you to stay within honor code regulations. They will likely explain exactly what they want and what level of collaboration is allowed. If there’s any confusion, they’re always open to clarification as well.</p>
<p>I just finished a lower-level lab course with lots of potential for honor code violation. Every single assignment, the professor posted a brief description of exactly what was expected and what would be deemed an honor code violation. </p>
<p>Something else that really upholds the honor code here is Honor Council, which is a group made up entirely of students, who have judicial authority to hand out punishment based on violations. Go here: honor.rice.edu for more info on Honor Council and to find some abstracts of previous Honor Council cases. </p>
<p>Don’t worry about putting yourself at a disadvantage by following the honor code…the people who cheat are a slim minority, so everyone else will be in the same boat as you. The consequences for cheating are just too great, and the culture here is one of strong trust and personal responsibility.</p>
<p>The dread always loomed when an assignment was late in coming back. Did I drop a footnote? Should I have cited that? this? the other thing!? The Honor Code terrified me utterly.</p>
<p>Maybe it’s just because I was a physics major, but the Honor Code wasn’t really a huge part of my Rice experience. I know it was there, and occasionally people I knew came under some suspicion, but never in physics classes; maybe that’s because it’s pretty hard to cheat in physics by any means. Also, don’t tell anyone, but I never passed the Honor Code exam.</p>
<p>i would say no one studies or prepares for the honor code exam during o-week… a lot of otherwise smart people seriously fail, but you can retest</p>
<p>But Riceward, how understanding are professors about things like that? I mean, if you violated the honor code by missing a citation or something but it was entirely unintentional–how much would that hurt you?</p>
<p>There’s really no reason to be terrified of the Honor Code. It was designed to work for students, not against them. I personally have never had to deal with dropping a footnote, but I imagine that most of my professors would have been understanding.</p>
<p>The professors are usually really clear about honor code expectations, so it’s not like you have to guess at what they want. Also, they will ALWAYS answer your specific questions before the assignment is due.</p>
<p>Intentions don’t really matter in terms of whether there is an honor code violation or not. A violation is a violation regardless of intentions, and having good intentions but not fully understanding the code is not looked at as an excuse at Honor Council. so, it’s in your benefit to be proactive and make sure you fully understand how your assignment relates to the honor code beforehand, as opposed to stressing about it afterwards.</p>
<p>On that note, if the Honor Council DOES agree that there has been a violation, they will take into account your intentions, and the egregiousness of the violation. So someone who intentionally plagiarizes 4/5 of a paper will be treated differently than someone who accidentally forgot a footnote or something. Remember, the Honor Council is made up of students, so they’re not out to get you or anything.</p>
<p>Hello everyone, </p>
<p>My name is Kaleb Underwood and I am the External Vice-Chair of the Rice Honor Council. I am glad to see discussion about the Honor Code and wanted to offer a few clarifications on what has been said. </p>
<p>Singersmom07 says that 2 students were expelled. The Honor Council can NOT expel students unless the violation is considered “heinous” - this requires an 8/9 vote of the Council and has not been done in the last 4 or 5 years. That being said, penalties can include suspension under the current penalty structure, but can also involve just a letter reduction in the course. She also stated that the Honor Council was investigating every member of that class - this is also the result of misinformation. In that particular case (if it is the one I am thinking of) the Honor Council polled the class via email to get everyone’s opinion on what the professor said in class about the policy on that particular assignment so that we had a solid understanding of what happened so we could make a fair decision. </p>
<p>College316 and NYSkins1 say it the best. There is no reason to be terrified. The Honor Code allows us so much freedom and flexibility as Rice students and the professors and the Honor Council are not out to get anyone. We are students and take the responsibility very seriously, considering every case on its own merits. Remember, it requires a unanimous vote to find any student In Violation of the Honor Code. I can guarantee that if the violation it was indeed unintentional that a lesser penalty would be assessed. </p>
<p>If you have further questions please let me know personally or post them here. For those of you who are prospective students, COME TO RICE, it is an amazing place. Also, you can check out the Honor Council website at honor.rice.edu </p>
<p>I hope you all have a great weekend, </p>
<p>Kaleb
Rice Fight Never Die!</p>
<p>My God, they’re everywhere!</p>