Taskforce seeks input for drafts of honor code

By Spencer Ferrell

Mirror Staff Writer
March 7, 2008

Academic Integrity Taskforce (AIT), ASSEMBLE!

Though not a group of superheroes as its name may suggest, AIT hopes Augustana upholds its reputation as a private institution intent on emphasizing its excellence and service.

As reported last fall, AIT includes sophomore Kayla Graber, junior Angela Shubert, senior BryAnn Becker, dean of students Jim Bies and professors Mary Isaacson, David Sorenson and Richard Swanson.

Conversations have been held since 2006 about academic integrity and the implications of its meaning on campus. The team has been working together not only to form an honor code, but also an honor pledge, a guideline for students facing charges, rights for both faculty and students, hearing procedures and an appeals process.

“It is a written affirmation of Augustana’s commitment to excellence and integrity,” Shubert said. “It institutionalizes an academic integrity system - that is to say, the hope is that the final product will make this a fair system that is understood throughout campus.”

AIT does not want the campus to worry that cheaters and academic tricksters are running amok, but wants to prepare students for future challenges and to emphasize the college’s unique academically committed community.

The code has progressed since the first meetings in 2006, from reviewing previous incidents of academic dishonesty to analyzing similar honor codes in colleges like Augustana.

According to Shubert, St. Olaf University (Northfield, Minn.), Concordia College (Moorhead, Minn.), Luther College (Decorah, Iowa), Wartburg College (Waverly, Iowa), Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Wash.) and Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, Minn.) have similar honor codes.

“Students at these schools believe that their honor codes simply relay their identity as an academic community,” Shubert said.

Shubert believes there has been significant deliberation over the code. Equal input from both students and professors is crucial because of the different viewpoints.

A student’s voice and a professor’s opinion are equally respected by the taskforce, as all concerns and ideas are taken into account to develop a well-rounded and respected honor system.

One question remains: What’s next?

The taskforce has already given drafts of the honor code to the Augustana Student Association (ASA), as well as some faculty around campus.

“The next step will be to take input from students, faculty and staff and then present a version to the faculty committee,” Shubert said.

A campus-wide faculty committee meeting will present an opportunity for students and staff alike to offer opinions and see the honor code in its final form for the first time.