Honor Council

Honor Council Catechism

1. What three specific offenses violate the spirit and purpose of the Honor System?
   Answer: Lying, cheating and stealing.
   
2. By what method can these offenses best be prevented?
   Answer: A system under which the students themselves assume the responsibility for fair play. This is known as the Honor System
   
3. If an offense occurs, is it the primary responsibility of the Honor Council to detect and report it?
   Answer: No.
   
4. Whose responsibility is it?
   Answer: It is the primarily responsibility of every individual in the student body and faculty.
   
5. How can the student body best prevent lying, cheating and stealing in the school?
   Answer: First, by having each student "play the game" as a sportsman should. Second, by making known to the Honor Council any offense or suspicious circumstance.
   
6. What is the difference between "tattling" and reporting an Honor System offense?
   Answer: "Tattling" is telling on a boy for some minor offense. It is done in bad spirit and is intended to harm the boy reported. Reporting an Honor System offense is a duty and responsibility of all. It is necessary to uphold the honor and maintain the spirit of the students and the school.
   
7. How serious is failure to report an Honor System offense?
   Answer: Failure to report an offense should be regarded as an offense in itself, as it violates the spirit of the Honor Code.
   
8. Is there any possible benefit to the boy reported?
   Answer: Yes. (a) It will give him a chance to clear himself, if he is innocent. (b) It may save the boy from future dishonorable acts by correcting him if he is guilty.
   
9. If everyone knows that Honor System offenses will be reported to the Council, what effect will this assurance have on the students?
   Answer: (a) It will make every boy feel that the Honor System is working and will increase respect for it. (b) It will prevent boys from committing offenses.
   
10. Of what boys is the Honor Council composed, and how are they chosen?
    Answer: The Honor Council is composed of representatives of each class, chosen by each class, and elected by secret ballot.
    
11. What are the duties of the Council?
    Answer: (a) To investigate every case reported; (b) to clear a boy if he is innocent and to recommend procedure if he is guilty.
    
12. Is the use of electronic communication devices of any kind, including cellular telephones and Internet access devices, permissible in class during quizzes, tests, or any project to be graded?
    Answer: No. Such unauthorized use is considered prima facie evidence of cheating and will be so considered by the Council.
    
13. Is a boy necessarily expelled from school if he is found guilty of an Honor System offense?
    Answer: A boy found guilty of an honor violation shall be subject to dismissal from school. Each case, however, is judged on its own merits.
    
14. What are the conditions resulting in expulsion?
    Answer: The second honor violation or the seriousness of the offense are such conditions.
    
15. If a boy is heard to complain that cheating is going on in the school, what action should be taken?
    Answer: He should be brought at once before the Council: (a) to give evidence in support of his statement; (b) to give reason for the statement, or if he has no reason, to apologize.
    
16. If a boy is expelled for an honor offense, is this fact made public?
    Answer: For the sake of the boy's future, and out of consideration for his parents, that is not done.
    
17. What is the wording of the pledge put on test and examination papers?
    Answer: On my honor, I have neither given nor received aid on this test.
    
18. Is a test or examination paper considered pledged if the above pledge is not specifically given?
    Answer: Yes. All tests and exams are under the Honor System and a boy's signature to such paper signifies that he has neither given nor received help.
    
19. Why is the pledge written out on each test?
    Answer: To call attention repeatedly to the Honor Code and to reinforce the idea every time a test or exam is taken.

Honor Council Representatives