April 26, 2017

Purdue University adopts student honor pledge

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University has adopted a student-created honor pledge to encourage a culture of academic integrity as this topic continues to be ongoing with leaders in higher education.

Purdue is contributing to the national focus on academic rigor with its honor pledge: “As a Boilermaker pursuing academic excellence, I pledge to be honest and true in all that I do. Accountable together – We are Purdue.”

 “It is our goal that every student will be aware of it and can recite the pledge,” said Trevor Peters, a senior in the Brian Lamb School of Communication. “A Purdue degree is as good as the students make it.”

The pledge will be integrated into the admissions process, Boiler Gold Rush, STAR orientation sessions and COM 114 courses.

“We have been working on this for a year, and the pledge has been supported by Purdue President Mitch Daniels, the Office of the Provost and the Office of the Dean of Students, as well as Purdue Student Government, Purdue Graduate Student Government and University Senate,” said Cameron Mann, a senior majoring in agribusiness and agricultural communication. Mann also is serving as the student trustee on Purdue’s Board of Trustees.

In spring of 2015, Purdue’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities conducted a survey on academic integrity and dishonesty. Eighty-five percent of those surveyed agreed or strongly agreed that academic integrity is important to the quality of their education. The International Center for Academic Integrity reports that 68 percent of undergraduates nationwide admit to cheating on writing assignments or tests.

“This is a student-led initiative, and I am so proud of the enthusiasm and hard work that went into making this a reality,” said Katherine L. Sermersheim, dean of students.

The honor pledge also will have a permanent reminder on campus this fall when the Honor Tracks will be constructed. About 40 feet of track will be placed between Haas Hall and the Psychological Sciences Building, and the honor pledge will be featured on the track.

“The Honor Tracks encourage students to stay on-track and be true to themselves and their university,” Peters said. 

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu 

Sources: Trevor Peters, peter237@purdue.edu

Cameron Mann, mann19@purdue.edu

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