Purdue creates honor pledge in an effort to combat cheating

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Purdue University recently adopted an honor pledge created by students that aims to encourage a culture of integrity in response to a perceived climate of academic dishonesty on campus.

The Lafayette Journal and Courier (http://on.jconline.com/2p4ynY5 ) reported the pledge will be part of the admissions process, new student orientation, course syllabuses and a mandatory freshman seminar.

"As a Boilermaker pursuing academic excellence, I pledge to be honest and true in all that I do. Accountable together - We are Purdue," the pledge states.

A 2015 university survey found that students and faculty thought cheating was a widespread problem at the university.

A group of students developed the pledge after researching what other universities use. Although the university already has a code of honor, it's long-winded and doesn't connect with students, said Cameron Mann, a student who helped develop the pledge.

"It's something we're all really invested in because we understand that a Purdue degree is only as strong as we make it," she said. "It's up to everyone that we set the bar high."

The student group included international students to ensure it translated well into other languages, Moon said.

Jeff Stefancic, associate dean of students and head of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, said it was important the initiative came from students.

"This has really been their baby and they've run with it," he said. "I'm a believer that the more student-led and the more student-driven these approaches can be, the better likelihood of students buying into them."

The university is constructing a 40 foot long "Honor Tracks" project which will include words from the pledge.

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Information from: Journal and Courier, http://www.jconline.com