University of Virginia
The University of Virginia provides faculty with the following examples, based on the
statements of long-time faculty members. Faculty may also craft their own syllabus statement:
*Honor System: I trust every student in this course to fully comply with all of the provisions of
the UVA honor system. In addition to pledging that you have neither received nor given aid
while taking your exam, your signature also affirms that you have not accessed any notes, study
outlines, problem sets, old exams, answer keys, or the textbook while taking an exam and that
you have not obtained any answers from another students exam. All alleged honor violations
brought to my attention will be forwarded to the Honor Committee. If, in my judgment, it is
beyond a reasonable doubt that a student has committed an honor violation with regard to a given
exam, that student will receive an immediate grade of 'F' for that exam, irrespective of any
subsequent action taken by the Honor Committee.
*Because of the Honor System at Mr. Jefferson's University, I assume students in this class
will be truthful in their dealings with me and their teaching assistants and will not cheat on their
tests and exams. In the unlikely event that one of you observes an incidence of cheating, I
assume you will contact an Honor Advisor. The Honor System is one of the University's most
valuable assets, making it distinct from most other colleges and universities. I admire the
principle of student self-governance upon which the Honor System rests.
*Honor System: I take the honor code seriously. This means that I expect proper test taking
procedures (including strict adherence to time limits) and for you to report all violations about
which you are aware. Consequently, you are required to sign the pledge - verbatim - on all
examinations. This means that you must memorize the honor pledge. It will expect you to know
the pledge thereafter to receive credit on your exam. Failure to pledge your exam properly will
result in a score of zero on any graded activity. The Honor Pledge is: 'On my honor as a student,
I have neither given nor received aid on this exam.
*Lab Pledge: You are required to write and sign the following honor statement on every paper
you turn in for lab: On my honor as a student, this is my own original work. I did not read or use
work written by a current or former student in this course. Help was limited only to having
students not enrolled in this course read and identify unclear sections.