About Us
Princeton's honor system was established by the undergraduates in 1893 and has been in effect without interruption since that time. It has been successful because generations of undergraduates have respected it, and by common agreement have given it highest place among their obligations as Princeton students.
Student obligation to the Honor Code
At Princeton all in-class written examinations, tests, and quizzes are conducted under the honor system. Students receive a copy of the Honor Code Constitution upon matriculation. In addition, a letter explaining the honor system is sent by the chair of the Honor Committee to each newly admitted student, who then signifies by signing the honor system statement that he or she understands and will abide by the conditions under which the honor system is conducted. Final entrance to the University is contingent upon the committee's receipt of this letter. Status as a student "in good standing'' and graduation from the University are contingent upon continued participation in the honor system.
Every student acknowledges the obligation to report any suspected violation of the honor system that he or she has observed. It is the common understanding among Princeton students that, where the honor system is concerned, an individual's obligation to the undergraduate student body as a whole transcends any reluctance to report another student. Thus, under the honor system, students have a twofold obligation: individually, they must not violate the code, and as a community, they are responsible to see that suspected violations are reported.
Examination procedures set by faculty
Procedures during the course of an examination are determined by the faculty member present. Students may not leave the examination room without the specific permission of the faculty member. Such permission must be granted uniformly; that is, if one student is allowed to leave the room, no other may be denied such permission upon request. Students may not take their examinations with them outside of the examination room. Students are advised to sit one seat apart from other students, to refrain from bringing notes and books into the examination room, and if possible, to avoid sitting near those with whom they have studied. Laptop computers as well as hand-held electronic communication devices (e.g., cell phones, Blackberry devices, etc.) are forbidden in final examination rooms. Additionally, students may not wear headphones attached to audio devices during examinations. The faculty member, who is present only briefly to answer questions and to pick up the completed examinations, has the responsibility to make sure the examinations are turned in by students at the appropriate time.
Under the honor system, the students assume full responsibility for honesty in written examinations. Examinations are not supervised. The instructor in charge distributes the examination papers, waits for a short time for any questions, and then leaves the room, returning at the end of the stated period to collect the answer books. On each examination paper, the student writes out and signs the following statement: "I pledge my honor that I have not violated the honor code during this examination.''
Role of Honor Committee
The Honor Committee consists of three current class presidents, three past class presidents, and three undergraduates selected by application from the student body at large. Three additional undergraduates are selected from the student body at large to serve as alternates on the Honor Committee.
Violations of the honor system are the concern of the Undergraduate Honor Committee. When a report of a suspected violation of the honor system is received, the Honor Committee immediately conducts an investigation. If the investigation indicates that it is warranted, the full Honor Committee is convened and a confidential hearing is held. If the student in question is acquitted, all records of the hearing are destroyed. If a student is found guilty, the committee recommends an appropriate penalty to the Dean of Undergraduate Students. Normally, a student found guilty of violating the honor code can expect to be suspended from the University for one, two, or three years. A second offense will result in expulsion. Censure may be added to all penalties to underscore the seriousness of the violation.