The honor system applies to every student who is enrolled at the University of Mary Washington. Accordingly, every student shall be required to verify acceptance of the honor system by signing the following Honor Pledge:
“I, as a new member of the University of Mary Washington community, pledge not to lie, cheat, or steal and to actively contribute to a community of trust. I understand that honor is a way of life at Mary Washington and that my words and deeds impact the lives of others. As a Mary Washington student, I therefore promise to hold myself to the highest standards of honesty and integrity in all that I do and say.
I further pledge that I will endeavor to create a spirit of honor, both by upholding the honor system myself and helping others to do so.”
Registration as a student at the University of Mary Washington obliges a student to abide by the Honor Constitution. Each student will sign the Honor Pledge before classes begin, in accordance with the Honor Council’s procedure. This is a symbol of each student’s willingness to accept the honor system as a way of life at the University of Mary Washington. The ultimate responsibility for signing the Honor Pledge rests with the student.
In order to reaffirm commitment to the Honor System, the student shall write out in full and sign the following pledge on all quizzes, examinations, papers, and other assignments, as appropriate:
“I hereby declare upon my word of honor that I have neither given nor received unauthorized help on this work.”
This pledge verifies that the work submitted is the student’s own and has been done in accordance with the requirements set forth by the instructor.