Questioning Honor
March 7, 2016
Over the course of five issues, the Phi will cover the beloved Honor System that is synonymous with Washington and Lee. While the Honor System has given most students a feeling of safety and trust on campus dating back to Robert E. Lee’s presidency, no system is perfect. Its ideals—honor, civility, and integrity—have not changed since the system’s inception, but the context in which they are practiced certainly has. This series will cover five different components of the system: an overview of what the system is and who it’s for, the investigation process, confidentiality terms, the Hearing Advisor Program, and the jurisdiction of the Executive Committee relative to other governing bodies on campus. The intention of this series is to educate readers on the purposely vague language of the White Book, which originated nearly two centuries ago, and remains in practice today.
Stories
A look at the honor system: what is it and who’s it for?
A system vs. a code: The Phi weighs in
The investigation process: An honor violation accusation
The investigation process: The Phi weighs in
The Hearing Advisor Program: Who are the hearing advisors and what are their roles?
The Hearing Advisor Program: The Phi weighs in
The Secret System: How the Honor System operates on confidentiality