Class 05/06:

As set forth in the Kellogg Honor Code, this email is meant to provide an annual overview to the Kellogg Community for academic year 2003-2004.  While this communication piece has not been used in the last three academic years, the current Honor Code Committee is attempting to provide greater awareness of the Honor Code at Kellogg.

Key accomplishments (2004)

Holding biweekly meetings, last year the Honor Code Committee:

§ Conducted a massive market research study with full-time students and faculty to measure perceptions of the Honor Code and to gain a better insight into the code’s efficacy.  The executive summary of this research project is attached.  The entire survey results will be posted on the Honor Code website shortly.  Additionally, key findings from this survey continue to guide our efforts (see below for more info);

§ Conducted a review of the Kellogg Honor Code to determine if modifications were required.

Trials and sanctions

Five Honor Code related cases were brought before the Honor Code Committee last academic year; two of these five cases went to an Honor Code hearing.  During each Honor Code hearing, the eight students who were randomly selected from the full-time student body determined that honor code violations did occur in each case, and recommended corresponding sanctions.  The proceedings involved the following situations and recommended sanctions:

§ One case involved a student who continued working on a final exam at length after the professor had announced the exam period was complete.  When confronted with the accusation, the accused voluntarily admitted to violating the Honor Code by seeking an unfair advantage over other students.  The student hearing panel recommended the accused receive a zero on the exam and write a letter of apology to the Kellogg community.

§ One case involved plagiarism for an academic paper submitted to a professor.  The student hearing panel recommended that the accused party receive a zero on the paper.

Dean Jain has approved all sanctions in the cases above.

Please note: While these trials provide insight into actions recommended by student hearing panels, due to confidentiality, they do not provide details required to determine if a violation occurred nor do they provide insight into the thought process during sanctioning.  The outcomes in the cases described above are not considered binding precedent in future Kellogg Honor Code cases.  All Honor Code cases are unique and the student panel recommends sanctions solely based on the details and circumstances surrounding each particular case.  For reference, the Kellogg Honor Code can be located at: http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/stu_aff/policies/honorcode.htm

Goals for 2005:

§         Increase communication with the student body, including various monthly communication pieces that highlight the Honor Code’s benefits as well as potential situations involving the Kellogg Honor Code;

§         Increase communication and visibility among Kellogg faculty;

§         Create education deck for international students who may be unfamiliar with student administered honor codes in academic environments;

§         Review the Honor Code for potential modifications and updates;

§         Conduct a complete overhaul of the existing Honor Code website.

As always, should you have any questions or concerns about the Kellogg Honor Code, please do not hesitate to contact your Honor Code Committee members.

Enjoy your winter quarter!

Sean Eddy, Co-Chair

Steve Aldridge, Co-Chair

Pete Andrews, Second Year Representative

Alex Hoffman, Second Year Representative

Michael Clark, 1-Y Representative

Taira Hall, First Year Representative

Ashley Lawrence, First Year Representative