Cade Cypriano, Student Government Association president and political science senior, has written the first draft for a proposed Loyola University Student Honor Code.”This is a code founded on defined principles of academic integrity and conduct expected of a Loyola student that is enforced by students, for students,” Cypriano said. “Through the creation of “positive learning and living environments” Cypriano believes that students will conduct themselves more honestly and respectfully because of the improvement in standards.

Students would be required to sign an “Honor Code Pledge” when they enroll at Loyola. Upon doing so, it will be assumed the student has read, understands and agrees to uphold the honor code.

In the draft’s statement of purpose, Cypriano writes that the Honor Code is based on the integrity of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

While the university’s Academic Honesty Policy already covers general conduct, the Honor Code would elaborate on those policies.   

For example, a Loyola student would no longer be able to submit the same or “essentially the same” work or project for credit in more then one course without the involved instructors consent. Amy Polansky, pre-med biology sophomore said, “that wouldn’t be fair because you can’t plagiarize your own work. Why should you have to research a subject twice, especially when you have already formulated an opinion on the topic the first time.”

As a provision of the code, students cannot “knowingly give false information, refuse to give information, refuse to testify, or otherwise refuse to cooperate,” in any portion of the formal investigation procedures of a potential violation hearing, which falls under the codes category titled “Refusal to Cooperate.” Only one other school in the New Orleans area maintains a bylaw in their honor code restricting a student’s right to remain silent during Honor Board proceedings – the Loyola University College of Law. Mollie Regozin, psychology senior said that this portion of the honor code “was a blatant infringement of our rights under the Fifth Amendment and is unconstitutional.”

The new honor code also punishes students who fail to report as witnesses to violations of the code.

In terms of honor code proceedings, this means every student that suspects an honor code violation is obligated to file a complaint. Complaints must be delivered to the SGA President, University Judicial Officer or Vice President of Student Affairs within 15 business days of the violation.

In order for the investigation committee to file an official report, at least two members of the committee must agree the complaint merits a violation. The SGA Chief Justice will then provide the charged party with a copy of the investigative report. The investigation of a complaint cannot last longer then 15 days after its initial filing, however, the Chief Justice does have the power to extend investigation time for “extraordinary circumstances,” according to the drafted document.

The Chief Justice decides the time, date and location of the hearing through written notice to all parties. After receiving written notice, the hearing will proceed and judgment may be rendered, regardless of a charged parties failure to appear. Jo White, pre-med sophomore, said he “agrees that the hearing should proceed with out (the defendant). It was mutually decided time, and if I don’t show up and give them no notice, the other parties involved should still be able to get the process over with. Enforcing that the charged parties show up is a legitimate rule.”

Cypriano said that with the new Honor code, he could “build a culture, or a trusting environment for students, rather then mandated rules that have to be policed by the university. It would allow students to hold themselves responsible, as well as accountable.”

Stephanie Pawlik can be reached at [email protected].