Spring Break
StuCo joined by Bader, Weiss
Weiss and Bader have been discussing with each other and the Curriculum Committee how to fashion an honor code that would work within the type of community at Hopkins. According to Weiss, what makes Hopkins distinct from other universities is its "emphasis on research" and its community of "self-initiated learners." Weiss believes that the lack of an honor code is "antithetical" to such a community. Bader referred to the competitive and "suspicious culture" on campus.
"There is a suspicion, even if it's not a reality, that the person sitting next to you has an unfair advantage-we are trying to disrupt that," said Bader.
The deans would like to form a working committee, which would consist of professors from each school, undergraduate students and graduate students, and would be chaired by both Bader and Weiss. The committee would examine honor code models from other communities, and find what Bader describes as "[a system] that sits well with you in the sense that you are likely to believe in it, and that challenges you to a higher standard than you might expect."
Student Council members raised various suggestions and concerns, focusing on the need for adequate student input and for a clear definition of cheating.
"The push needs to come from the students," said Senior President Stephen Goutman, who also suggested that the committee work to change the way cheating is discussed within the student body.
Members also raised concerns over the ambiguity and the broad-reaching scope of cheating, pointing out the different natures of cheating in different types of classes.
Bader expressed that it would be "impossible to detect all forms of cheating." He feels that a better approach would be to change students' attitudes towards it. According to Bader, "refining peoples' consciences" would be easier and more effective than using "enforcement mechanisms."
Although the committee is still in its earliest phases, it plans to meet next week. As a working committee, each of its members will be analyzing the honor systems of various universities. Weiss and Bader are discussing with student council members a strategy for getting input from the average student. Both predict that the process will be lengthy, but expressed confidence in its importance and value.
"Learning is facilitated most readily in a community in which everyone is responsible for himself," said Weiss.
In regards to the competitive nature of the Hopkins community, a concern raised by council members, Bader predicts that an honor code could keep the competition in perspective.
"Competition is healthy if handled properly. One of the ways to do this is to make it more ethical," said Bader.
On the rest of the Student Council's agenda were issues from last semester and Intersession, as well as from the start of the spring semester.
Homewood Student Affairs (HSA) has been making headway in its efforts to provide additional student services. In regards to providing wireless Ethernet access and data jacks in the library, HSA hopes to be registering students by March. While students would have to pay a fee for this service, the committee is working on getting subsidized by the fall term. HSA is also moving ahead with plans to lower guest rates at dining halls and is looking into the possibility of providing a block meal plan at Levering. Phone service changes are also expected, with lower prices and possibly individual accounts. In addition, students will have the option of purchasing cell phones from Cingular at a reduced price.