SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- When members of Wittenberg's Class of 2007 were welcomed to campus Aug. 25, they started a new tradition that can serve them far beyond Commencement Day.

They had the opportunity to sign the Honor Statement, developed by students and faculty over the past two years. Faculty and students are asked to sign the statement, which signifies a promise to abide by the requirements of the Wittenberg Code of Academic Integrity.

The statement reads: "I affirm that my work upholds the highest standards of academic integrity at Wittenberg, and that I have neither given nor received any unauthorized assistance." The Student Senate endorsed the code and its statement in the spring.

The code is part of a comprehensive program to challenge academic dishonesty and promote greater accountability and trust among all members of the academic community, according to Scot Hinson, associate professor of English.

"This is part of an effort to ensure that we have an environment where cheating is seen as hurting the (offending) student and violating the trust of the entire Wittenberg community," Hinson explained.

The Honor Council, which currently includes nine students and six faculty members, will administer and enforce the code. The council also sponsors workshops and a seminar on academic integrity. One workshop assisted colleagues in designing courses that encourage academic integrity in the classroom. The council also intends to provide a series of speakers to campus.

The university is proud of its code of academic integrity as an effective means of promoting collaboration, fairness, trust and respect, Hinson said. "Signing a pledge to abide by the code gives each of us a meaningful, visible way to affirm our academic integrity to ourselves and to each other."

"The value of a college degree depends on it reflecting the true achievement of each individual. It is important for us as a university to assure our students that is true."