School of Applied Sciences

Hattie Wheeler

February 16, 2012

Honoring the School of Applied Sciences

The School of Applied Sciences at the University of Mississippi recently adopted an honor code in March of 2010. The school of Applied Sciences opened in 2001 and never established an honor code. The Dean of the school at the time was Linda Chitwood and she asked certain students to come up with an honor code for all the students to obey. The leaders of each department of the school, known as the President’s council came together to draft the code.

“It is a positive thing that the students came up with it on their own and then brought it to the head faculty to be approved” Assistant Dean, Marie Barnard said.

The President’s Council got together to brainstorm ideas and research key facts to include in the honor code that would help and encourage students. It exposed these students to the school’s curriculum, policies, rules and goals while they worked together to create one main focus. The Council wanted to create a code that would forever be used in the School of Applied sciences and not just a temporary goal.

“The students asked that it apply to faculty, students and staff. We all use it now and it does not only apply to students” Barnard said.

The students are more comfortable with the honor code now that is has been in use for 2 years. The faculty and staff expect the students to abide by the code and apply it to their work in and out of the classroom. It is understood by each student of the school that the honor code is part of the everyday lifestyle when coming to class.

“Faculty puts it on all of the syllabi to enforce it to students, we put it on our website and all of our documents to be reminded of it” said Barnard.

The honor code of the School of Applied Sciences at Ole Miss has changed the way students and faculty approach their tasks and communicate with one another. The honor code was a big step towards making the School of Applied Sciences the best it can be.

“The School of Applied Sciences maintains an expectation of honor and academic integrity in all of its teaching, learning, research, and service activities. All School of Applied Sciences, faculty, staff and students are expected to: Uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in their own work, refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity, and foster integrity and professional responsibility as a part of the University community.”