PolyHonor

Beginning in the spring of 2017, I worked with students and colleagues to develop what would become PolyHonor. We spent a fair amount of time researching honor codes at schools, colleges, and universities nationwide and found a fascinating mix. Some were downright inspiring, filled with aspirational language and lofty prose. Others hammered home many “do nots” as if honor leapt from the ashes of what you were not supposed to do. And there were a few that were just long and unmemorable. Ultimately, we landed on a framework to guide us once we agreed on using language that was brief, proactive, and optimistic.

Over the course of close to a year, the process continued to unfold, and the wording underwent several iterations to make sure the language and values were familiar to all of us. And it became this:

As a member of the Polytechnic community, I will act to foster inclusion and to promote excellence in all that I do. I commit to approach my decisions with integrity, kindness, and generosity both on and off campus.

As PolyHonor has become established in the fabric of our community, it has served as an essential touchstone for our expectations of ourselves and each other. 

In recent months, I've been struck by the powerful ways these values have come to life within our community. During the devastating fires, I watched our students rally together to support one another. Amid the chaos and uncertainty, they demonstrated real compassion, choosing to stand by their peers and offer help. It was a moment that brought our collective commitment to inclusion and excellence into sharp focus and reminded me of how deeply interconnected we are: when challenges arise, our values guide us not just to endure but to thrive together. The group originally working on the honor code never imagined the role it would play guiding us through such troubled times, but their vision has served us well. 

JWB