New Students Sign BU Honor Code

Photo courtesy of BU Public Relations Office

As the 2024-2025 academic year kicked off, Bluefield University welcomed new students with a cornerstone of its academic and ethical framework: the Honor Code Convocation.

This significant event marks the start of the freshman’s new journey at BU and symbolizes a commitment to the values that define our institution. 

But why do we have an Honor Code, and why is it so important? At Bluefield University, the Honor Code is more than just a formal document; it is the cornerstone of the university’s academic and personal integrity. The Honor Code is designed to create an environment where intellectual honesty, personal integrity, and respect for others are not just encouraged but expected. Dr. Michael Salmeier, provost of Bluefield University, explained how the Honor Code is deeply intertwined in the university’s Christ-centered mission. 

“Christ has told us he is ‘the Way, the Truth, and the Life,'” Dr. Salmeier said. “Truth, the pursuit of truth, and truthfulness are inherent to being Christ-centered. The Honor Code provides a concrete expression that Bluefield University is a setting in which intellectual honesty and personal integrity are highly valued.” 

Brandy Smith, an assistant professor of education and counseling and a member of the Honor Code Committee, echoed this sentiment, sharing how the Honor Code is designed to uphold the university’s commitment to the highest ideals of personal integrity. 

“Bluefield University has an Honor Code to foster an environment where intellectual honesty, personal integrity, and respect for others are highly valued,” Smith said. “Signing the Honor Code is part of a special convocation celebrating a culture of integrity at BU.”

Dr. Salmeier added that an effective Honor Code establishes clear expectations and serves as a foundational framework for ethical behavior within the university community.

“Every community needs ground rules,” Dr. Salmeier said. “Since people come to our community from many different backgrounds, we cannot assume that everyone knows what our community expectations are like. The Honor Code allows us to display publicly the values we hold in relation to honor, truth, respect, and integrity.”

 Smith added that an honor code is instrumental in creating a supportive learning environment. 

“An honor code is important because it establishes a framework for ethical behavior, academic honesty, and mutual respect,” Smith said. “By upholding the values of truthfulness and respect, the Honor Code supports the university’s mission to develop students’ potential and create a caring community.”

The process of signing the Honor Code is particularly significant for freshmen, Dr. Salmeier said.

“We ask all new student members of our community to sign the Honor Code as a public witness to their commitment to live in the community,” he said. “It is one thing to offer mental assent to an idea – I’m willing to abide by that honor code. It is another to make a physical step by declaring openly that one will live according to the rules of the community.”

 Smith adds that this act symbolizes a formal agreement with the university’s core values. 

“Freshmen are asked to sign the Honor Code as they enter their studies as a commitment to ethical behavior, individual responsibility, and mutual respect,” she said. “Signing the Honor Code affirms their understanding and agreement with the university’s core values and expectations and formally acknowledges their role in upholding the university’s standards of academic excellence.”

 The Honor Code sets forth clear expectations for students, emphasizing integrity both academically and personally. According to Dr. Salmeier, “An honorable person shall not lie or cheat or steal. In all scholarly work produced by community members, academic honesty is inherent and apparent, the work being the original work of the author, unless credit is given through the use of citations and references.” 

Smith elaborates on these expectations, noting that “students are expected to embody the ideals of the Honor Code. They should ensure that all their scholarly work is original or properly cited. Students should avoid engaging in academic dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, or falsifying information.” 

Chris Johnson, the dean of students, reflects on the importance of maintaining these standards. 

“At Bluefield University, we hold a high standard of integrity and congruency,” Johnson said. “The emphasis of honesty and upright character within the Honor Code is reiterated in the Student Code of Conduct and Community Living Standards. The tradition of upholding integrity remains an integral part of the Bluefield University experience.”

The Honor Code at Bluefield University is more than a policy; it reflects the institution’s values and its commitment to creating an environment where integrity and respect are paramount. Through its emphasis on truth, ethical behavior, and mutual respect, the Honor Code plays a crucial role in shaping the university’s community and ensuring that its members uphold the highest standards of personal and academic conduct.

Photo courtesy of BU Public Relations Office