This commitment stems from a long tradition of trust and honesty in a community which dwells in the traditions of such great men as George Washington and Robert E. Lee. Under our system, students must not lie, cheat, steal or misrepresent themselves in any way that is considered dishonorable by the student generation involved. Students found guilty by their peers of a breach of our Honor System are permanently dismissed from the University. The Honor System of Washington and Lee is based on the fundamental principle that a spirit of trust pervades all aspects of student life. The spirit of this trust is one of the principle features that makes Washington and Lee a unique educational institution.
Students enjoy unparalleled academic and social freedom.
The system is in essence one of mutual trust trust among students, faculty, administrators, and townspeople that persons attending Washington and Lee will not lie, cheat or steal. We do not think it too much to ask for students to do their own work, represent themselves truthfully, and claim only that which is theirs. No violation of this trust is too small to be ignored, for we understand that honor is not measured by degree. The system is not structured to work against students, but rather for students. It is not structured to frighten honest people, but rather to encourage them.