The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-29
By woodrow Wilson. IL. De- president of Princeton University.

Hv Courtesy of New York Times:
 ssThe Honor system isythe name giy- er fo inc practice of conducting exami- nations, not under the surveillance or nroctors or of members of the teachins force of the school or college where U prevatls, but under the sei1-dlreclioh sor os Inc pupils themselves, depending Tor xhe prevention of cheating not on the watchful eyes of officers set to detect ff but upon the honorable asprit de corps of the young men or boys who are undergoing the ordeal. The system of experimenting proctors has always and everywhere proved m effectuai If those who take the exam inafions are expected to cheat, and watchers arc set to prevent them. the more adventurous and less sensitive among them, the lazy men who are sharp- witted and those who regard ex- aunfnations as a mere official inquisfto- rial process at best. invented for their 1isnonafort. feel that sort of chal- lenre has been flung out to them to c,rcurnvent their academic masters if fhev can. accept the battle of wits. and eneat with small compunction. Their seoneciences are affected very much as those of travellers returning from Flu rope are affected by the treatment they xaf ak the hands of the customs o1n- riais who first require of them de- .~iaration under oath, and then take it for granted that they have lied and search their language. The only thing aanwua9e that can prevent cheat saf- is strong feeling on fhe part of. the students them- nefVes that 1t Is dishonorable and de- xermination of their own that those who cheat shall not remain among them.
 That feeling must precede the estab- liahfnent of the honor system" The mvstena can not be established by the Faruity of a school or college; it must proceed from the conviction and desire Of the students. It is method or self government Under it every SUI SUI dent of conscience feels bound to take notice of and report any irregulartty on the part of a feilow-ssudent in the exanfnation---report 1t. not to the Fac- ulfv but to his fellow-students. The investigation of the charge is under taken by them, fin ways of their own voluntary adoption; the condemnation or accuIttal comes from them; and It is upon their recommendation that tne student convicted of the offense IS dfsrnfssed by the authorities of the in- mkgtuffon--dismissed as person who mas broken the understandings and fall- an short of the standards Of the inue community. Tn such an atmosphere of- fenses grow very rare indeed and prac-
  voaw he very sure that examinations have been pessed in good faith and that no one has obtained his degree at grad uation by a series of astute decep- lions
 The system was adopted at Prince ton during the session of lsOz-s- adopted by the authorities of the uni wersltv at she request of the under wraduates. The circumstances illus frated in . most interesting way the constitution and life of the place student life has there long been domi- mated by the opinion, what may veIS correctly be called the public opinion Of the undergraduate pooy, m WnIcn each Of the four classes hes always mad rI very complete and efficient organiza- eson under officers of it's own, and has always served as an organ of opinion anN action. The senior class is looked Fsr guidance. It's leading spirits are fhe Governors of the little community Members of the classes of 1903 and 1904 Knowing what had long been the feel 1nw and conviction of every thoughttul student about cheating in examlnatlons and being Of temper to remove all re- proach from the Alma Mater they low ed. took steps, by mass meeting. to in- clude that matter also within the scope of their self government; and the au- fhorftfes If the university gladly put It In Ine1r uhhues WiNh O SS"tA v. the result which has been abundantly justified by the history of the years which have since elapsed. Cheating in examinations has been utterly stamp cd out.
 Such an organic feeling, and suct habits of organic action. among the students seem to be a condition pre- eedent to the success of the honor sys' fern. At Princeton class organization and aelf-government by means of Il necnn to underIie the whole practice as