New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-08
LABS OF HONOR SYSTEM.
University of Virginia Students Put
Them an Concrete Form.

The University Of Virginia has. since il
founded by Thomas Jefferson, been strong be-
lever in and uphoder Of the honor system So
called In fact this system has been the backbOus
of the student life of the university, and few In
deed have been the violations of il.
During the last session OF the university the stu
dents after considerable debate decided that tho
rules OF the system should be formally drawn I'D
and printed annually in the university paper, This
College Topics" This action taken principally
tor the benefit Of new students who, accustomed 90
different traditions might violate the honor system
before they had been nocuIated with the Univer-
sity's ideas. unwittngly or without realizing
the gravity OF their offence.
II is believed that this is the first time Amert
can university has taken such action. The svS1D
finally adopted follow:
Ffrst-Any one believing that breach OF tho
honor system has been committed SHALL with the
assistance Of such members Of his class as he
may desire to call upon. investigate the matter as
secretly and as speedily possible. After
thorough investigation they shall demand OF tho
accused an explanation of his conduct. II. after
hearing his explanation. or after he has refused
to make an explanation. they are convinced OF his
guilt they shall demand that he leave college az
Second-The accused must then either leave cob
Iege or demand OF the president of his class 70
convene the honor COMMITTEES and Try his case.
Third-The accused may request a public trial
before the committee. in which case the members
Of the class TO which be belongs shall be admitted
together with such friends he may desire. bus
others.
Fourth-In the trial tesore the honor COMMITTEES
there shalt be tT.. counsel one chosen ~by tho
honor committee and the other by the accused.
Fffth-These counsel shall have the privilege os
asking the witnesses questions but only such ques-
tons as viii tend to bring out the facts Of tn,
case. Neither counsel shall be allowed make
an argument. but the accused may say what no
chooses in his own defence.
Sixth-If. after thorough trial before the homer
committee. i've of the six who compose this conn
mittee are convinced OF the guilt OF the accused
and shall so cast their vote in secret ballot tho
accused must leave college Immediately
Seventh-From the decision OF the honor conn
mittee there shall be appeal.
Eighth-The honor committee shall consist OF
the presidents OF the five departments in the uni
versity and the vice-president OF the department.
OF which The accused Is member; and in case os
the absence OF any member OF this committee tho
next highest officer in his department shall act ia
his place. the officers ranking in the following or
der President. v.ce-president secretary and treas
urer. and historian.
Ninth-In the first issue OF Topics each year
shall. be printed a copy OF these rules. and at the
first college hour time shall be devoted 10 sx-
planning the rules and system.
Note.-The registrar OF the university sI.uld 20
notified OF the dismissal OF a student under the
honor system.