Ethics Center > Academic and Social Values

Over the past few years, a number of events have led to a re-consideration of the way Lake Forest College promotes academic and social values.   A particularly wrenching case of plagiarism focused concerns about academic honesty judicial procedures, which led to the establishment of a review committee in 2005-06.  Though originally concentrating on approaches to handling violations, the committee also examined ways the College could better elaborate and encourage the values at the heart of the academic enterprise.  Such conversations were advanced by the efforts of a dedicated group of students who sought the establishment of an honor code on campus.  At the same time, the Dean of Students was urging a revision of the judicial procedures associated with her office, and encouraged efforts to develop a unified values statement and code for the campus.

Thus a group, coordinated through the Ethics Center, was established in the fall of 2007 to develop a general statement of the College’s values and to consider an Honor Code for the campus.  Conversations within the group and with faculty, student organization leaders, and student government, led to a draft statement of values and a re-affirmation of the effort to examine the possibilities of establishing an Honor Code at Lake Forest.

CURRENT DRAFT OF HONOR CODE: AVAILABLE FOR COMMENTS


Draft of a General Values Statement (based on campus conversations in 2006-07, to be considered in 2007-08)

The Heart of The Matter: What We Strive For
At Lake Forest College we believe that education ennobles the individual, and we seek an environment in which all members can achieve this goal.  Each member of the College community is expected to demonstrate the conscientious effort, the respect, civility and integrity, and the openness to new ideas and outlooks essential for the quest.

Thus we seek a community in which each member is dedicated to

  • encouraging responsible citizenship, in academic and professional efforts, personal and social interactions, and with respect to the physical environment

  • striving for understanding and enlightenment from active engagement with new ideas and with people of varied backgrounds or those who hold different perspectives and opinions

  • interacting conscientiously and with mutual respect, so that each person’s honest voice is heard and faithfully considered, and conflicts are addressed in a civil, deliberative, and collaborative way

  • challenging oneself to explore varied educational opportunities, in course work, co-curricular activities, and experiences beyond the campus

  • providing mutual support in the quest for excellence, supporting opportunities for all members to develop and to apply their special talents and interests

Next Steps—Call for Volunteers
Further consideration of the general values statement as well as evolving ideas for social and academic honor codes occur in 2007-08.  A number of students and faculty members have agreed to participate in the process of developing proposals and encouraging a broad campus dialogue on the issues.  Any member of the campus community interested in joining the effort is encouraged to contact Lou Lombardi, x5187 or lombardi@lakeforest.edu.

Student Participants      
Kelly Allen        
Noah Dion
Kylie McGonigal        
Phil Miatkowski       
Shruti Pore        
Melanie Quall 
Kathryn Salucka     
Jenna Sasanfar  
Kate Scheinson        
Tracy Schwartz       

Faculty Participants
Carla Arnell
Brent Becker
Nancy Brekke
Jason Cody
Elizabeth Fischer
Linda Horwitz
Jim Marquardt
Jill Van Newenhizen
DeJuran Richardson
Davis Schneiderman
Shelley Sherman
Rand Smith
Cory Stevens
Chris Waugh