The Honor Code

In addition to being the oldest private military college in the United States, Norwich University has maintained a reputation for developing leaders of high principle. In keeping with this tradition, University President Major General Ernest N. Harmon, USA (Ret.) in 1951 laid the foundation for a formalized Honor Code at Norwich by commissioning a nationwide study of collegiate honor systems to be conducted by Commandant of Cadets Major General Oscar R. Cauldwell, USMC. Elements of the Honor Codes of West Point, Annapolis, and Williams College were used to form the foundation of the Norwich University Honor Code. The President, Commandant, members of the Senior Honor Society, and other leaders of the Corps of Cadets formulated the structure to administer and maintain an honor code, and with the full support of the Corps of Cadets, the Norwich University Honor Code was officially implemented in the fall of 1951.

The Norwich University Honor Code is based on the principles that a student will not evade the truth, deceive, or tolerate those who do. Stated in even simpler terms, the Honor Code requires that every student conduct himself or herself at all times in a completely honest and forthright manner. The fundamental nature of these principles precludes the necessity of legislating detailed regulations to govern conduct in matters of honor, since a student is either honest or not.