History of the Honor Board:

The Honor Code was approved by student vote on January 9, 1912. Today, nearly a century later, the Code continues to shape the distinctive culture of the College. Barnard is the only undergraduate college of Columbia University that has an Honor Code. Barnard students enrolled in Columbia courses are bound by the Code, as are Columbia students enrolled in Barnard courses.

The original language of the Code has been for the most part retained and its spirit essentially preserved. In 1986, the Code was modified to acknowledge that academic integrity necessarily extends to respect for library materials.

More changes have occurred in the implementation of the Honor Code:

  • While Barnard students may report infractions of fellow students, they are no longer required to do so.

  • Exams are now proctored.

  • The composition of the Honor Board has changed. In the past, the Honor Board comprised only students, assisted by an Officer of Record. Since 1970, the Honor Board has been a partnership of students, faculty members, and administrators.

  • Based on a recognition that academic integrity requires active commitment by all members of the community, the Honor System has evolved from focusing primarily on the responsibility of students to a system involving shared responsibility.