The Honor Committee at University of Virginia is the nation’s oldest student-run council, and by signing its Honor Code students stipulate that they will not lie, cheat or steal. As the school year nears completion, Nick reflected on Honor’s role at school, the tough year behind them, and the rewards of participating in campus leadership.
Q: How has this year been different from your other years at UVa, and how has it challenged you as a student body leader?
This year has been more tragic and trying than any year I’ve been here, or that anyone (including faculty and administrators who have been here for 30+ years) can remember. This year has challenged every student, but student leaders in particular have had the added challenge of representing the University in the national spotlight. Much of the internal and external student response––particularly following the Rolling Stone article and the Martese Johnson incident––was organized and implemented by the student leaders of various student groups.
Q: Has the Honor Committee grappled with questions about campus sexual assault? Do you think the Rolling Stone story damaged the ability to have constructive dialogue and move forward on the issue?
Honor as an organization cannot adjudicate cases of sexual misconduct due to Title IX and other restrictions, though the Honor Committee does exist in part to promote community values that are very relevant to the issue of sexual assault. Honor also works to actively support the various student peer advocacy groups and the new Green Dot program. The Rolling Stone article certainly initiated a lot of constructive dialogue in the wake of its publication, and while the story has been retracted, I think at the very least many more students are aware that sexual assault is a serious issue at U.Va. There are also more resources available now than ever to support advocates and survivors. I think it’s probably too early to tell whether the story’s retraction has damaged the ability to continue fostering constructive dialogue about the issue.
Q: The Honor Code and honor system at UVa are steeped in deep tradition How do you keep relevant to the student body core values such as lying and cheating, which might seem antiquated in the face of more “serious” problems?
While lying, cheating, and stealing are certainly not the most serious problems on grounds, they provide the foundation for the idea of a greater “community of trust” at U.Va. The community of trust is the idea that U.Va. students can trust one another without hesitation because we live by basic tenants of honor. This idea is the reason the honor system at U.Va. remains important––even though it is steeped in deep tradition, the underlying values and conception of a community have relevance in the face of all the more “serious” problems.
Q: What would you say to incoming college freshmen who are contemplating becoming involved in campus life and leadership? How has it impacted your college experience?
My involvement in student leadership and campus life has been the most rewarding part of my college experience, and it has taught me many things that will stick with me well beyond my time at U.Va. To incoming college freshmen, I would give two pieces of advice. One is that there are many ways to be involved in campus life and leadership. You don’t have to be Honor Chair or Student Council President to leave a deep impact on your university. My second piece of advice is that if you choose to get involved in student leadership, you should do it for the right reasons. I sought a position of leadership in Honor because it is something I truly believe in. But it is easy to be enamored by the desire for recognition, and if you get involved just to be a big man on campus you’ll quickly find that you’re in for a long year.