Dear Class of 2027,

My name is Kaj Knudsen, and it is my privilege to serve as the Chair of the Honor Council. I am thrilled to welcome all of you to Sewanee. Soon, you will embark on one of the most transformative journeys of your life. In just a few weeks, you will discover the beauty of the Domain in the people you meet, classes you take, and adventures you find. As a rising Senior, I can honestly say that these years will be filled with both exhilarating and challenging times. You will grow and learn more about yourself than you can imagine.

Sewanee is a charming, tight-knit community. One of the many reasons that Sewanee is so special is due to the pride we take in our traditions. The Order of the Gown, the “passing hello,” and tapping the roof of your car to collect your “Sewanee angel” are some of the many customs that Sewanee holds dear. Arguably, the most important of all these traditions is the Honor Code. Unlike other university’s honor systems, Sewanee’s Honor Code is written, signed, and enforced solely by students. The Honor Code promotes a culture of freedom and trustworthiness among students.

The Honor Council consists of four seniors, four juniors, three sophomores, and one first-year student, who are elected annually by their respective classes. You will all be eligible to run for the first-year seat during your first semester. Members of the Honor Council are elected to promote the voices of the student body. For each suspected violation, it’s up to the Council’s discretion on whether or not the Honor Code has been violated. If clear and convincing evidence has been found throughout the process, the Honor Code requires the student to serve a penance. Based on the nature of the violation, the recommended punishment ranges from probationary conditions to a two-semester suspension. Any form of academic dishonesty results in a F in the course in order to protect the integrity of our degrees. I assure you that the Honor Council reviews each case with care, empathy, and with thoughtful consideration.

While the Code does set out rules and processes, the Honor Code is much more important as a public affirmation that we all commit to living with honor and integrity. Upon matriculation, you will sign the Honor Code to signify that you dedicate yourself to these ideals. You are committed to this Code until your graduation day. However, I encourage you to think beyond these four years. How will you define honor in your relationships with others and yourself? How will you show respect to the communities of which you are a member? Adhering to the Honor Code is more than simply a promise not to lie, steal, or cheat. Instead, it’s a pledge to take accountability for your actions and show your respect for everyone in this community.

In taking accountability for our actions, we must also take accountability for the knowledge we do and do not have. That said, the use of Artificial Intelligence on any assignment, when not expressly approved by the assigning professor, is a violation of the Honor Code. In the hopes of establishing a more nuanced approach to the issues posed by AI, the Honor Council will be collaborating with groups across campus to further explore the positive roles AI could play in our academic setting.

Before your first days on the Mountain begin, I encourage you to read the Honor Code online. Take some time to reflect on your definition of honor. The Honor Code is not meant to trouble you. Instead, its purpose is to carry you through the many roles you will serve on this campus. You each are on an individual path these next four years, but you and every other Sewanee student will be bound together by one common tradition: the Honor Code. I assure you the Honor Code will carry you beyond these angel-guarded gates.

Please, do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions regarding the Honor Code or the election process at honorcouncil@sewanee.edu. Finally, from the entire Sewanee family, welcome home.

YSR,

Kaj Knudsen C’24

Chair of the Honor Council