Princeton University has scrapped its long-standing honour code, requiring exams to be supervised for the first time in over a century, following widespread cheating aided by artificial intelligence. The Ivy League institution's faculty voted on Monday to mandate proctoring for all in-person exams starting this summer, ending a tradition dating back to 1893.
Dean Michael Gordin cited a 'significant' number of undergraduates and faculty requesting the change due to perceptions that cheating on in-class exams has become widespread. The honour code, which allowed students to take exams without a professor present, had been a point of pride for Princeton.
Under the new policy, instructors will be present during exams as witnesses but will not interfere. Suspected violations will be reported to a student-run honour committee. Students will still be required to pledge: 'I pledge my honour that I have not violated the Honor Code during this examination.'
Senior Nadia Makuc, who chaired the honour committee, said students support the change as it relieves them of reporting classmates. She noted that technology has made cheating easy, with students switching windows on laptops or using phones under desks. A survey of over 500 seniors found that 29.9% admitted to cheating, while nearly 45% knew of violations but did not report them.
English and theatre professor Jill Dolan described the new policy as 'a shame, but it's necessary,' acknowledging the need for updated practices. The move reflects broader challenges across US schools, with 43% of teachers in grades 6-12 using AI detection tools in the 2024/2025 academic year.
