At Harvard College, the Honor Code is more than just a statement at the beginning of the Handbook – it's a shared commitment to learning with honesty, fairness, and truth. 

As students tackle rigorous coursework and navigate new academic challenges, they need clear expectations—yes, that means actually reading those syllabi—and strong support systems. 

This year, Harvard College is reinforcing both: the Honor Council has expanded its collaboration with the Academic Resource Center (ARC) to provide structured guidance for learning from missteps, and the College is introducing the inaugural Academic Integrity Week from March 31 to April 4, 2025, to spark conversations about ethical scholarship in meaningful and engaging ways.

Since its establishment in 2015, the Honor Council has carefully reviewed and adjudicated potential violations of the Honor Code, addressing cases that range from students facing allegations of improper collaboration on problem sets to citation missteps and unauthorized use of AI tools. Through this work, a recurring pattern emerged: some students who found themselves before the Council struggled with time management, lacked clarity on collaboration policies, or simply overlooked key details in their syllabi. These observations prompted a new approach to address the root causes of academic misconduct.

Last year, FAS Faculty authorized the Honor Council to offer educational programs to students who might benefit from further academic coaching. In response, the Office of Academic Integrity and Student Conduct (OAISC) partnered with the Academic Resource Center (ARC) to design a coaching program aimed at empowering students to become independent, self-regulated learners. This program engages students in a systematic cycle of goal setting, strategic planning, and reflection.

The Academic Integrity Coaching Program aims to both help students adopt a growth mindset and develop essential skills to prevent future Honor Code infractions. It provides resources for time management, clarifying Faculty rules on academic integrity, and building effective study habits. The program also offers guidance on how to approach problem sets, midterms, and final exams with confidence. Students learn to identify and resolve potential misunderstandings before they escalate into violation territory. 

By combining the Honor Council's thorough review process with the supportive framework offered by ARC, Harvard fosters a learning environment where the focus is on authentic academic growth. For students, these programs serve as both a corrective measure in response to misconduct and a preventive resource for building lifelong habits of responsibility, respect, and integrity.

To further this commitment, Harvard College is launching the inaugural Academic Integrity Week, an initiative designed to celebrate and reinforce the principles of academic honesty. Through interactive events, workshops, and discussions, students will have the opportunity to engage with faculty, peers, and academic experts to explore real-world ethical dilemmas, learn best practices for academic success, and gain insights into maintaining integrity in an evolving academic landscape.

Qussay Al-Attabi, Assistant Dean at the College who serves as Secretary of the Honor Council, celebrated the launch of the event, saying, "At Harvard College, integrity and honesty aren't just values—they're our core. The Academic Integrity Week is a momentous initiative that offers an invaluable opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to engage in meaningful dialogue and reflection on the essential principles of honesty, fairness, and truth. Together, we can foster a culture of integrity that enhances our educational experience and prepares our students to become ethical leaders in society."

Learn more and get involved by visiting Academic Integrity Week—because every member has a role to play in fostering a community where academic excellence and ethical scholarship thrive.