Essay about Eric Hoover's Honor for Honor's Sake

Written for the New York Times, “Why Colleges Shower Their Students With A's” is made not only for those interested in education, which

On March 8, 1998 an article entitled “Why Colleges Shower Their Students With A’s” written by Brent Staples was published in The New York Times. In his article, Staples discusses his belief that colleges are now rewarding more A’s than ever before and why he believes this is occurring all across the nation. Staples argues that more and more college students are given A’s as a way to encourage high attendance in classes and good evaluations for professors as well as decrease the number of students lost to other universities. While his title catches the attention of readers and his article may look reliable on the outside, a closer look reveals Staples is not capable of proving his argument that students are showered with A’s

Ethics are the principals that build an individual’s character and integrity. It is the code of conduct that a person lives by; it is the way that a person conducts themselves when no one is around. Stealing, lying, and cheating are wrong, yet every day in the workplace these issues occur. Growing competition lends to the need for people to do what they can to get ahead and stay ahead. Ethics are pushed to the side as people try to gain power or to stay out of trouble, all at the risk of tarnishing their character. This same mindset has spilled over into Academia. A student’s desire to successfully earn a degree by any means necessary has caused educational institutions to address these ethical issues by setting policies in place to combat academic dishonesty.

The existence of honor codes has had basis in helping students learn since their inception, but there are still those who object to their very definition. Nearly every institution centered around the education of children has some sort of code of conduct or set of rules in place for the betterment of the students. However, the term ‘honor’ in the title ‘honor code’ is what people can occasionally take issue with, as the term often implies a much more respectful idea. This issue leads one to question the purpose of honor codes. Although honor codes, like that of the school in Tobias Wolff’s Old School, exist for the purpose of bettering the students by ensuring that they all have an equal chance and that they all do their own work, Mr. Ramsey objects to his school’s honor code because he believes in a much more personal and valuable meaning of the word ‘honor’.

The Scottsboro boys were nine African American teenagers falsely accused of raping two white women on a train in Alabama during the year 1931. No crime in American history that never occurred has produced as many trials, convictions, and retrials as the alleged gang rape of two white girls by nine black teenagers did. This tragedy marks a time in the United States where African Americans were not receiving the right to a fair trial and encountering racism because of their skin color. This court case is seen as one of the major examples that one innocent person or in this case many innocent people have been convicted and punished for a crime they did not commit.

Counterfeit academics, counterfeit grades, and in fact, counterfeit universities are the theme of a scathing commentary by one Philadelphia professor. Brent Staples, a long time college professor often writes excerpts for big name magazines like The New York Times. Brent Staples article “Why Colleges Shower Their Students with A’s” is very well written but lacks extensive evidence for some of his emotionally driven statements.

Imagine, a time when law enforcement agents could only watch a criminal walk away. A time when they were unable to return fire in a gunfight. A time when no means for tracking criminals existed. A time when a state line stood as impassible as a great wall for law enforcement. There was a time, when men created legends with their criminal exploits, by name of John Dillinger, Machine Gun Kelly, Baby Face Nelson. They stood unopposed, taking what they wished on a whim. In 1924, a young man, years short of 30, was put in charge of an agency with no bite. By the end of his life, J. Edgar Hoover was the most powerful man in America, at the head of one of the most powerful organizations in America. He held more power than the very presidents of

The conflict of whether or not honor codes should be established has been brought up again due to an increase in cheating and collaborating on tests and school work. Recently, a surplus of students have been caught cheating in unexpected places, like Harvard and the University of Virginia. Those colleges are considering using honor codes to counteract the surge of cheating that has arisen. Although there is currently a cheating problem that needs to be dealt with, incorporating honor codes into high schools and colleges is not the most effective way to solve the cheating problem, and will not solve the cheating problem indefinitely. It is very difficult to change a person’s personality and their morals, no matter what paper they sign, but there are ways to make people’s convictions stronger. One of which is student interaction. Like many people, students have a “follow the herd” nature and want to fit in with the crowd. If many students discourage cheating, the “crowd” may choose to not cheat in fear of being shunned. Student interaction is much more effective than honor codes, and is a much less drastic change.

During the Scottsboro Boys Trial, nine african american boys were accused of raping two white women.(The Trials of “The Scottsboro Boys”: An Account) They had four trials for the case and for the first trial they spent two years in jail.( The Trials of “The Scottsboro Boys”: An Account) Local newspapers were making accusations about the Scottsboro Boys before the trial started.( The Trials of “The Scottsboro Boys”: An Account )While they were in jail, they would only be released from their cell once or twice a week.(The Trials of “The Scottsboro Boys”: An Account) The nine Scottsboro Boys were pending an appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court but while that was going on, the girls admitted that they were not raped by the Scottsboro boys.(The Scottsboro Case: A Timeline) By the time this trial was coming to an end, the all of the Scottsboro boys passed away.(The Scottsboro Case: A

in each case involving imposition of a penalty or sanction, the accused , Christopher Booz, shall have the right to appeal the decision. This appeal is written and shall be delivered to the vice president for Student Affairs, the hearing officers, the adjudicatory body, and the president of the University- within 5 class days following the decision by the hearing officer or the assistant vice president for Student Affairs. As a student, I have not forfeit the right to any appeal or fail to file an appeal within the 5 class day period. This appeal to the vice president for Student Affairs is made on the following grounds: Lack of due process, i.e., when a student can show an error in the hearing; or arbitrariness in finding against the weight of the evidence, lack of substantial evidence, evidence that was not considered or available that would subsequently change the nature of the case.

There are only one percent of rape accusations that are false. Brian Banks could be considered apart of this one percent. This young boy, at the time, was well on his way to a wonderful career. He had just been accepted to the University of Southern California on a four year scholarship, and famed in his high school, Long Beach Polytechnic High, for his incomparable football skills. But, one day, his life would take a turn for the worst. The Brian Banks case and the Crucible were cases that could be considered inequitable because people were falsely accused, people's lives were set back, and chances of living a care-free life were ruined.

The authors establish credibility for themselves using ethos. They state that they are the “presidents of leading American colleges and universities” which effectively demonstrates their integrity as leaders of the nation’s most prestigious institutions. The reputation they assert early in the letter identifies them as highly reliable and upright, thus validating that that their opinions are worth regard. Additionally, the letter is signed by numerous presidents and chancellors of respected schools around America. This helped argue the writers point because their argument was supported by the most respected and intelligent individuals in our society.

Member of the Quiz bowl team (2016-Present), team won 2nd place in the state championship for our district in 2017.

To me, being a part of Florida Southern’s Honors Program would mean more than just adding knowledge to my area of study. To have the opportunity to be a part of this program would mean that I would be able to grow in more than one way. I would take the opportunities to lead in areas such as community service and I would recognize my responsibility to maintain good character as an example for my peers. To be housed with other honors students would give me the chance to meet others with the same drive that I have, even though they may be in a different field of study. Being around others that have passion in their work would push and challenge me to step out of my comfort zone. Knowing that I can help the community while expanding my knowledge beyond typical education, I am guaranteed that I will reach my goals.

U.S. schools and colleges vary from numerous points of view. Some are open, others are independently employed individual; some are huge urban colleges, some are two-yr. group universities, others little rustic grounds. Some offer alumna and expert political stage, others point of convergence basically on undergrad instruction. Each of our more than 3, 000 schools and colleges has its particular and dissimilar mission. This aggregate differing qualities around organizations is one of the extraordinary strength of America's higher instruction framework, and has helped make it the best in the people. Protecting that assorted qualities is key on the off chance that we plan to serve the needs of our just social order.