Monday, June 15, 2015

Matthew Smith – Week 1 – Student Honor Code Office


Activities:
·         Introduction to the office.
·         Discussion on plans/timeline for working on development and implementation of online educational remediation course for individuals that violate the Student Honor Code.
·         Began familiarizing myself with documents, policies, and procedures of the office.

Reflection on Practice: 
This week I began my practicum experience with my first “official” day in the Student Honor Code office. Upon arriving, I met with Blaire Wilson, the Student Honor Code Coordinator (and whom I will be working most with during my time in the office). She was beyond helpful, and after briefly introducing me to the different staff members in the office we discussed some general plans regarding the project they wish for me to work on during my time there. They are in the process of developing and implementing an online educational course that would be given to via myCourses to students found in violation of the Student Honor Code.   In order to gain some broad, general knowledge about the office and the Honor Code, Blaire suggested I read through the Student Honor Code and the Academic Operating Policy and Procedure (AOP). The AOP is the document detailing the enforcement of the Honor Code. Going through these has given me an appreciation of how serious Mississippi State University takes the honor code, and how carefully they consider the impact this code and this office can have on the lives of students.

Reflection on Theory:
The theory that most readily came to mind for me was the ACPA/NASPA professional competencies (2010). Given that this is one the major documents in our field, I am not surprised that several sections from this are applicable to this office. In particular, the advice found under the sections “Ethical Professional Practice” and “Law, Policy, and Governance” both contain multiple benchmarks I will strive to achieve (or maintain if I feel I am already achieving them) as part of my overall experience in this office.

References:

ACPA & NASPA (2010). Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Practitioners

1 comment:

  1. Matt, I think it's interesting to review documents that validate the academic integrity of the school. I illustrates the other academic obligations that are "outside" of the classroom because these are rules that we as students have to follow. But in thinking of this kind of academic obligation, I wonder if undergrad students recognize the importance of these policies. As a grad student, research and coursework are more concentrated in the field where as an undergrad student, your research and classwork are introductions into subjects. To us as grad students and beyond, we have to think about the repercussions of violating these policies because we are more closely associated with academic integrity.

    In terms of your theory association, I could definitely see how ethical professional practice and law policy and governance are applicable to the experiences you've had in the Honor Code. I would say for next time, expound on why you think these or other theories are applicable to your experience. I would like to see what you've associated with these competencies to the efforts of MSU's academic integrity and its policies. It will illustrate how you can make the connection between coursework and fieldwork.

    By Jasmine Jennings

    ReplyDelete