Academic Integrity

Embedded in the ever-present idea of “moral tone” can be found ideals of academic integrity, one way in which young twentieth-century southern men could show and retain their honor.  Until 1935, students controlled NC State’s honor system, and Hall Morrison—Technician editor and active participant in the Anderson-Sermon hearings—sat on this council.  Morrison testified to the Athletic Council that there seemed to be increased episodes of academic misconduct among athletes in recent years and the honor council tried several members of the football team for issues of academic dishonesty.  In 1935 the NC State administration under Dean Harrelson abolished the student-controlled honor system, which contributed to what one scholar called “an undercurrent of student discontent on campus” in this decade.  This discontent perhaps stemmed from the fact that Harrelson had removed this means of demonstrating and controlling honor and integrity among the student body, as they attempted to integrate ideals of moral and gentlemanly conduct into their lives at school.