May 2008
Dear Class of 2012,
It is a great pleasure to be one of the first to welcome you to The University of the South. The next four years will prove to be challenging yet remarkably rewarding. Sewanee is a unique place that will offer you every opportunity for personal and academic growth. For some, you will arrive on the Mountain knowing beforehand what you wish to accomplish. However, I would suspect that the majority of you anxiously await the four years to come, not knowing what life will have in store. Rest assured that you will meet professors and advisors that will eagerly guide you. You will also meet other students from across the U.S. and abroad that will enhance your Sewanee career. Together, these people, the courses that you take, and the experiences you share, will form the foundation of your college experience. I hope that you will take advantage of everything Sewanee has to offer and push your college life to the limit.
As you will soon become aware, Sewanee is a place deeply rooted in tradition. The traditions that make Sewanee so inimitable are the ethical pillars on which all Sewanee students rely. The basic concept of honor is that “one shall not lie, cheat, or steal.” Sewanee’s Honor Code forms the backbone of the University; it creates an environment that instills not only academic truthfulness, but a community of people who share common values and respect one another. The Sewanee standard of honor demands that students carefully consider their patterns of conduct. The Honor Code is not intended as a list of restrictive or punitive rules. It is, as the code states, “an ideal and an obligation.” The Code allows students to enjoy privileges and freedoms that make Sewanee different from other colleges. As students you will enjoy the benefits of the Code, like un-proctored and take-home exams. We do not tolerate anything that breaks the trust inherent in these practices. The actions of each student sustain our shared Honor Code. By declaring your ambition of becoming a student at The University of the South, you are making a commitment to honorable behavior.
Mindful that our honor system requires a strong individual commitment, I realize that you may have questions. As you arrive on campus in August, you will each receive a printed copy of the Code. Additionally, you will have a chance to meet the Honor Council members and hear about common pitfalls amongst first year students. I hope that you will take the opportunity to review the Code before our meetings in August and come ready to ask questions. Please do not hesitate to contact me this summer by e-mail at
cspurloc@sewanee.edu. Along with the Council, my job is to make your transition from high school to college as simple as possible. I welcome any questions, comments, and suggestions that you may have.
I look forward to meeting you on the Mountain. Have a safe and relaxing summer.
All my best,
Chase Spurlock ‘09
Chair, The Honor Council
