City recognizes U. Honor Council effort

The University Honor Council was supposed to host a special guest by the name of John Street on Friday afternoon. But the Philadelphia mayor was unable to attend because of the ongoing school strike, so the organization -- charged with publicizing ethical issues within the Penn community -- settled for a visit from one of his assistants instead. The event, held in Houston Hall's Golkin Room, capped off the Honor Council-organized Academic Integrity Week. Before a crowd of about 70 students, parents and administrators, Street assistant Nancy Morgan presented University President Judith Rodin with a proclamation recognizing the University's efforts to promote academic integrity. The ceremony began with introductory words from Honor Council Chairwoman Rikki Tanenbaum, flanked patriotically by the U.S flag, the Pennsylvania state flag and the Penn flag. The goal of Academic Integrity Week, the College senior explained, was "to promote academic integrity in Philadelphia's high schools and colleges." "We're delighted that [Academic Integrity Week] is city-wide and that the mayor was able to get involved," Tanenbaum said before the event. Rodin spoke next about the "power of integrity" and congratulated the Honor Council for working toward changing Penn's culture in a positive way. "I'm delighted to accept this proclamation and I'm extremely proud of our students," she said. The Proclamation Plaque will most likely be placed in Houston Hall, one of the busiest campus hubs, to keep attention focused on academic integrity issues even though the week is now over. And Morgan, speaking on behalf of Street, extolled the importance of academic integrity. "Academic integrity cannot be bought or sold in a dot-com world," she said. "It must be earned." After the presentation of the proclamation, a reception was held to give students the opportunity to meet Rodin and the officials from the mayor's office. Friday's event marked the conclusion of the first-ever Academic Integrity Week, a five-day period filled with activities and high-profile speakers, including tobacco industry whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand and the head of the U.S. Center of Academic Integrity, Don McCabe. The events were designed to introduce the average Penn student to issues faced by students and business people alike. The reactions to the week and to the closing ceremony were extremely favorable. The Honor Council plans to "make this an annual event and expand it further," College junior and Honor Council member Jeff Berman said. Deputy Provost Peter Conn said, "We are extraordinarily proud of the Honor Council and what is has accomplished this week. The Honor Council under the leadership of Rikki Tanenbaum has taken significant steps forward in directing attention toward academic integrity."