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Princeton mandates proctoring for in-person exams, upending 133 year precedent (dailyprincetonian.com)

391 points by bookofjoe · 108 days ago · 613 comments on HN

Article summary

Princeton University has mandated proctoring for in-person exams, ending a 133-year tradition of unproctored exams based on an honor system. The decision was made in response to increasing concerns about academic integrity and the use of AI tools to cheat. The new policy requires instructors to be present in exam rooms as witnesses, but not to interfere with students. Proctors will document any suspected Honor Code violations and submit reports to the student-run Honor Committee.

Main themes

  • Academic integrity
  • Honor system
  • Proctoring
  • AI and cheating
  • University policy
  • Student responsibility

What commenters say

  • The introduction of proctoring is a necessary measure to prevent cheating and ensure academic integrity, as the honor system is no longer effective.
  • The honor system is a valuable tradition that promotes personal responsibility and trust among students, and proctoring undermines this culture.
  • The use of AI tools has changed the nature of cheating, making it harder to detect and report, and proctoring is a necessary response to this new reality.
  • The decision to introduce proctoring is a sign of a broader societal problem, where people are more focused on personal gain than on doing the right thing.
  • Proctoring is not a solution to the problem of cheating, as it can create a culture of mistrust and undermine the relationship between students and instructors.
  • The effectiveness of an honor system depends on the culture and values of the community, and Princeton's decision to introduce proctoring reflects a lack of trust in its students.
  • The use of proctoring is a pragmatic response to the challenges posed by AI and other technologies, and it does not necessarily undermine the values of the honor system.
  • The introduction of proctoring is a step towards a more authoritarian and punitive approach to academic integrity, rather than a focus on education and personal responsibility.