"The honor system's roots were with students, its continuance has been because of students, and its future lies with students."
By day, Economics Professor Kenneth Elzinga provides excellent instruction to nearly a thousand students each semester and by night, he opens his home in Pavilion IV to students coming to gather Elzinga's wisdom and his wife's famous brownies.
Elzinga attests that the backbone of these successful relationships with students relies on the provisions of the honor system.
"Conversations with students are more honest, and consequently more congenial, because of the spirit of trust and respect the honor system helps foster."
As a professor, Elzinga also holds himself accountable to the tenants of the honor system. "I would be cheating my students if I did not endeavor to teach them well, serve them faithfully, and accord them respect, even honor."
But Elzinga confesses that the part of the system that appeals to him most occurs beyond his reach as a professor.
"The honor system's roots were with students, its continuance has been because of students, and its future lies with students."