The Princeton administration has announced that, despite the recent passage of a referendum on the Honor Code, they will not amend the Code to remove its stipulations about sexual honesty. Phillip McElrond, who became the face of the referendum campaign, says of his contested trial, “My girlfriend turned me in because my oral technique was ‘too similar’ to my friend’s. I certainly didn’t take those moves from him— in fact, I’m pretty confused as to how she was able to make that accusation in the first place.” James Schuler, whose cunnilinugus techniques were allegedly stolen, commented, “I work hard to develop my sexual repertoire and I’ll be damned if someone else is going benefit from my hard work.”
“It’s important for students to have a clear understanding of what’s at stake if they abuse the system,” says Honor Committee member Jessica Reeve. “The Princeton Constitution mandates a zero tolerance policy on claiming other people’s sexual work as your own.”
Currently, the Honor Code dictates that immediately following sex, each participating party must proclaim, “I pledge my honor that I have not violated the Honor Code during this intercourse.” After completing an act of oral sex, the participants must write the following on the other’s genitals and sign his or her name: “I pledge my honor that this fellatio/cunnilingus represents my own work in accordance with University regulations.”
Perhaps one of the most controversial parts of the current Honor Code system is the ability of members of the Honor Committee to go ‘undercover’ in order to suss out sexual dishonesty. Said McElrond, “It’s pretty disturbing to finish a night in bed only to have your partner rip off their flesh mask to reveal themselves as a convincingly-disguised member of the committee.” Reeve responded that the Honor Committee is “simply trying to maintain order.”
Students also took umbrage with the harsh punishments for sexual dishonesty that are currently mandated by the Honor Code. For first-time offenders, the punishment is a one, two, or three-year stint with a mandatory chastity belt, the key to which all nine members of the Honor Committee wear around their necks at all times. For repeat offenders, the punishment is immediate expulsion followed by public execution.
– AC ’21
