Twelve Points
The Twelve Points were a result of a re-ratification of the Honor Code by the Longwood student body in 1930. In 2010 the Twelve Points, as well as the Honor Pledge, were revised in celebration of the Honor System's 100th year of existence. The spirit of Longwood is fostered by Honor; an intangible quality found in each student. The Twelve Points are intended to define the meaning of Honor at Longwood University.
- Honesty
Honesty is the fiber from which any relationship is formed and is crucial to establishing personal competency and leadership. True honesty is practiced at all times, not just when convenient. - Scholarship
Scholarship is the essence of learning and growing, inside and outside the classroom. Like the Honor System, a commitment to academics is a valuable investment that pays dividends to both the individual and the community. - Responsibility
Responsibility is a state of mind whereby we commit ourselves to maintaining our integrity and ensuring that others do likewise. Our honor is tarnished by moments of indiscretion that cannot be reversed. Responsibility is vital to any thriving collegiate community. Without it, the masses succumb to apathy and progress stops. Without responsibility, the community suffers immensely. - Pride
Pride is significant to fighting the effects of apathy. Pride is a personal commitment to excellence and taking joy in one’s actions. Everything we do is a reflection of ourselves and our university; it is essential to make decisions in which we can take pride. - Perseverance
A steadfast persistence in spite of difficulties or obstacles, perseverance is necessary for good scholarship and maintaining one's honor. Perseverance in achieving honorable goals is a quality to be admired. - Potential
As the future of our communities, we hold great potential which we are obligated to embrace. We must avoid decisions that diminish our potential, because there is nothing more damaging than a dishonorable reputation.
- Character
Each individual has the undeniable right to establish their own character based on personality and life experience. Our combined personalities constitute the character of an honorable community. - Humility
In a climate of honor, humility is important because of the role it plays in grounding ourselves to not believe that we are invincible, but accountable to each other. Humility with self-confidence is hard to achieve, but ultimately desirable. - Integrity
The most encompassing point of our Honor System is Integrity. Integrity is the glue that holds our values of trust and respect together. Personal integrity involves perseverance and establishing a trustworthy persona. Community integrity is the pinnacle of any society, and it is what we strive for at Longwood. For honor is not merely just a personal journey, but a community expectation. - Civility
A courteous and respectful manner towards others, which promotes an atmosphere where one can debate and argue differing points of view without fear of reprisal, civility is the mark of a true scholar. - Leadership
Leadership is a quality required to guide others to achieve. Anyone can lead in a self-serving manner, but as citizen leaders we must strive to lead with honor to achieve higher goals. - Service
In 1927, a Longwood alumna wrote, "I have prepared to lead, and in leading, to serve others." Service to others is the other half of leadership. As citizen leaders, we must fulfill our responsibility to give back to our communities.