Princeton University faculty voted to require proctoring in all in-person exams, reversing an 1893 policy.
The change came after “significant numbers” of students and faculty requested it, citing fears of widespread cheating made easier by AI.
A student newspaper survey found 30% of Princeton seniors cheated, with less than 1% reporting violations.
For more than a century, Princeton University prided itself on an honor code so revered that proctoring during exams was banned. Students’ pledge not to cheat was enough.
Those days are over—largely because of AI.
On Monday, faculty voted to require proctoring in all in-person exams starting this summer, reversing a policy set in place in 1893 when Princeton introduced its honor code. The change came after “significant numbers” of undergrads and faculty requested it, “given their perception that cheating on in-class exams has become widespread,” according to a letter from Michael Gordin, Princeton’s dean of the college.