One hopes that college environs instill a sense of the importance of integrity—especially academic. Here at Santa Clara, to underscore that point, in 2015 the University inaugurated an official Academic Integrity Pledge for students. But academics present only some of the ethical territory (Cheat on a test? Download a paper?) a college student is forced to navigate. From alcohol abuse, dating apps and the lure of hookups, to discrimination and sexual assault—how do you nurture an ethical self?

To answer that, psychologists Thomas G. Plante and Lori G. Plante wrote Graduating with Honor: Best Practices to Promote Ethics Development in College Students (Praeger). Tom Plante is the Augustin Cardinal Bea, S.J. University Professor and director of the Spirituality and Health Institute at SCU, and wife Lori was a clinical faculty member in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. They also bring experience as parents. Their goal: “Provide a model for imparting the skills of ethical decision-making to college students during a time of great transition, temptation, and unprecedented freedom.”

First-Time Grads

Overcoming all odds due to the pandemic, the Class of ’24 finally get to experience the graduation that they have long been waiting for.

Brain Games

The therapeutic potential of AI-powered brain implants is no doubt exciting. But questions abound about the inevitable ethical ramifications of putting new, largely unregulated tech into human beings.

Sociology, Gen Ed, and Breaking the Rules

Fewer students are majoring in social sciences but they’re still one of the most popular areas of study. Santa Clara sociologists explain why.