Princeton faculty mandate proctoring for in-person exams, upending 133 years of precedent

Princeton's faculty voted nearly unanimously to require instructor proctoring for all in-person examinations starting July 1, ending a 133-year tradition of unproctored, honor-system-based testing. The change was driven by rising concerns over AI-assisted cheating and a sharp decline in student peer reporting of Honor Code violations — a 2025 senior survey found 44.6% knew of violations they didn't report. Instructors will serve as passive witnesses rather than active enforcers, with suspected violations still adjudicated by the student-run Honor Committee. The Honor Code itself remains unchanged; only the Rules and Procedures of the Faculty and Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities documents require updates.