As a Catholic institution, we the Mercyhurst Prep community (students, their families, the faculty, staff, and administration) are engaged in a value-centered education rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Such an education invites and challenges us to strive for a standard of excellence--a standard which is embodied in the MPS honor code. The purpose of this code is to offer us guidelines for the difficult moral choices that we must make continually in a world of secular values.

The seven pillars of our code are:

• Faith Commitment - We believe that God is the center of our existence and that Christ is our model for truth and compassion.

• Personal Growth - We understand that self-love and self-discipline are essential for our maturity and that independence, as well as interdependence, is the basis of sound relationships.

• Familial Devotion - We realize that family is first and often the important model for living with others in an intimate situation based upon mutual respect and understanding.

• Social Awareness - We acknowledge that all human beings are social creatures who need love and respect to attain their potential. Since all individuals are unique, yet interdependent, we must practice tolerance to allow for the diversity of God's creation, and we must demonstrate a willingness to offer service to our fellow human beings.

• Global Perspectives - We know that individual actions influence the world and its people and that we all must assume the stewardship of this planet.

• Scholastic Pride - We celebrate the MPS community as a place where the members join together in our pursuit of truth, and we feel a sense of pride to be recognized as a member of the MPS community.

• Intellectual Honesty - We trust that the work that individuals submit is their own effort and a reflection of their own thoughts and values, since intellectual honesty is the cornerstone of the academic community.