Judge Ward leads honor code oath during Cooley orientation

Judge Cynthia M. Ward, 54-A District Court, and former WMU-Cooley assistant dean, administered the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School honor code oath to incoming law students on May 2. During each orientation program, all entering students, faculty and staff take the oath, which states, "I promise not to lie, cheat, steal or plagiarize, and I promise not to tolerate people who lie cheat steal or plagiarize."

Before administering the honor code, Judge Ward spoke about how being ethical is critical to both attorneys and law students. She discussed the importance of protecting one's reputation and standing for integrity.

"Not every student can get the best book award in Contracts, because there can only be one student," said Ward. "However, every student can get the award for excellence in ethics and doing the right thing and that is as important as grades."

In addition to Ward's presentation, Assistant Dean Mable Martin-Scott spoke with law students about conduct during law school.

"Cooley has a code of conduct that students must follow and it is my job to enforce it. There is no such thing as alternative facts or half truths and we expect each student to be accountable for their conduct."

Published: Tue, May 07, 2019