Law School Investigates Cheating

Some law school students at Gonzaga University apparently are finding it hard to be honest.

Law School Dean John Clute says he is investigating several allegations of cheating, but Clute said the problem is no worse than in past years.

Some law students said they are appalled by the ethical and moral standards of some of their classmates.

Reports of cheating follow racist incidents last April in which black law students were sent threatening letters anonymously.

Clute said there is no connection between the racial harassment and the cheating problem, and no reason to believe the law school is having problems attracting students with high moral and ethical standards.

The dean declined to say how many cases of cheating are under investigation. He would not identify the students involved.

Law students said there may be more than six incidents reported. About 550 students are enrolled in the law school.

In a memo to students dated June 6, Clute wrote, “During final exams of this past 1995 spring semester, several instances of alleged violations of the student code of professional conduct were reported.

“A preponderance of these alleged violations occurred in the first year class finals, but some involved other classes,” the memo said.

Students can be expelled for cheating, ending their hopes of becoming a lawyer, Clute said.

One incident reportedly occurred in a contract law class taught by professor Vern Davidson for firstyear students.

Davidson said a hearing will be held to determine whether disciplinary action is justified.

In that case, a student reportedly left the final exam room, and then returned later to answer more questions on the test. The incident was witnessed by a number of students.

Davidson said anyone found guilty of cheating should be drummed out of law school and barred from the legal profession.

“They should not be a lawyer, just as anyone who steals and lies should not be a lawyer,” Davidson said.

The top officers in the Spokane County Bar Association could not be reached for comment late last week, but one practicing lawyer agreed with Davidson.

If a student cannot take a test without cheating, how can a judge or a client trust them, said attorney Gregg Smith.

Some Gonzaga law students said they are concerned the reputation of the school may be slipping.

“It’s going to devalue our degree to come from a school that has racism and cheating,” said one student who asked not to be identified out of fear of repercussions.

“I think they need stronger leadership,” said another student, who didn’t want to be named either.

Last April, four first-year African American law students received copies of a letter signed by the Law Students for a Pure America.

In it, the writer used racial slurs and white supremacist rhetoric. The most disturbing part of the letter was a line in which the writer said the white supremacist Aryan Nations group was being asked for help in “cleaning up” the law school.

Another threatening letter was delivered to the black students two weeks later.

Officials believe another firstyear student is responsible, but they still don’t know who it is, Clute said Friday.

Spokane police and the FBI have been investigating the case, but have not pinpointed a suspect, Clute said.

“People are so disgusted and outraged by it,” he said.

, DataTimes