This is the first Monday Morning Message of the Fall 2024 Semester. Monday was Labor Day, so the message is being posted today.
“Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.” - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
We strive to be a law school that welcomes and encourages diverse viewpoints but where we share common values. Research shows that when we get better at who we are, we get better at what we do (Better Humans, Better Performance, Peter Rea, James Stoller, Alan Kolp).
So when we welcomed our 195 first year students (the largest 1L class in 15 years, a 99% increase in 1L enrollment since 2016), we administered a pledge about values to all our 1L students.
The Pledge focuses on four core values – Professionalism (“Professional Integrity”), Civility (“Civil Discourse”), Effort (“Academic Effort”), and Justice (“Living Justice”). We are calling it the CSU Law“Four Corner Pledge.” Below is the Pledge.
I gave a presentation about the four core values to the 1L in-person class and Judge Benita Pearson ’95administered the 1L pledge. I gave a similar presentation to the 1L JD part-time online (JDO) class and Judge Michelle Sheehan ’93 administered the 1L pledge. Each 1L student was given a copy of the pledge and a green pledge pin with four circles, each circle representing one of the four core values.
CSU|LAW FOUR CORNER PLEDGE
PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- I pledge, as a law student entering Cleveland State University College of Law, to acknowledge that withthe unique privileges inherent in studying and practicing law come unique responsibilities to myself, the law school community, the legal profession, and society.
- I understand that my commitment to Professional Integrity, Civil Discourse, Academic Effort, and Living Justice begins now.
PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY
- I pledge to conduct myself honorably, ethically, and with integrity as a law student and a lawyer.
- I pledge to be responsive and respectful in my communications with all members of the CSU|LAWcommunity.
CIVIL DISCOURSE
- I pledge to conduct myself with dignity and civility and to treat all people with kindness, courtesy, and respect.
- I pledge to support freedom of speech and diversity of thought and to disagree respectfully, peacefully, and with an open mind.
ACADEMIC EFFORT
- I pledge to take responsibility for my legal education by giving my best effort and to persevere with a growth mindset.
- I pledge to care for my health and well-being.
LIVING JUSTICE
- I pledge to defend and support our constitutional democracy and to further the public’s understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system.
- I pledge to seek opportunities to provide leadership in my community, engage in pro bono work, and bring access to justice for all.
I take this pledge freely and upon my honor.
Throughout this academic year, I’ll be talking about each of these four core values. These values are the guiding forces that whisper in our ears, making us better versions of ourselves, day after day, choice after choice.
Have a great day. Have a great week.
The views and opinions expressed in my Monday Morning Message are solely my own and do not reflect the views and opinions of the law school or the university.
For copies of past messages, please go to this link: Monday Morning Messages
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My best,
Lee
Lee Fisher
Dean, Cleveland State University College of Law
Joseph C. Hostetler-BakerHostetler Chair in Law
1801 Euclid Avenue, LB 138 |Cleveland, Ohio 44115 -2214
216-386-8688 | lee.fishernull@csuohio.nulledu