Dear Alumni and Friends,

Recollections of law school usually include memories of the examination process and blue books. While the basic elements of examinations remain the same, the method by which we administer them has changed greatly. These changes mark a more significant substantive development at your law school. Let me explain:

Two years ago, we adopted a new honor system for the School of Law. This followed a year of deliberation, cooperation and decision-making by the faculty and the student body, all of which culminated in a faculty and student vote to adopt a new Honor Code.

The philosophy of the Honor Code is instructive:
Acceptance to Saint Louis University School of Law represents the first step toward participation in the legal profession. Membership in the student body, and ultimately in the legal profession, entails a unique set of responsibilities to fellow students, to the law school, to the legal profession and to the public at large. The legal profession demands the highest degree of trustworthiness, honesty and integrity. As future members of that profession, students of the Saint Louis University School of Law are bound to observe the principles that reflect the same high standards that govern the practice of law. This Honor Code sets forth the minimum standards by which the conduct of all students of the Saint Louis University School of Law shall be governed.

The procedural system instituted by the new Honor Code gives students the responsibility of self-governance and self-discipline. Through the leadership of the student Honor Council, and with support of the Executive Board of the Student Bar Association, our students now administer the academic honor system for the School of Law. The assumption of this great responsibility by law students marks an important step in the development of professionalism. I am very proud of our students. They have earned our trust and they have shouldered a most important responsibility.

The implementation of a student-administered Honor Code made it possible to take another step: self-scheduled examinations after the first year.

Within the constraints of the examination period, our upper-class students now have the freedom to construct their own examination schedules. Self-scheduled examinations require honor, integrity and responsibility — principals that will define our students as they enter the legal profession.

This process promotes an atmosphere of trustworthiness and integrity — and holds our students to the highest ethical standards. It is another fine example of the faculty's confidence in our students; it is also a fine example of our student's willingness to accept responsibility.

I mentioned above memories of blue books, long the signature symbol of the exam process. As technology and education intersect, the days of blue books fade into history. Most students now take their examinations on laptops. When they finish, they send their answers electronically to our Student Services Office. The examinations are then downloaded and delivered to the faculty. I could not have imagined such a procedure when I attended law school in the 1960s. Welcome to the modern law school!

This message would not be complete without my expression of gratitude for the wonderful support we continue to receive from our alumni and friends. Every aspect of our students' educational experience is enhanced by your support. Your willingness to advise our students, to hire our students and to support their education with generous monetary gifts is greatly appreciated.

With hopes and wishes that the year 2009 will be good to you.

Yours sincerely,

Jeffrey E. Lewis
Dean and Professor of Law