The Creed of Honor is established to emphasize that the profession of veterinary medicine conveys something more than a means of livelihood. The creed should not be construed as an instrument of persecution; rather, it affirms that students in the professional degree program of the College of Veterinary Medicine are a party to society's trust in the veterinary profession to preserve and advance scholarship and to govern itself with integrity. As a veterinary student, I recognize my personal obligations to:

• Conduct myself in a courteous, sincere and unselfish manner so as to develop a relationship of mutual respect among students, faculty, staff, and members of my community
• Develop a feeling of good will and fellowship among the student body whereby my fellows are regarded as colleagues and not as competitors
• Let my demeanor be pleasant and to submit my judgement with modesty
• Speak no ill of those who are absent
• Blame no person who has done his/her best nor to censure him/her in public; in reproving, show no signs of anger, but do it with understanding
• Be attentive when another speaks and cause no disturbance from the audience nor interrupt a speaker
• Lead by example
• Conduct myself in all situations in a manner whereby no adverse reflections will be cast upon my fellow students, school or profession
• Report to the CVM Committee on Honor Code and MSRR Hearings, in the prescribed manner, any violation or suspected violation of the Code of Conduct
• Neither receive nor give aid in an examination, except as specifically permitted by the instructor
• Perform no acts that are contrary to existing professional regulations
• Assume the obligations specified or implied by the Code of Conduct of the College of Veterinary Medicine

Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, by virtue of their voluntary association with Michigan State University, acquire certain rights and responsibilities as members of the university. These rights and responsibilities are delineated in the following university documents: Medical Students Rights and Responsibilities (MSRR) and Academic Freedom for Students (AFR) at Michigan State University.

This Code of Conduct is presented to professional students because they will one day become membersof the veterinary profession, which has imposed upon itself standards of professional behavior and conduct designed to protect the public from fraudulent practice. The intent of the Code of Conduct is to identify specific acts or behaviors that are deemed unprofessional conduct for students in the professional program of the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). This list has been derived from the experiences of faculty, staff, and students of the CVM and is not intended to abridge, supersede, or modify any other university document.

• Falsification, fraudulent use or misuse of clinical records, health certifications, vaccination certificates, prescriptions, or other blank forms used in the practice of veterinary medicine
• Abuse, neglect, or improper care of any animal
• Conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction on any charge involving moral turpitude
• Intoxication by alcohol or other mood-altering drugs or compounds in or on the buildings and grounds of the College of Veterinary Medicine
• Falsification, fraudulent use or misuse of application materials or forms used by the CVM for admissions, evaluation of performance, or evaluation of conduct
• Giving or receiving aid on an examination, except as specifically permitted by the instructor
• Plagiarism
• Verbal or physical abuse of faculty, staff, clients, or students
• Disruption of class by loud, obnoxious, or disrespectful behavior
• Removal of any exam from the examination room without the professor's consent
• Violation of the university rules and regulations

A student accused of one or more of these (or other) forms of misconduct will be required to appear before the CVM Committee on Honor Code and MSRR Hearings as stipulated in the Honor System of the College of Veterinary Medicine and/or the Medical Students Rights and Responsibilities document. It is the student's responsibility to understand this code. Ignorance of its content will not be accepted as an excuse or an adequate defense for any infraction. Violations of this Code may result in discipline up to and including termination from the CVM program.