Legal Attorney for a resource on multiple issues
“I wake up every day saying I get to go to work today,” said Bruce Ward, prosecuting attorney for Cache County.
For the last four years, Ward also has visited USU one or two nights a week to give legal advice to students with no fee.
“Most students don’t know this service exists, and I wish they did,” he said.
ASUSU’s student advocate vice president, Bryan Olsen, said Ward is at USU as a resource for the students and that USU students need to utilize such resources.
“He’s helped me personally multiple times. I come in if he doesn’t have anyone and sit down and talk to him.”
Ward offers legal guidance one on one to USU full or part-time students on Wednesday evenings from 5 to 9:30 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center Room 340. Issues on landlord tenant, parking and immigration are a few of the topics Ward said he has dealt with in the past.
“My role, really, is a gatekeeper,” Ward said.
Parking, he said, used to be an issue, but since the city passed an ordinance on parking endorsement, it has dropped off a lot. So some issues brought to his attention are employment issues, more particularly summer sales, Ward said.
“A lot of these companies are really reputable and students make good money,” Ward said. “But there are a few that you need to make some inquiries ahead of time to make sure you’re getting into what you think you’re getting into.”
Not paying medical bills is an area where some students really get into trouble, Ward said. He said if a student receives a bill in the mail that seems unfair, he or she should go visit him. Some students ignore the bill, which Ward said will only bring on more charges of interest, collections fees and attorney fees.
“A lot of people sort of want to stick their head in the sand, and that’s really a bad deal,” Ward said. “There might be a way we can get somebody to work with you or get it reduced or possibly dismissed altogether.”
Asking friends or peers for advice about a problem may be beneficial, but Ward said there is something that counts for life experience.
“I like to say three 19-year-olds do not make a 57-year-old,” Ward said.
There are a few areas Ward said he cannot give advice about due to conflict of interest. Being a prosecutor, he is limited in what things he can help with.
“Because I’m a prosecutor, if somebody comes to me with an MIP (minor in possession) alcohol, marijuana charge or DUI, all I can do is explain the process,” Ward said. “I can route them. I can help take the mystery out of it.”
One of the agreements Ward said he has made with ASUSU is to not represent any students in court. He also said he can’t give any advice that runs at all against the interest of the university. He used the example of a student who slips on the ice and wants to sue USU.
“You have to go talk to somebody else. I can’t even talk about it,” Ward said.
Ward said it’s much easier to deal with a problem before signing something. Calling himself proactive-minded, Ward said he would much rather solve a problem before it happens.
“It’s so much better to ask first,” Ward said.
Ward calls himself the “University Dad” because he said he probably dispenses more common sense advice than legal advice, even though there is a lot of legal advice involved.
“If students would call home first and ask (their parents) the question that they would ask me, they would probably get almost the exact same advice, but nobody likes to ask their mom and dad when they’re at school,” Ward said.
Ward said he wants students to know and take advantage of this service, especially since he said he loves what he does.
“(My job) is very satisfying,” Ward said.
Appointments run in 20-minute increments and can be made in the TSC Room 326 or by calling Lynne Singleton at 797-1716. If no answers, press zero to be connected with someone else to make an appointment.
This service is only offered fall and spring semesters. However, Ward said he can be contacted through Singleton during summer semester for legal issues and advice.
t.dixon@aggiemail.usu.edu