ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

Mandatory orientation activities for all first-year students begin on Tuesday, August 26, and end in the late afternoon on Thursday, August 28. This schedule also includes some optional activities sponsored by our student organizations. Classes begin on Tuesday, September 2.

Tuesday, August 26

Overview: Between 8:15 and 10:30, all students must check-in to claim their place in the incoming class and have their photo taken for the Student Directory. During this time, there will be a chance to meet representatives of the State Bar of Wisconsin and sign up for a free Student Associate membership and to take tours of the Law Building with representatives of the Student Bar Association (SBA). At 10:30 SBA representatives will lead you to Birge Hall for some welcoming activities. At noon, we will provide lunch in the Law School with your Small Section classmates and SBA representatives, followed by a return to Birge Hall for an informational session, then a meeting with your Small Section professor and a chance to learn about our student organizations and rent a locker for the year.

Schedule:

8:15-10:15 a.m. Check-in (REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS). Students must present photo ID. in Room 2260, Law School. We will provide bagels and beverages.

8:30-10:15 a.m. Photos for Student Directory will be taken in Room 3260, Law School. There will also be a photo make-up session on Thursday, August 28, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in Room 3260.

8:30-10:00 Building Tours provided by Student Bar Association (SBA) every 15-20 minutes starting in atrium. Listen for announcements in the atrium.

10:45-11:45 a.m. Welcomes from Deans, Faculty and President of Student Bar Association in Birge Hall, Room 145. Birge Hall is west of the Law School on the mall. SBA representatives will lead student to Birge Hall, leaving from the atrium. Program: Dean Kenneth B. Davis, Jr., Professor David Schwartz, Assistant Dean for Students Ruth Robarts, Assistant Dean for Admissions & Financial Aid Mike Hall, and Student Bar Association President Vic Yanz.

12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch with Small Section classmates. Box lunches, including vegetarian option, available in the atrium. Look for the signs assigning your group to a room.

1:10-2:15 p.m. Welcome from Associate Dean Walter Dickey, Information about Judicial Clerkships from Professor John Ohnesorge and Financial Aid information from Assistant Dean Mike Hall in Birge Hall, Room 145.

2:30–4:30 p.m. Meetings with Small Section professors

2:30–3:30 p.m. Prof. Ross (Section 9) – Room 3250; Prof. Camic (Section 2) – Room 3253; Prof. Ossorio (Section 3) – Room 3226; Prof. Monette (Section 4) – Room 3260; Prof. Snyder (Section 13) – Room 5240: Prof. Schultz (Section 10) - Room 5229: Prof. Macaulay (Section 6) – Room 5223

3:30- 4:30 p.m. Prof. Kempinen (Section 11) – Room 3250; Prof. Prosser (Section 12) – Room 3253; Prof. Sharafi (Section 5) Room 3226; Prof. Carstensen (Section 1) – Room 3260: Prof. Alexander (Section 8) – Room 5229; Prof. Macaulay (Section 7) – Room 5223

4:30-6:00 p.m. Student Organizations Fair in the atrium and Room 2260. Rent lockers from SBA for $60 (cash or check only). Watch for signs for locker rental.

Wednesday, August 27

Overview: Community Service Day. Small Sections will have different schedules and work sites. Check for your section’s schedule in your check-in packet. Meet in the atrium at your section’s schedule time. Coffee and tea provided. Please wear old clothing and your UW Law School T-shirt. Please be on time. Some sections will use Madison Metro buses to get to work sites. For a free bus trip, students need a UW Student ID and bus pass. Pizza (including cheese pizza) will be delivered at the work sites.

4:30-6:00 p.m. Barbeque at Boerner Plaza (adjacent to Law School atrium). Rent lockers from SBA for $60 (cash or check only).

Thursday, August 28

Overview: All students must buy books, take a short writing diagnostic test, attend two faculty workshops and take a tour of the Law Library. Each Small Section has an individual schedule. Please follow the schedule for your Small Section. Following these activities, student organizations will offer a number of interesting workshops.

Required Activities:

Buy books at the Book Mart (Rooms 2115 and 2211) between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. You may only purchase books at the time assigned to your Small Section. Students that miss their assigned time may buy books on Friday, August 29. Cash or checks only, no credit or debit cards.

Students must purchase materials for Introduction to Substantive Criminal Law separately in Room 2320 (office for Continuing Legal Education). Continuing Legal Education will be open for sales Tuesday, August 26, through Thursday, August 28, from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and on Friday, August 29, from 8:30 a.m. until noon. You may pay with cash, checks or major credit cards.

Writing diagnostic test – All students must take a short writing diagnostic test in the Computer Lab on the second floor of the Law Library at the time assigned to your Small Section. Bring your exam numbers to the test. We will use the results of the tests in planning academic support services for your class as a whole. Students interested in their individual results may contact Mary Barnard Ray, director of Individual Instructional Services, in October.

Faculty Workshops

9:00-9:45 a.m. Getting ready for class. Workshop with Prof. Walter Dickey in Room 2260.

1:00–1:45 p.m. Effective study groups. Workshop with Pro. Carin Clauss in Room 2260

2:00-2:45 p.m. Getting ready for class. Workshop with Prof. Cheryl Weston in Room 2260.

3:00-3:45 p.m. Effective study groups. Workshop with Professor Lisa Alexander and students in Room 2260

Tours of Law Library start entrance to Law Library from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Students may go at any time during the day.

Photos for New Student Directory will be taken in Room 3260, Law School from 9:00-10:00 a.m. for students who missed the photo session on Tuesday.

Small Section Schedules

Small Section 1: Book buying at 9:00; Writing test from 10:30-11:30; faculty workshops at 1:00 and 2:00.

Small Section 2: Writing test from 8:30-9:30; book buying at 9:30; faculty workshops at 1:00 and 3:00.

Small Section 3: Writing test from 8:30-9:30; book buying at 10:00; faculty workshops at 1:00 and 2:00.

Small Section 4: Faculty workshops at 9:00 and 2:00; book buying at 1:30; writing test at 3:30-4:30.

Small Section 5: Book buying at 11:00; writing test from 1:30-2:30; faculty workshops at 9:00 and 2:00.

Small Section 6: Faculty workshops at 9:00 and 3:00; book buying at 1:00; writing test from 4:30-5:30.

Small Section 7: Faculty workshops at 9:00 and 2:00; book buying at 1:00; writing test from 3:30 to 4:30.

Small Section 8: Book buying at 11:00; writing test from 1:30 to 2:30; faculty workshops at 9:00 and 3:00.

Small Section 9: Book buying at 8:30; writing test from 9:30 to 10:30; faculty workshops at 1:00 and 3:00.

Small Section 10: Writing test from 9:30-10:30; book buying at 11:30; faculty workshops at 1:00 and 3:00.

Small Section 11: Book buying at 8:30; writing test from 11:30-12:30; faculty workshops at 1:00 and 2:00.

Small Section 12: Book buying at 8:30; writing test from 2:30-3:30 faculty workshops at 1:00 and 3:00.

Small Section 13: Book buying at 10:30; writing test from 11:30 to 12:30; faculty workshops at 9:00 and 2:00.

Student-sponsored activities:

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Women Law Students Association brunch in Room 2260 Everybody welcome.

4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Law Student Family Association picnic on grounds west of Law School or in atrium, depending on weather. Children, spouses and partners welcome.

4:00 – 5:45 p.m. Break Out Sessions:

4:00 – 4:45 Help Yourself by Helping Others! Rm. 2260

· As you get into your first semester of law school, you may very well find yourself feeling a little overwhelmed and in need of some perspective. Why not use your Winter Break to help people in need? This workshop will focus on the importance of doing volunteer work both during law school and after you graduate. Our primary example is the AWESOME trip that SHN takes every Winter Break and Spring Break to New Orleans, and we’ll tell you how you can be a part of the group that goes.

Studying and Interning Abroad Rm. 5240

· Would you like to learn about studying and interning abroad from UW Law students who have directly participated in activities abroad? Come here about studying International Law at UW Law School and the opportunities this school provides, such as the Wisconsin International Law Journal, the International Law Concentration Certificate, and the International Arbitration Moot Team. Hear from students who have studied abroad while in law school and have interned for the summer for awesome organizations such as the UN War Crimes Tribunal in Rwanda, the International Criminal Court in the Hague, the Roma Rights Center in Budapest, and at firms in Bangkok through the UW East Asian Legal Studies Center.

Staying Connected to your Community Rm. 5246

· Hear from members of various religious communities through the law school about how to stay connection to your religion while in law school. Learn about different places of worship, how to stay active in your community, and opportunities here at UW Law School.

5:00 – 5:45 Balancing School with Time-Intensive Orgs Rm. 2260

· 1Ls play an important role in UW Law School’s Mock Trial. Learn how to become involved with such a prestigious opportunity your first semester of law school and how to balance serious time commitments like Mock Trial with school, home, and family activities. Also learn how to prepare for tryouts for trial or oral advocacy teams.

Madison’s Hidden Treasures Rm. 5240

· Want to learn how to expand your social and academic network while in law school? Come to this session to learn about expanding your social network by participating in non-law school events such as BBQs, sporting events, and the Union; great restaurants, local bars, and karaoke; areas to avoid at night; popular Madison food; and alternate study locations besides the law library.

Public Interest Life at Wisconsin Rm. 5246

· Want to learn about different types of public interest law? Come to this session to hear about the different volunteer opportunities, both legal and otherwise, in and around Madison. Also learn about avoiding debt and PILF’s role in supporting public interest students through summer grants.

Friday, August 29

Students who missed their assigned book buying time may purchase books at the Book Mart between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

7:00-9:00 p.m. QLaw 1L and Community Reception at 202 N. Hamilton St. (Hamilton Place Apts, Community Room). For more information, call (608)729-5805 or e-mail qlaw@qlaw.org.

Submitted by Ruth Robarts, Assistant Dean for Student & Academic Affairs on August 19, 2008

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