WELCOME CLASS OF 2005!

On August 14, UDC-DCSL welcomed 70 new students to its student body, and as is the case every year, one thing is immediately apparent: DIVERSITY ABOUNDS!!

The Class of 2005 is made up of 40 women and 30 men, with 53% of the class representing a minority group. The students hale from 15 different states and the District of Columbia, and more than 60 undergraduate schools. The average age is 29 years, and 6% of the class hold graduate degrees. We are also pleased to have a first year Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) student scholar who completed the Michigan State University Law School CLEO summer institute.

The diversity of life experiences is also note-worthy. Prior to entering law school, many of our new students were engaged in various professional endeavors, ranging from law enforcement to the arts. Others entered law school directly from undergraduate school. In either case, they bring a wealth of perspectives and interests that will contribute to the exchange of ideas, both in and out of the classroom.

At UDC-DCSL, we believe that diversity in law school is hugely important because it is vital that the legal profession reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live. And with every entering class, UDC-DCSL seeks to ensure that the profession becomes more inclusive and more diverse. In the words of Dean Broderick: "We are proud of the school's diversity, and this entering class demonstrates our steadfast commitment to the mission of UDC-DCSL."

- Vivian W. Canty, Director of Admission & Aaron N. Taylor, Associate Director of Admission

Orientation 2002 Report

This year, the Office of Admission, in tandem with Academic Affairs, organized and oversaw the Orientation program for entering students. The two-week Orientation began on August 14 and ended on August 26, and was a more comprehensive program than in previous years. Its primary purpose was to acquaint our new students with the School of Law community and to assist them with their transition to the study of law and to the legal profession. Students also began taking their Lawyering Process I (LP I) and Law and Justice courses during this time.

This year, in addition to the classes and activities held during the traditional Orientation period, there will be activities held throughout the Fall semester. These include a D.C. Bar and Lawyer Counseling session, to which continuing students were invited; Professor Laurie Morin’s "Time Management" session; and "What is Clinic," conducted by Professor Joe Tulman. The Office of Admission planned and expanded the orientation program because it wanted to ensure that the 1L’s would continue to receive useful information and additional support as they negotiate the challenges of their first year of law school.

During the first two weeks of Orientation, the 1Ls received advice and encouragement from current students, alums, and other members of the legal community. The students who volunteered and served on the "Tips on Surviving and Thriving in Law School" panel were 2Ls Arian Noma, Kenniah Canady, Toni Maschler, and Hank Gassner; 3Ls Sean Riley and Chesseley Robinson. The alums who participated in the "Careers in Law" panel were John Iweanoge, Gayle Driver, Tammy Seltzer, Dominic Vorv, Aaron Holbert, and Douglas Hartnett. Mr. H. Clay Smith from the D.C. Office of Bar Counsel and Mr. Erias Hyman, member of the D.C. Committee on Admissions, spoke about the importance of ethics as a law student and attorney at the "Professional Responsibility and the Bar" session. D.C. Magistrate Judge Tony Lee gave the 1Ls a road map to success as a public interest lawyer during the "How to Jump-Start a Public Service Career" session. We were pleased and honored to have Judges Inez Smith Reid, Eric Christian, Gerald Fisher, and Melvin Wright participate in this year’s judge’s panel. Deans Ann Richardson and Janice Washington conducted the Academic Standards and Administrative Policies sessions. The Community Service Partners session, organized by Joe Libertelli, included representatives from Public Defender Service of DC, Jubilee Immigration Center, DC Legal Aid Society, DC Office of the Corporation Counsel, and American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

During the first week of Orientation, Staci Smith and Aaron Taylor served as campus tour guides for the new students, and neighborhood eating establishments provided students with discount meal coupons. Aaron Taylor and Tiffany Bowers led the students (divided into three groups named for jurists Learned Hand, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Thurgood Marshall) on tours of the D.C. Superior Court. Thanks to 2L Kenniah Canady, Judge Arthur L. Burnett spoke with students at the courthouse. And, on the first day of class we were pleased to have Dr. William Pollard, the new University President, welcome the entering students to the University community.

At the end of the two weeks, the 1Ls completed an Admission Office survey, in which they gave their opinions and suggestions regarding this year's orientation program and admission process. We in the Admission Office appreciate the class’s comments, and will consider carefully their recommendations when planning and organizing next year’s program. Thanks to Yemar Kassa; Staci Smith; Deans Richardson, Washington and Broderick; Reggie Robinson, Pat Chisley and Jacqueline Craig; Financial Aid Director Anne El Shazli and Registrar Barbara Green; Career Services/Alumni Affairs Director Joe Libertelli; Dr. Russell Cort; Kenniah Canady; Tiffany Bowers; University photographer Cliff Young; Lewis Perry; Professors Christine Jones and Edgar Cahn; and others who assisted with the 2002 Orientation program and activities.

And a special "Thank you and Welcome!" to the Class of 2005.

- Vivian W. Canty, Director of Admission

- Aaron N. Taylor, Assistant Director of Admission