Where to Study!

December 4, 2012 at 2:38 PM

Photo by rwclark and available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwclark/2075315224/

As classes wind down and reading period begins, I thought you might appreciate a list of tried and true study spots on and around the BU Law campus.  Whether you prefer perfect silence or crave noise and access to a constant caffeine drip, you’ll find some great options on the list below:

In the Law Tower

Basement Lounge: This lounge was designed as a break-room from studying, but it’s usually pretty quiet, so it’s good if you want a place to get away, and take a television study break.

Ring Lounge (Ground Floor): The Ring Lounge is a great place to study if you’re looking to talk, have a minute between classes, catch people as they come in and out, or sit and eat while you work.

First Floor Lounge: The First Floor Lounge is great for meeting up with people or having a snack while you study.  The Café is open 8-3, Mon-Thurs, and 8-2, Friday.

Library (2nd Floor): The Library is the classic law school study place. Some people love it, some people hate it.

3rd Floor Study Rooms: A nice alternative to the library, the third floor study rooms provide a quiet place to study without the library feel.

Annex:  The Annex to the BU Law Library is below Mugar Library, across from the law tower and accessed by the path from Ring Lounge. Some people may confuse it with a fall-out shelter.

Rome Lounge (12th Floor): Enjoy a good view of Boston while you study in the Rome Lounge.

On campus

BU School of Management, Pardee Library (595 Commonwealth Ave.):  A good way to get away from the BU Law crowd during crunch time.

George Sherman Union “GSU” (700 Commonwealth Avenue): BU’s student union is a good spot if you want ambient noise, food, and undergraduates.  Keep in mind that there are lots of nooks and crannies to study in (though none are silent) outside the food court area.

Mugar Library (Adjacent to law tower; 771 Commonwealth Avenue): BU’s undergraduate library is only steps away from the Tower.

Empty Classrooms: When all else fails, just pick any random room.  Come visit us in Student Affairs if you want to check on how long that classroom may be free.

Public Libraries

Boston Public Library – Main Branch (700 Boylston Street): Boston’s central library is a gorgeous building adjacent to Copley Square.  Just don’t leave your belongings unattended for a second.

Boston Public Library – Allston Branch (300 North Harvard Street): Boston’s Allston branch is conveniently on the 66 bus line. It has lots of sunlight and parking, but may also have lots of kids.

Boston Public Library – Brighton Branch (40 Academy Hill Road): Very quiet with parking available.

Brookline Public Library – Coolidge Corner Branch (31 Pleasant Street): Brookline’s Coolidge Corner Branch is in a beautiful part of town and is T accessible.

Coffee Shops

Blue State Coffee (957 Commonwealth Avenue): This coffee shop is a BU favorite with large tables, an open floor plan and plenty of food options to get you through your study session.

Café Japonaise (1032 Commonwealth Avenue): A quiet spot in West Campus where you can indulge in a variety of French/Japanese pastries.

Espresso Royale (736 Commonwealth Avenue): This BU hangout has food, plus great tea and coffee to keep the caffeine buzz going.

Panera Bread (201 Brookline Avenue, Boston, or 299 Harvard St, Brookline): Free internet, lots of tables and a decent number of plugs, plus a large menu of soups, salads and sandwiches to keep you satisfied.

Peet’s Coffee & Tea (285 Harvard Street in Brookline): A little further away from BU, this coffee shop gives you a place to escape. Especially good for weekend studying so you can take a break at the nearby Brookline Booksmith or grab lunch nearby.

Starbucks & other coffee shops (Various Locations): Open late, with big tables and comfy chairs, Starbucks and other local coffee shops are favorites with students.

Trident Booksellers & Café (338 Newbury Street): Open until midnight 7 days a week, this half bookstore and half café is the perfect place for a study session. In addition, free wireless and comfort food options will keep you energized for hours.  Check their schedule of programs to be sure you won’t need to vacate before you’re ready.

So, what did we miss?  Share your favorites that didn’t make the list in the Comments section below!

By jcollin3 | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Stress-busting reminders

November 27, 2012 at 10:45 AM

As classes wind down, I want to offer a few ideas to reduce your stress:

Thursday, November 29: Deadline to download AND register for Softest if you plan to use your laptop for your exam. If you miss the deadline, don’t panic. Written exams are graded exactly the same as typed exams (as long as the professor can read what you write).

If you’re a 1L, attend the Academic Enhancement Program on Exam Taking on Friday, November 30 at 2 p.m.. This is tailored to YOUR section and YOUR professors and features successful upperclassmen telling you what to expect. If you must miss the panels on what to expect from your section’s exams, borrow a friend’s notes! Tailoring your study strategies to the specific exams will be a great way to reduce stress.  See the J.D. Student Central calendar for your section’s meeting location.

Pet Therapy! Tuesday, December 11, from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., come enjoy a different kind of stress relief courtesy of Toby, a 6-ish yr. old therapy dog, who will be waiting in Barristers to take away your stress with his calm presence.

Give your laptop a pre-exam tune-up. Now might be a good time to make sure everything is functioning properly before you ask your laptop to function for ~18 straight hours each day for two straight weeks. Here’s a link with some ideas for a tune up: http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/usingyourlaptop/tp/mthlylaptopmtnc.htm

Review the Exam Taking Strategies offered by Dean Marx and Professor Volk. See the Exam Taking Guide 2012 here, and see Professor Volk’s Power Point on the First Year Writing Program Blackboard.

Plan your daily arrival to campus. As we all know, the Green Line has an uncanny ability to sense when you have an urgent need to arrive on time – and to derail that (literally or figuratively). Also remember that the MBTA doesn’t run as frequently during off-peak hours. So leave LOTS of extra time and perhaps have a Plan B for arriving on-time to your exams.

Plan your daily access to the law school. As you know, they are breaking ground on the new addition to the law school. This means some of your favorite routes from Mugar and the GSU to Ring Lounge may no longer be in service starting in mid-December or earlier. Give yourself an extra minute or two to access the law school through the steps on the west side of Marsh Chapel.

Take meaningful breaks. It will be tempting to work non-stop, but doing so will not necessarily help your performance. Getting sufficient sleep, eating healthy meals, and finding some outlet for relaxation (exercise, t.v., cooking/baking, holiday shopping), will actually boost your ability to synthesize and retain all that information!

If you are experiencing anxiety or depression that is interfering with your sleeping, eating, or ability to focus, you should take advantage of the free, confidential counseling services at the BU Behavioral Medicine Clinic, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, (617)353-3569. Students may call that number anytime; if it’s after the clinic’s hours, an answering service will page a counselor on call. Many law students take advantage of their services. For more information, see their website at: http://www.bu.edu/shs/behavioral/

Stay tuned for next week’s blog on the best places to study in and around BU’s campus!

By jcollin3 | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Diversity News Roundup November 2012

November 16, 2012 at 2:55 PM

Fall is officially upon us and the semester is coming to an end. However, as things start to wind down in the classroom don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear some insightful thoughts on social justice issues around campus and in Boston. There have been many panels on issues of diversity on campus lately. Outlaw organized a panel on transgender prisoners’ rights that featured the attorneys from the Michelle Kosilek case. The Annual Distinguished Lecture featured Professor William N. Eskridge, Jr., who spoke about the history and case law surrounding marriage equality in the U.S. I, along with members of LALSA, also attended the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Suffolk Law School where we watched the documentary Precious Knowledge about the ban on ethnic studies classes in Tucson, AZ. The panel following the movie included Sean Arce, the founder and director of the Mexican American Studies program in the Tucson Unified School District. I know that as finals approach you may have less time to attend events, but if you need a break below are some events for you to consider.

Events:

News:

  • Does your favorite TV show make the grade for racial diversity in its cast? This infographic breaks it down.
  • This week UPS announced it will no longer provide funding to the Boy Scouts of America because of their anti-gay policies.
  • On October 13th, the Boston Feminists for Liberation held a march against rape culture and gender inequality. Learn more about the event and organization here.
  • Crowds of students at Ole Miss and Hampden-Sydney shouted racial slurs after President Obama was reelected this month. This article recounts both incidents and how the schools are responding.
  • Last month Harvard became “the first university in the country to appoint a professor to an endowed faculty position for LGBTQ studies.” Read about this exciting position and what other area schools are doing.

Diversity Scholarship, Fellowship, and Internship Opportunities

For anyone looking to volunteer, the NAACP’s Boston office is looking for students to cover office hours and take complaints. For more information contact Brandon Greene at brandon.greene@live.com. For those of you looking to gather closer to home, there are a few upcoming student events to keep in mind. Outlaw and the Family Law Association will be presenting 8: The Play on November 28th at 6:30 pm. On December 3rd, the Honorable Cruz Reynoso, who was the first Latino to sit on the California Supreme Court, will deliver the Shapiro Lecture. And finally, I hope to see everyone at NALSA’s First Annual All-American Thanksgiving on November 19th!!

-Brenda

 

By blhernan | Posted in Diversity | Tagged | Comments (0)

Post-traumatic Billable Hour Disorder*

November 13, 2012 at 11:24 AM

Some rights reserved: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leehaywood/4140348113/

First, thanks for the warm welcome thus far.  I know you’re all about to disappear into the haze of outline preparation and exam studying, but I encourage you to stop by to say hello or to talk through the rule against perpetuities (yes, I get it and so can you!)…or grab a piece of candy from my candy dish.

Now, for the main event: my first blog post – EVER!

As I transition out of private practice and into my new role here at BUSL, I find that I’m suffering from post-traumatic billable hour disorder.  This manifests itself in an almost-constant checking of the time, reaching for a timer that isn’t there, a restless desire to get a “good billable project” and a general discomfort with enriching activities (that aren’t billable).

In my first week alone, I’ve attended 3 talks, 3 meetings, and spent about 3 hours at Human Resources learning about benefits.  My first reaction is to start panicking about my billable hours…but then I realize that not only do I not have to bill my time, attendance at these enriching talks and meetings is part of doing my job!  Lucky me!

In contrast, during my six years in private practice my worth was quantified in six minute increments of billable time that together were supposed to equal 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, and 48 weeks of the year (give or take) to reach that 1900 annual billable hour requirement.

Now for those of you who haven’t experienced a law firm yet, this might not sound unreasonable.  Eight hours of work per day is probably a lot less than you’re doing right now.  What you might not yet realize, however, is that billing 8 hours can take 9 or 10 or 12, depending on what else is on your plate.  Need to organize and prioritize your workload?  Non-billable.   Need to do some networking?  Non-billable. Have a monthly (or weekly) department meeting to cover important practice updates?  Non-billable.  As you can imagine, sometimes these non-billable commitments are the most important parts of your day…and yet, they DON’T COUNT!

Forgive me for going off on a bit of a rant.  The truth is, the billable hour is not all bad!  It encourages efficiency and helps keep people on task.  It gives lawyers a
way to value their work, and clients a way to evaluate the value (in an economic sense) of the lawyer’s work.  For those working insane hours on a big case or a deal, the billable hours amassed on a project can be a real source of pride, and rightly so.

So, for those of you who want to learn more about billable hours, and why I’m still suffering from post-traumatic billable hour disorder, check out these links:

Yale CDO’s summary of the time needed to meet billable hours: http://www.law.yale.edu/documents/pdf/CDO_Public/cdo-billable_hour.pdf

Above the Law discussion of billing “gray areas,” such as engagement letters, travel and billing: http://abovethelaw.com/2012/11/inside-straight-what-really-is-billable/#more-203068

New York Times article on the potential challenges to the billable hour: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/business/30hours.html?pagewanted=all

*Disclaimer:  The title of this post and any references to “post-traumatic billable hour disorder” are meant to be funny and in no way to trivialize the experience of those suffering from the serious effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.  For an interesting story on ways BU researchers are reaching out to veterans  suffering from PTSD, see this link to BU Today: http://www.bu.edu/today/2012/reaching-vets-falling-through-the-cracks/#share-tools.

By jcollin3 | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Welcome Jill Collins, our New Associate Director for Student Affairs!

November 7, 2012 at 2:07 PM

Searching for the right person to fill an important job can be daunting.  But when that right person comes along, you forget the challenges.

I’m happy to say that we’ve found the right person to step in as Associate Director for Student Affairs–Jill Collins. Jill has a BA, magna cum laude, from Boston College, and a JD degree, cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame Law School (we forgive her for the latter:)).  While at Notre Dame, Jill did the Legal Aid Clinic and was Vice-President of the Public Interest Law Forum.  She spent a semester abroad in college in Quito, Ecuador.

Since 2006, Jill practiced law in the Individual Client Department at the Boston branch of Day Pitney LLP. She managed the Boston office summer associate program in 2008.  While she enjoyed her practice, her real passion is working with students.  At Notre Dame, Jill served  as an Assistant Rector for a residence hall, which was described to me as a “full-service community.”  Jill counseled students and planned academic and social programs for the student residents.  Jill also served as a Teaching Assistant in the Political Science Department at Notre Dame.

Jill and her husband have the common challenge of balancing work with raising their young son.  She loves baking and cooking (she’ll enter the PIP cupcake wars competition!), “bad” television (don’t we all?), long walks along the beach in Southie, skiing when she can make time for it, travel when she can afford it, and any adventures with her son (most recently, the Boston Museum of Science). 

Please stop in to say hi to Jill; she would love to meet you!

Best, Dean Chris Marx

By cmarx | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Keeping Safe-Tips from BU Police, and the BU RAD Program

November 1, 2012 at 11:50 AM

For an urban campus, BU is a remarkably safe place to attend school and work.  But we are not immune from thefts and other crimes.  On October 31, our office invited BU Police Sergeant Jefferey Burke, a trained instructor in BU’s Rape Awareness Defense (RAD) program, to provide general safety tips, and to discuss the RAD program.  For emergencies, you can call the BU Police Department at 617/353-2121.  You also can text that department with any public safety concerns by texting tip411 (847411, keyword BU).  BUPD also has a laptop registration program to deter thefts and helps retrieve lost or stolen laptops.  To register, contact Officer Peter Shin at 617/358-1843 or psin@bu.edu; registration is by appointment only.

Some general safety tips:
-Don’t leave your personal belongings, such as laptops, backpacks, etc., unattended, even for a minute!  If you leave the Tower to get coffee, be sure to take your belongings with you.
-Always pay attention to your surroundings when you are walking.  Don’t look down at your cell phone or text while walking!  Sgt. Burke noted that many perpetrators look for people who are looking down and not paying attention.  You also risk being hit by a car or a bicycle.
-BU has an Escort Security Service, run by BU students, who will walk with you on campus as needed.
-Look for blue light phone boxes around campus, including by the law school.  You can use them for emergencies.

Sgt. Burke also demonstrated some basic self-defense techniques, and discussed BU’s RAD program.  This program, which costs BU students $10,  is for women who want to physically protect themselves against rape and other forms of violence.  The 16 or 20 hour course, offered over several sessions, is taught by certified BUPD RAD instructors.  The course covers awareness, prevention, risk reduction, and basic self-defense techniques.  It also offers a Keychain Defense Option.  All participants are in padded gear and videotaped for review.  RAD is taught throughout the US and Canada.  All students receive a lifetime free return and practice policy.

We hope you’ll consider signing up for the spring program!

By cmarx | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Diversity News Roundup October 2012

October 22, 2012 at 1:35 PM

One of my favorite parts about being the Associate Director for Multicultural Affairs is keeping myself informed about issues of diversity and social justice in the news, both locally and nationally. I frequently send out event announcements that relate to you as law students. I recently attended a dinner with some fellow students sponsored by the Boston Lawyers Group at the Nutter, McClennen &Fish offices, for Affinity Group Leaders. This was a great opportunity to network with area lawyers, law students and organizers. It is these types of events that could lead to amazing future contacts and volunteer opportunities.

I know many of you are interested in issues of diversity that exist outside of the legal realm as well. Since I know the life of a law student is an extremely busy one, I have prepared a roundup of local and national news, events and information on issues of diversity and social justice.

Events:

News:

Diversity Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities:

I encourage everyone to try and attend at least one event off campus per semester. However, since I know many of you are busy, I will also try my best to bring these discussions to campus. On November 12, the first BU Law Legacy Series (formally CRS Forum), will be held. The first panel will discuss Title IX since this year marks the 40th anniversary of this landmark legislation. Please look out for more information soon. I hope to see you all there.

-Brenda

 

By blhernan | Posted in Diversity | Tagged | Comments (3)

BU Law at the Forefront of Transactional Practice with its Transactional Law Program

September 17, 2012 at 3:50 PM

Interested in transactional law practice?  Consider BU Law’s innovative transactional law program.  Directed by Professor Kent Coit, a retired partner in the prominent firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (Boston office), the program helps students and graduates “hit the ground running” by teaching both doctrinal and practical skills in transactional practice.   Students will develop core competencies in contract literacy; transactional practice, analytical and problem-solving skills; and in understanding what transactional attorneys do.  The foundational course is contract drafting.  Students who want to concentrate can do the new Transactional Law concentration, which will replace our Business Organizations and Finance Law concentration to reflect this new program and the demands of the market in this practice area.

Check out our Transactional Law section of the BU Law website for more information on the program.

By cmarx | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Farewell, And A Big Thanks, to Josh Cooper

August 16, 2012 at 8:08 AM

On August 20, there will be a big void in our Student Affairs’ office.  Josh Cooper, who has served as Associate Director for Student Affairs, is leaving to become Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs and Course Administration at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.  Josh joined our office in 2005.  Before I interviewed Josh, I thought, “Oh dear; I wonder if he is another lawyer who just wants to escape from practice.”  Happily, my fears were unfounded.  From day one, Josh demonstrated a passion for helping students and building community.  Whether he was working with SGA and other student groups; helping journals plan symposia; counseling a student who was worried about grades; or navigating the crazy Boston bureaucracy to make the 5K race happen, Josh always approached his work with professionalism, enthusiasm, and compassion.   He is irreplacable in so many ways, including coming up with the best trivia questions for Pub Trivia Night!

Josh clearly loves working with students, and his new position is a great opportunity for him to pursue his passion.  He leaves very big shoes to fill!  So, a BIG thank you to Josh for all that you have done.  The school is a better place for your having been here.

By cmarx | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Warning: Law School Will Cause Flashbacks

April 27, 2012 at 9:57 AM

For all the 3L’s preparing for their last days of exams I ask you take this warning seriously.  It will happen suddenly and you will not be ready for it.  It may come at you with whiplashing speed or perhaps it will bloom slowly across your memory.  Either way law school is fundamentally built to cause flashbacks.

Some will be good, some bad, probably a few scares and laughs – hopefully nothing that will actually keep you up at night.  However flashbacks to law school will follow you no matter how much distance you put in years between you and the last three you’ve spent here.  And here’s why – having attended a professional school and now entering the profession, you are going to come across reminders everywhere in your day to day life.

Just like a familiar smell of a heavily applied perfume can remind you of Grandma or that awesome slow jam on the radio can bring you back to your first high school dance, the words promissory estoppel or mens rea can shoot your memory back to 1L year.  Maybe you successfully answered a question on the fly, or perhaps it was a palm-sweating situation where you faltered – either way the legal world is rife with reminders good, bad, and indifferent.

My request of all of you as you finish up with exams over the next few weeks, is that in preparation for your legal career be ready for the these flashbacks to surprise you around every corner.  I obviously am not even practicing anymore but I can tell you that my conversations with all of you and the work that we do has me thinking back to law school almost on a daily basis (As a side note to 1L’s and 2L’s reading this, please, no more stories about Civ. Pro. – my psyche can’t handle it).

And it’s not just what happened in the classroom.  Coming across each other whether it is in the courtroom or the conference room you’ll be reminded of your time in school together.  And BU is a special place in that regard.  This is a very active, collegial place where the community is dynamic and life outside the classroom is an important part of the BU Law experience.  That means there are just that many more opportunities for history to surprise you in the unlikeliest of places.

So you have officially been warned.  You’ve run the gauntlet of law school to start off your career and leave the stress and hard work of law school behind.  Only now you’re aware that there will be constant reminders everywhere conjuring up these memories so make them a positive.  Use them to inform your decisions, to reflect how far you’ve come, to teach those that you will mentor, and how you’ll grow as an attorney with experience and hindsight, albeit sometimes delivered via a surprise flashback.

Flashbacks are a positive thing no matter the experience they remind you of and fortunately the field of law will induce flashbacks all the time.  You have been warned.

Don’t be afraid to look over your shoulder, Josh

By cooperj | Posted in Saying hello | Comments (0)