ABA Law Student Division Super Circuit Meeting

The ABA Law Student Division Super Circuit meeting will be held on Friday, October 12, 2012 and Saturday, October 13, 2012 at New York Law School in New York City.

The event will be held over two days and is an opportunity to meet with fellow law students from the ABA’s First, Second, Third, and Eleventh Circuits, which include law schools within Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, DC and George Mason University.  

The schedule of events is as follows:

October 12, 2012
Welcome Reception and Mixer

Begin your Fall Super Circuit Meeting experience by joining your host governors and other meeting attendees and members of the local bar for an informal networking event.  Light snacks will be provided. (Attire: Business Casual)

October 13, 2012

Attire for the day: Business Casual

• Complimentary Continental Breakfast during Check-In
• Opening Remarks by Host Law School Dean
•  Keynote Address by a prominent member of the bar or judiciary
•  Career Development Programming
•  Leadership Development Programming
•  Complimentary Lunch
• Roundtable Discussions and Idea-Raisers

Registration for this event is FREE! 

Advanced registration must be submitted by Saturday, October 6, 2012. Please see the following link for more registration information: http://ambar.org/lsdfallreg1

This event is not limited to SBA representatives; it is open to the entire student body.

For more general information regarding the event, please see the following link: http://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_students/events_competitions/fls/region1.html

For more information or to make travel plans with the group, please contact:

Alex Soter, ABA Representative for QUSL - alex.soter@quinnipiac.edu

OR

Leland Moore, Lt. Governor for the 1st Circuit of the ABA Law Student Division - leland.moore@quinnipiac.edu

Remaining Fall 2012 SBA Meetings

The remaining SBA meeting dates for Fall 2012 are as follows:

October 14
November 4
November 18

All meetings are at 6:00 p.m. in Room 306 and are open to everyone.

If you would like to reserve time to speak at a meeting, please e-mail Brynna at brynna.gravlin@quinnipiac.edu.

Fall Allocation Packets

The following is a letter from our 2012-2013 Treasurer, Allen Petit:

       To the 2012-2013 Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial officers of QUSL Student Organizations: First off, I would like to congratulate you all on being elected to serve your organization and our school for the upcoming academic year. I’m excited for the opportunity to work with each of you and look forward to a smooth and productive process.

         Based on the positive feedback from last year the Student Bar Association Executive Board and I have decided to distribute the budget allocation packets over this summer rather than wait until the fall. Our reasoning for this extended work period is two fold.

         The first reason is that we feel that allowing you the summer to work on packets will allow you to compose the most accurate and well-researched proposals possible. Ideally, you will be able to use the remainder of the summer to find the best deals on items and materials that your events require.
        
           The second reason that packets are coming out so early is that we would like to have some allocation hearings in august prior to the start of classes because there is enough to worry about during the first weeks of school as it is. August allocation hearings are something that we feel will help us to get the budget approved quickly at the beginning of next school year. The logic here being that if we have knocked out some budget hearings before the start of classes, we will have fewer to do at the beginning of the school year and thus will be able to compile a working budget sooner.

             If your organization feels that it has adequately completed its Budget Allocation Packet, and would like to conduct a hearing in August please email me. As I’m sure you aware, budget hearings require the attendance of the CEO and CFO (the president and treasurer) of each student organization. You are also perhaps aware of circumstances that may place either or both of those individuals out of Hamden for the summer. Fear not, we plan to use Skype and the magic of the internet to hold these hearings from far away if that is what needs to happen. These are details that we can work out on a case by case basis, but please know that just because you or your treasurer are not in town for the summer, that does not mean that you are excluded from having your hearing over the summer.

             Please do not read this invitation to be a requirement that you complete your packet or have your hearing prior to the start of classes. The fall allocation process will absolutely proceed as it has in the past, but we felt that the option of getting some of this work done prior to the start of classes would be a relief for everyone as we start the new school year. To reiterate, having a hearing in August will not put you ‘first in line’ to have your budget approved, nor will there be any penalty if you choose not to have your hearing prior to the start of classes.

               There is no deadline change, the only change is that you now have the summer to work on your allocation packets and potentially have your budget hearing. The fall allocation packet and the finance policy is attached, please feel free to email me with any questions that you may have about it, or the allocation process.

Sincerely yours,
Allen Petit SBA Treasurer
adpetit@quinnipiac.edu


The following link contains the fall allocation packet: 2012-2013 Allocation Packet

The following link contains the Finance Policy: Finance Policy

1L Peer Mentoring Program!

Are You Interested in Becoming a Mentor for Incoming 1L Students?

Want to help new students, meet new people and improve the QUSL community? Become a 1L mentor for the 2012-2013 school year!

Mentor questionnaires will be available this week outside the SBA office and by clicking on the following link.

If you are interested, please fill out a questionnaire and return it to the SBA office (upstairs, above the café, room LC316), or email it to clgertsch@quinnipiac.edu by May 18, 2012.

If you have questions about the program, please email Christine Gertsch at clgertsch@quinnipiac.edu.

Mentor Questionnaire

Public Service Packets!

For all student organization leaders!

Please complete the public service project packet by Friday, April 27, 2012. (Available through the following link!) Return the packet via e-mail to QUSLSBA@gmail.com. Please put the following subject line in your e-mail: "2012 Substantial Public Service Project Packet - [student organization name]".

If you have any questions, please contact Committee Chairperson Shawn Ingraham at shawn.ingraham@quinnipiac.edu and/or David Norman at david.norman@quinnipiac.edu.

Public Service Packet

Election Procedures

The following is a link to the Election Procedures for the upcoming Senate and E-board elections:

Election Procedure

Election Information

The following is information about elections for both e-board and senate positions:

The petitions to run for a position will be available outside of the SBA office starting on March 5, 2012 to fill out. They will be due March 9, 2012. Meetings for candidates will be held Thursday March 8, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. and Friday March 9, 2012 at noon. Both meetings will be held in the SBA office (LC 316) and will cover the rules for the elections.

Elections for the e-board and alumni association representatives will be held from March 20-22 and the results will be announced on March 23 (5:30, location TBD). Elections for senators will be March 27-29 and the results will be announced on March 30 (5:30, location TBD). Remember, if you run for an E-Board spot and don't make it, your name will automatically be put on your respective Senate ballot.

Surveys!

The following are two links to surveys concerning the shuttles and Barrister's Ball. Please take them if you have a minute!

Shuttle Survey

Barristers' Ball Survey

Thanks!

Guest Barristers' Ball Ticket

Menu Choice (includes 2.75 online service fee)

Chicken $87.75 USD Beef $87.75 USD Vegetarian $87.75 USD

Enter your first and last name

Law Student Barristers' Ball Ticket

Menu Choice (includes 1.75 online service fee)

Chicken $51.75 USD Beef $51.75 USD Veggie $51.75 USD

Enter your first and last name

Mid-Year Review Form

The following is a mid-year review form for the SBA! Feel free to fill one out and slip it under the SBA door or e-mail it to quslsba@gmail.com.

Mid-Year Review

Proposed Constitution for the SBA

The following link contains a proposed new constitution for the SBA. This new constitution will be introduced at the next SBA meeting, which is October 30, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 305. All are welcome to attend.

Proposed SBA Constitution

Proposed Amendments to the SBA Constitution

The following are proposed amendments to the SBA Constitution. These proposals will be discussed at the SBA meeting on October 2, 2011.

Proposal:

The SBA hereby amends the Constitution by deleting the following:

Article XIX – Resignation (The Article in its entirety).

Article XX – Order of Business (The Article in its entirety).

Article XXII (D) (Suspension of the Constitution Clause)

Article VII (1)(C)(1)(a) and (b) (Requirement that Student Organizations attend the first SBA meeting of the academic year)

The SBA hereby amends,

Article XVI (2)(A) (about Impeachment procedure) to read:

“Upon written petition by a majority of the Senate requesting an impeachment hearing for the removal of any person elected or appointed to an SBA position, the SBA President shall direct the Chief Justice of the Judicial Board to commence said impeachment hearings.

(1).         The Chief Justice shall preside over the impeachment hearing, unless the Chief Justice is the accused, in which case the President shall preside.

(2).         Said Impeachment hearing must be no later than the next  scheduled meeting after which the Senate has requested the hearing.

(3).         In order for the Senate to impeach and remove the accused, it will be required to have two-thirds majority of the entire Senate body.

(4).         Upon a two-thirds majority vote of the entire Senate body to impeach, the impeached student is considered removed from office, and shall vacate office immediately.”

(Added language in italics.)  Article XVI, Sections (3) and (4) are hereby deleted from the Constitution.

New Britain Rock Cats Game!

You are cordially invited to the

Quinnipiac University School of Law

Family Picnic

with the New Britain Rock Cats

Thursday, July 28.

We will be hosting faculty, staff, alumni, current students and incoming students for a picnic before the game.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.

RSVP by Thursday, July 14, 2011 to Kathy Kuhar at kathy.kuhar@quinnipiac.edu

Tickets are limited.  First come, first served.

Guest tickets are available for $21.00/person.  Under the "Useful Documents" list on the left side of the screen, there is a flyer! Please complete the form on the flyer if you will be bringing a guest.  Completed guest order forms, with payment, must be submitted to the Office of Student and Career Services by Thursday, July 14, 2011.

We hope you will join us!

Alabama Law Students Need Your Support!

Dear SBA Presidents and ABA Representatives:

As many of you know by now, the City of Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama experienced catastrophic storms and tornados last week resulting in the loss of lives and significant damage to the city.

Tuscaloosa is also home to the University of Alabama School of Law and approximately 547 law students. Dean Ken Randall has notified us that all law students, faculty and staff are accounted for, although many students have suffered significant property damage while others have lost everything, including housing, computers, cars, books, etc. The law school building was not damaged, but was without power for several days. Exam schedules and the implementation of exams have been altered responsive to student needs and the law school graduation will continue as planned on May 7th.

As many in the law school community have been directly or indirectly affected by the storms and tornados in this region, it is our hope that the SBA Presidents and ABA Representatives can encourage their law student bodies to assist with the efforts to help the law school victims at the University of Alabama School of Law. Several SBA Presidents have already contacted the ABA Law Student Division to inquire how their schools may provide assistance. Two resources have been identified that will provide assistance directly to the university and law school communities.

Will Booher, SBA Treasurer of the University of Alabama School of Law, has set up a “Tornado Relief Fund” to assist those in need. This fund will be used first and foremost, to directly support those in the law school community that were affected by the storm – including groceries, supplies, and replacing essential lost property, housing, transportation and other fundamental needs. The fund will then be used to support volunteers and toward the law school’s efforts for community outreach. Finally the remainder of the funds will be donated to the Red Cross relief efforts in Tuscaloosa.

Donations may be made via PayPal http://tinyurl.com/TornadoReliefFund or by contacting Will Booher at wabooh2@gmail.com.

Another resource may be the University of Alabama, which has established the UA Acts of Kindness Fund http://bit.ly/uaactsofkindness to help UA students, faculty and staff who need assistance as a result of storm damage.

This is an opportunity for our nation’s law students to assist those in need. Please help spread the word to your fellow law students to do whatever they can to help our friends at the University of Alabama School of Law.

Thank you.

SBA Mentor Program

 This fall, the SBA will be starting a yearlong mentoring program for incoming 1Ls. Next year's 2Ls, 3Ls, and 4Ls can volunteer to be paired with groups of incoming 1Ls. The goal of this program is to help the new students get comfortable with the law school community and to have someone to discuss any challenges they may face throughout the year.
 
As such, many of the duties required of the mentor will be maintaining contact with your mentees throughout the school year in order to discuss any issues the mentees may be having as well as hosting social and other informal events to foster your relationship with them.
 
We are looking for students who are serious about participating in the program and are capable of making a commitment for the 2011-2012 academic year. A detailed description of what is expected from potential mentors as well as a proposed timeline of a mentor’s interactions with his or her mentees has been emailed to your QU email account.  The Mentor Questionnaire has also been emailed, or it is available under "Useful Documents" on this webpage. 
 
If you are interested, please return a completed questionnaire by May 30, 2011. You may hand in a hard copy of the student mentor questionnnaire to the SBA office or you may email a copy to quslsba@gmail.com.  If you are chosen to be a mentor in the program, you will be contacted by the program's Selection Committeee sometime around mid to end of July with a list of your mentees.  If you have any questions about the program please contact Joshua Nadreau at joshua.nadreau@quinnipiac.edu.

Recognize a Local Veteran

The QUSL Veteran's Advocacy Group is taking up an initiative to recognize and thank a local veteran.


They would like to extend this opportunity to you to write a letter for a WWII Veteran who is participating in the Honor Flight Program. The Veteran is the father of QUSL's Joan Emmet, a current 2L. His flight is taking place on May 14th, 2011. In light of this, should you wish to write, you should submit your letter by April 25, 2011 at 3pm. You can email a version or provide a hard copy to Brian Gregorio [Brian.Gregorio@quinnipiac.edu], or drop a hard copy off with Diane Bryant in Student Services. this will ensure all letters from QUSL will be mailed together. 

• Veteran's Name:     Nicholas M. Michaels
• Rank:                      Lieutenant Senior Grade, Retired 

Below is the Email from Joan Emmet encouraging participation!

Brian and Ian,

Not sure if this is out of line, but I thought contacting your group might be worth a try.  My 91 year old dad, a purple heart and bronze star naval veteran from WWII has been selected to participate in a one day trip to Washington, D.C. to be honored in a ceremony there on the 14th of May.  The Volusia Honor Air group is sponsoring and coordinating the event.  They'll be leaving from Daytona Beach Airport early on the 14th, fly up to D.C. and fly home all on the same day (hope it doesn't kill any of these aged vets).  On the way home, on the plane, they are organizing a "mail call" and will distribute mail to the participating members.  It is this mail call that they are requesting that friends, family, and anyone who is willing to write to my dad to thank him for his service to our country, which is why I thought of you all and hoped that if anyone in your group felt so inclined, that they might write a letter to my dad for his mail call.

My dad never really talked about his war experience as I was growing up and only recently has he shared some of his stories.  He was wounded after landing in the Marianas Islands but stayed in command of his troops until he could be safely relieved and evacuated.  Somehow, he wound up in a hospital in San Francisco where my mother was stationed as a navy nurse.  My dad, who has a great sense of humor asked the nurses who were attending to him if there were any nice Russian girls that they knew and they introduced him to my mother.  They were married a month shy of 60 years when my mom died in 2005.  I'm amazed that he has lived this long without her, but it is great testament to his spirit that he is still kicking around, though in somewhat failing health, his mind is sharp and he manages his finances online every day.

Dad was really my inspiration to become a lawyer.  Just after law school, he joined the navy and once he was out, he went into practice.  He is such a smart and honorable man!

If you would like to perhaps pass the attached letter around to your members and if anyone had any time to write a short note to him, letting him know you are a classmate of mine, I'm sure he'd be most appreciative and get real pleasure out of your thoughtfulness.  The attached has all of the information about where to send your letter.  Anyway, there is no obligation, just a thought...

Many thanks for your consideration,

Joan Emmet
JD Candidate, 2013
Quinnipiac University School of Law

If you have any questions, please contact Brian Gregorio [brian.gregorio@quinnipiac.edu].

Proposed Constitutional Amendments

SBA Senator and President-Elect, Wade Luckett, proposes the following amendment to the SBA Constitution:

conditioned upon the passage of an Honor Code allowing for SBA powers of Honor Code Committee appointment, by adding the following language to the SBA Constitution:

Article VI – Duties and Responsibilities of Executive Board Officers

Section 1.  Office of the President

(F).  The President shall appoint student members to the Honor Code Committee at the beginning of each academic year, with confirmation of a majority voting in the Senate.  Appointment to the Honor Code Committee shall not act as a bar to that student holding other offices within SBA.  Honor Code Committee appointments shall be held to the highest ethical standards, and are subject to removal upon a vote of 2/3rds of the Senate.  These appointments shall include:

(1).            At least two students who have completed one full academic year of classes, but less than two full academic years of classes; and

(2).            At least two students who have completed two full academic years of classes; but

(3).            No students who have not completed one full academic year of classes.

Constitutional Amendment

The following amendment has been proposed to Article 6 Section 6 of the SBA Constitution:

 "A) The parliamentarian shall serve as an non-voting ex-officio member of all standing and ad-hoc committees, except the constitution committee, where he is a ex-officio member.

 i) The parliamentarian is entitled to send a representative in his place."

This amendment will be discussed at the next SBA meeting on Sunday April 17th.

2011 School of Law Commencement

Questions about the 2011 Law School Commencement?  Click the link below for up to date details about everything having to do with Commencement!

2011 Commencement Details