Regent Law School Student Orientation Guide

1. Regent University School of Law Policies & Procedures Orientation August 2016 Professor Natt Gantt Associate Dean of Instructional & Curricular Affairs

2. Sources for Law School Rules • Your Law School Application • School of Law Policies & Procedures Manual • Regent University Student Handbook • Including the Standard of Personal Conduct • School of Law Honor Code • Regent University Catalog

3. Student Resources Page • All of these except your application can be found at the School of Law’s website under Student Life, then Student Affairs, then Student Resources (http://www.regent.edu/acad/schlaw/student_life/studentresources.cfm)

4. Calendars/Schedules • Same Website: http://www.regent.edu/acad/schlaw/student_life/studentresources.cfm • Academic Calendar • Events Calendar • Course Schedules • Course Descriptions • J.D. Curriculum Checklist • Locker Information • Other Important Information

5. Student Accounts & Contact Information • Be sure your account is clear of any holds. • Be sure your tuition balances are paid. • Be sure the Admissions Office has official copies of all your transcripts. • Go onto Genisys to check your account. • Contact the Business Office if you have questions about your account (352-4059 or busoff@regent.edu). • Keep contact info updated in Genisys! • You are responsible for checking your Regent e-mail!

6. Exam Schedule and Policy • Exam schedule on-line on Student Resources page. • No rescheduling of exams except under “extenuating circumstances.” Must petition Dean Van Essendelft to reschedule.

7. Typing Exams • Will receive e-mail later in the semester about how to register with Examsoft software • $25 charge • Must have wireless capability to type • Should watch Examsoft training and work out all problems in advance • Hardware or software problems on exam day? You’ll have to write. • Spellcheck not available

8. Character & Fitness • Must keep school updated regarding character and fitness issues, including: • Academic, disciplinary, financial problems – pending or resolved • Criminal charges and/or convictions (including traffic violations) • Court martial hearings/dishonorable discharges • Involuntary separation from job involving dishonesty • Involvement in civil lawsuits • Use form in packet or draft memo. • Must notify Law School Office of Student Affairs by Friday, September 30 with updates or corrections from application.

9. Bar Registration • Some states ask students to pre-register for the bar examination during their first year. This pre-registration generally is not a requirement but is usually done to track interested applicants and to save them money on registration fees. • For more information, see memo in packet and the Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements at http://www.ncbex.org/publications/bar-admissions-guide/

10. Faculty Mentoring • Part of Integrated Lawyer Training (ILT) • Will learn of your faculty mentor early in the semester • Certificate of Mentoring each semester (starting in spring) • Additional advising comes through the Records and Registration Office

11. Visiting Student Status • The Rule: All 90 credits must be completed at Regent University • A rare exception: Visiting student status at another law school, as a 3L or for a summer program. • Only by petition – must show “extraordinary circumstances” • Warning: Very seldom granted—except for summer classes

12. M.A. and LL.M. Students in our Midst!

13. Class Attendance • ABA Standard 308(a): “(a) A law school shall adopt, publish, and adhere to sound academic standards, including those for regular class attendance.” • You should do your very best not to miss any classes. • Check your syllabi! • Class attendance may be a component of your class participation grade. • Each faculty member may impose sanctions, up to and including exclusion from the class and giving of the grade “WF” (withdrew/failing) for excessive unexcused absences. • Faculty members may impose lesser sanctions for any absences or for tardiness. • Communicate with class instructor if you have several absences.

14. Laptop Use Policy • Wireless internet is available in the classrooms. • Some professors do not allow students to use laptops in their classrooms. • Other professors have strict policies regarding how you can use laptops in their classrooms. • Check your syllabi!

15. Student Employment Policy • Must complete a Statement of Student Employment • Available on-line through Genisys • Go to “Verify Student Requirements” and look for “ABA Employment”

16. Degree Completion • 90 hours (83 for joint degree) • 30 Hours in the First Year for full-time students • 12 Upper-Level Required Courses (for students with no exemptions) • Oral Skills Requirement • Rigorous Written Skills Requirement • Check J.D. Program Checklist (curriculum worksheet) (available in RH 240 and at http://www.regent.edu/acad/schlaw/student_life/studentresources.cfm) • First-Year courses are hard-scheduled (for full-time students)

17. Disability Accommodations • Complete the process for requesting accommodations through the University Disability Services Coordinator www.regent.edu/disabilities. • Must provide description of disability and current documentation from medical provider.

18. Grades • Grades are generally available in Genisys approximately 3 weeks after the last day of exams. • Grades are not mailed to the student. • Unofficial transcripts are available through Genisys. • Official transcripts may be requested through the University Office of the Registrar (available on-line). • Do not request grades directly from a faculty member, a faculty assistant, the law school Registration and Records Manager, or the University Registrar.

19. Grade Norming Policy • Law school has a B/B- norm (2.7-2.9) for all 1L courses. • There is no mandatory curve in terms of distribution of grades. • For classes with Honors sections (e.g., Foundations of Law and Property), the norm will apply to the sections combined, not to each separate section. • For LARW, the norm applies to grades before/not including penalties.

20. Repeating Courses • F in a required course • You must repeat the course to graduate. • D- in a required nonsequential course • You must repeat the course to graduate. • D- in a required sequential course or courses (e.g., Contracts I and II) • You must repeat the course(s) except upon the granting of a petition showing “good cause” that the course or courses need not be repeated. • C- or below in a required course • You may elect to repeat. • Courses are to be repeated the next time they are offered. • Except upon the granting of permission by petition. • Will be academically dismissed if you do not make a “D” or higher in required re-taken course

21. Academic Dismissal • For full-time students • End of first fall semester • 13-18 law credit hours • Cumulative Law GPA < 1.65 • Note you can be dismissed after the fall semester. • End of spring semester, first year • Cumulative Law GPA < 2.00 • Even if in good standing at end of fall.

22. Academic Dismissal • For part-time students • Cumulative GPA < 1.65 at the end of the spring semester of first year of law study, or at the end of the fall semester of second year of law study • Cumulative law GPA < 2.00 at the end of the spring semester of second year in the courses required in the first year of study for full-time, 3-year J.D. students • For both • End of 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year • Cumulative Law GPA < 2.00

23. Academic Dismissal • Can petition for reinstatement no earlier than 9 months after dismissal (unless dismissed due to repeat course policy). • Only rarely granted; see Policies and Procedures Manual for reinstatement criteria. • Reinstated students are automatically on academic probation for first semester of reinstatement.

24. Academic Probation • <19 hours and < 2.00 but not subject to dismissal • Between 1.65 and 2.0 after first semester for full-time students • Part-time students between 1.65 and 2.0 at the end of first year • 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Year • <2.0 at end of fall semester • Cannot register for summer courses • Including study abroad programs • Note that two-year students have specific dismissal and probation requirements.

25. Honor Code • See § 2.1 for a list of conduct that constitutes a violation. • Remember that all students have an obligation to report violations to Dean Van Essendelft and normally to confront other student before so reporting: • § 3.1(a) “If any student has reasonable cause to believe that an Honor Code violation has occurred, the student must report such violation to the Dean for Student Affairs within 10 days of having such cause.” See also § 3.1(b). • Possible sanctions

26. Where to Get Help • Student Affairs Office • Assistant Dean Van Essendelft (RH 226/352H, 352-4689, kimbvan@regent.edu) • Academic Success Program • Study Skills Workshops throughout the year • One-on-one meetings with Prof. Gloria Whittico, RH 353D; contact Carol Dick (352-4325 or caropal@regent.edu) • Your Professors or Your Faculty Mentor • Me! (RH 341, 352-4734, nattgan@regent.edu)

27. Dress Code The Law School desires to prepare students for the professional environment of the practice of law. Accordingly, in matters of dress, students should recognize that they are preparing for career placement and thus should present themselves in a manner consistent with professional standards. While modest casual dress is normally acceptable on campus, recreational and beach attire such as cropped, tank, or midriff shirts, hats, or short shorts are not in keeping with professional standards and are therefore prohibited.