Today we emailed our mid-year report to all HLS students (if you didn’t get one, let us know). The report outlines what we did this semester and what we plan to do next semester. But, ultimately, your Student Government exists to serve you. So let us know how you think we’re doing and what we could do better!
David
Yesterday students received an email from the Registrar’s Office that, among other things, announced that Spring Disbursement checks would be mailed out after 12/19 and would not be available for pick up at the SFS office earlier. As many of you know, this is a change from last year, where we could pick them up at the office up to a certain point and then they would be mailed.
Many of you have contacted us to express concerns with new policy and how you will get your check before you leave town for the holidays. I have no more info yet, but just wanted to let you know, we are looking in to either an explanation for the change, or if there is any flexibility in the new system, and the administration has already begun replying to our requests to look into it.
Stay tuned,
Brian
UPDATE – We heard from Ken Lafler with a lot of great info and clarification about this issue. First and foremost, there was a misunderstanding from the original email. Checks are being mailed out so that people will RECEIVE them by 12/19, at the latest – and in many cases up to a few days earlier. SFS is limited by the University system for cutting disbursement checks as to how early they can get them out, and they do work very hard to expedite the process on their end so that we can get them before the break. On an individual basis, if you have legitimate concerns about getting your disbursement check in the mail by 12/19 the SFS office would be happy to talk with you to resolve the concern.
A few of you have contacted us expressing concern that at or around midnight, many of the lights in the tunnels are turned off, and during this lovely season of exam preparation, there are often people using the tunnels at that late hour.
The Facilities department has notified us that they will instruct security not to turn off the lights in the tunnels during exams.
(Bring on the “bad-for-environment” complaints. I’m ready for ’em.)
Brian
If you would like to order an HLS Section (I-VII) fleece, see they flyer linked below. The fleeces do not have a class year on them so they can be ordered by any class level that still feels any section solidarity but didn’t get the chance to order one of these fleeces yet. Orders are run through the HBS Student Association and must be placed online anytime next week.
Brian
The Harvard Graduate Council is sponsoring a speed-dating event this Monday, December 8th, at 6:30 PM. Registration starts on Wednesday, 12/3. Here is the website: http://harvardspeeddating.com/.
David
The Student Government just emailed all 1Ls and LLMs a document called “What I Wish I’d Known Before I Took My First HLS Exams: Advice from 2Ls and 3Ls who’ve been there already.” This document is full of helpful study advice from 2Ls and 3Ls, as well as a series of links to poetntially helpful sites about studying for law school exams.
If you did not get the Student Government’s email, let us know (studentgov@law.harvard.edu) and we’ll send you a copy.
David
News@law:
Many people have noted that News@law has been coming out quite late. Later, in fact, than some of the morning event that are listed in it. The Communications office is aware that this is not ideal and is working on ensuring that it comes out earlier.
Office supplies in the vending machines:
They’re supposed to be there. If not in all of them, then in enough so that you shouldn’t have a problem finding them. They should include pens and highlighters at a minimum. Have you seen these items in the vending machines you go to? What other items would you like to see?
CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: the office supplies are only in the snack vending machine in the tunnel to Lewis, and there are only pens and highlighters. Do you think they should be anywhere else or contain any other supplies?
Tea, hot chocolate, soy milk…
All of these things are supposed to be at the free coffee stations in the mornings. We are still working with Restaurant Associates to increase the consistency. Are you finding them consitently?
What else should we be doing for you?
Brian
The Student Government and the WLA are hosting a panel about exam preparation and study for all 1Ls on Wednesday, December 3rd, at 12:00 PM. Lunch will be served.
If there are particular questions you’d like addressed, let us know at studentgov@law.harvard.edu or just respond to this post.
We’ll also have copies of the “What You Wish You’d Known” pamphlet we’re currently putting together.
David
We are opening an ongoing discussion with the new food service provider at the Hark, Restaurant Associates. An important part of that discussion will come from your input. Drop us a comment or an email and tell us what you think about the Hark and the Hark Cafe. Like the food? Don’t like the food? Want something different? Love a new element that RA has brought in? Let us know!
Brian
As grades become (at least a little) less important, interaction with professors will become more important. Today in the HLS Record, I wrote about my belief that there are many opportunities to work with HLS professors (http://media.www.hlrecord.org/media/storage/paper609/news/2008/11/06/Opinion/Letter.Opportunities.To.Work.With.Famous.Professors.Plentiful-3528545.shtml). The trick, in my view, is making sure to go to office hours to cultivate those opportunities. Do you agree? Or is there a problem on campus with the availability / accessibility of HLS professors?
Let us know what you think (studentgov@law.harvard.edu).
David
Here are some of the projects and issues we are currently working on:
Regarding the Unofficial Course Evaluations, we are working hard on compiling the data and getting them up for the Spring ’08 courses. We’ll get them up ASAP.
We are working on a “What you wish you knew before 1L exams” guide for current 1Ls. More information on this will be forthcoming.
People have expressed frustration with the computers in the kiosk at the Hark frequently being inoperable in some way or another. We are currently talking with the Administration to see what can be done about this.
Do you have a concern or idea you’d like us to be working on? Leave a comment here or contact us at studentgov@law.harvard.edu.
Several people have inquired about the possibility of getting classes taped on Election Day and the Monday before. In an effort to promote all students’ ability to volunteer on Election Day, in whatever manner they choose, all classes will be eligible to be taped next Monday and Tuesday. If you are going to miss class next Monday or Tuesday due to the election you can contact the Dean of Students office at dos@law.harvard.edu or the Registrar’s office at registrar@law.harvard.edu to have your class taped.
. . . before taking your first set of HLS exams?
The student government is compiling a list for the 1Ls. Please email studentgov@law.harvard.edu or respond to this post with the things you wish you’d known before your first exam. You will have the gratitude of the entire 1L class.
David
Over the first few weeks of school people have asked us to look into a few different things regarding the free coffee in the morning, the Monday bagels, and the Construction Snack Cart. Basically, the questions were: Will there again be soy milk and hot chocolate at the Pound and Austin coffee stations as there was last year? Will the Monday bagels be back again this year? And will the Wednesday Snack Cart be back again this year?
The answer to all of that is, yes. In fact, I think much of it may have been resolved already, thus making this post a bit pointless, but none the less – here’s what we know. There was no intention to discontinue any of the above. There were some delays and complications caused by the switchover to Restaurant Associates, but all of that should be (or soon will be) ironed out.
On a related note, people continue to ask about getting a free coffee station in Langdell to service those two classrooms. The Dean of Students Office has said they will look into it, but in the past the added cost has been prohibitive.
As always, please contact the Student Government directly or any of your Representatives if you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns.
Want to know where HLSers are spending their summers? Check out the summer contact directory, available here: https://www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/sgov/Restricted-Access/.