Law School Academic Support Blog

ASP Position at Hofstra

Hofstra University School of Law is looking for a new Associate Director of Academic Support Programs.  Below is the job announcement.

Associate Director of Academic Support Programs

The Academic Support Program Associate Director will assist in all aspects of Hofstra Law School’s Academic Support Program, which is designed to help students develop the academic skills necessary for success in law school, on the bar exam, and in practice.

The Associate Director will teach first and second – year skills classes work with students in individual and small group sessions, and conduct skills workshops. The Associate Director will also help identify and assist students who need additional academic support, and will help design and implement programs. The Associate Director will assist with the law school bar exam preparation programs, which will provide bar exam information to students, organize bar – exam related events, and conduct bar-exam programs and classes. This is a daytime weekday position, but some evening and weekend work will be required.

Applicants must have a J.D., a strong academic record, and experience that demonstrate a potential for excellence in academic support. Experience in law school academic support program, or other relevant teaching experience, is strongly preferred. The successful candidate must possess strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work collaboratively with all members of the law school community, and excellent writing, speaking, and organizational skills.

The Associate Director will vote in faculty meetings.  After a series of two-year contracts, the Associate Director will be eligible to apply for presumptively renewable five-year contracts.

Send resume and writing sample to:

Professor Roy Simon
c/o Sharron Pappaccio
Hofstra University School of Law
Hempstead, NY 11549–1210

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

(dbw)

Remembering ...

I remember Januaries.

They begin with the AALS Conference where most of us show up to share ideas, eat too many cookies, scurry through the Thompson-West exhibit getting our cards initialed so we get the free gift and qualify for the big drawing, and ask, “Where is [fill in blank] ... did she retire already?”  Then those of us who can show up at the pre-dawn (well, it always seems like that anyway) Academic Support Section overpriced breakfast meeting near the end of the week to ask each other, “Who’s hosting the summer meeting(s) this year?”

The following Monday we all return to our offices to welcome the students back for the spring semester.  (Students in the northeast, as I vaguely recall, often return to snow.)  All of them are asking the same question: “When do we get our grades?”  The wunnelles are asking, “If my grades are horrible, can I get a refund on my spring semester books and get my tuition back?” Some have made New Year’s resolutions to study more efficiently, or visit the pub less, etc., etc. 

The long wait for grades ensues.  As they trickle in, so do the students – to make appointments with either the Dean of Students or the Academic Support Director (or both).  Some drop by to offer gratitude, but most arrive with an array of emotions ranging from disappointment to shock – a few with anger.  (I remember one student who arrived with her mother.  They both explained that the student had graduated at the top of her college class, had an IQ in the genius range, and – most importantly – had several lawyers in her family (not Mom).  The visit was to inform me that there’s something seriously wrong with a school that can’t figure out that she should be at the top of her class – her highest grade was a C.  She withdrew.) 

But this time of the year is when Academic Support professionals can do some of their most effective work – many students are now willing to admit that what you told them at Orientation really did apply to them.

If you’re relatively new to Academic Support and fortunate enough to be able to attend the AALS Conference, that’s a question to be asking your colleagues –“How can I be most effective in January for the students who have disappointing grades?”  Search out the “veterans” and find out their (open) secrets.  As weird as January is around a law school, it can be a very productive time for the Academic Support staff!

Me? No AALS this year. I wish I could! But the distance between New York and Montevideo is about 5,500 miles, the air fare is prohibitive, and I just compared the weather report for January in New York to January on Pocitos Beach in Montevideo.  (Remember, it’s summer in South America in December.)

Also, the academic support I’m providing to students of Concord Law School via cyberspace is of a different variety – for me it’s limited to extensive (written) exam-answering improvement advice, including (unlike yesteryear in law schools with buildings) explanations of the underlying law when appropriate.  I spend fifteen to twenty hours each week at this pursuit, reviewing essay answers that range from beginning students’ awkward attempts, to crystal clear, concise, excellent, lawyerlike answers.  My comments are composed of footnotes to most every issue discussed by the student, followed by “overall” suggestions on how to improve.  All of my work is reviewed by the professor teaching the class (and modified if necessary) before being sent to the students.

Of course this is time consuming.  After reviewing many hundreds of exam questions (Torts, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property, Evidence), I still spend at least thirty minutes (usually longer) on each one.  That’s what makes this type of feedback both (a) very valuable for the students, but (b) virtually impossible for a one-person academic support office at the typical law school-within-walls to handle.  But I’ve got to say – this is something I’ve always believed students need: practice, practice, practice … with substantial feedback consisting primarily of encouraging positive improvement advice.

So even though I don’t get to see the smiling faces of the successful students, I suppose that’s balanced somewhat by the time not spent with … well, you know. 

I have to admit that “going to work” (in my living room) in attire ranging from pajamas to blue jeans is a plus, too.

Enjoy AALS – I will truly miss a week with you.  (djt)

ABA Web List of All Law Blogs

While on the ABA web site today for another reason, I came across their web page of All Law Blawgs.  Many of you probably noticed the Top 100 blawgs article in a recent issue of the ABA Journal.  This more extensive list is very helpful.  Our own blog is listed under the "law schools" category.  (Amy Jarmon)

ASP Opening at UCLA

Sunny California?  Here's an opportunity:

Director of Academic Support, UCLA School of Law

The Director of Academic Support is responsible for the academic support program at the law school.  The position includes both administrative responsibilities and the teaching of traditional doctrinal courses.  The program currently includes a week-long summer program for incoming students, a teaching assistant program for first-year classes, an academic support section of a first-year course, a standard upper-year course with academic support sections, and significant individual and group counseling. 

Opening is for 2008-2009 academic year.  Job Qualifications:  ability to think imaginatively and critically about the relationship of academic support to legal education; ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds; solid law school academic record; prior teaching and/or academic support experience desirable, but not required; strong desire to teach.   

Full-time position and non-tenure faculty status as lecturer.

The law school is an equal opportunity employer and has a special interest in enriching its intellectual environment through further diversifying the range of perspectives represented within the faculty.

Please send resume and cover letter by February 5, 2008 to:  Steven Bank, Vice Dean, UCLA School of Law, Box 95-1476, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1476 or fax to (310) 206-7147. (dbw)

The Complete Lawyer Web Site

The Complete Lawyer Volume 3, Issue 5 explores what law schools can do better.  There are multiple articles that may be of interest to ASP professionals.

There is also a list of blogs related to legal life and practice available on the site at Law Blogs.  Some of the links to blogs on life balance may be good additions to "favorites" on your browser.   (Amy Jarmon)