Hi-
As promised, here is the second weekly email about commencement.
Included in this email is information on:
1. Ticket Ordering
2. Graduating Students Reception
3. JD Speaker Selection
4. Graduation Award Nominations
5. Disability Accommodations
6. Yearbooks and Congratulatory Ads
1. TICKET ORDERING
You will be able to order tickets to the various ceremonies through our on-line reservation system beginning next Monday, April 16. We will send an e-mail detailing the process next week.
Here’s a quick summary of how the tickets work:
You do not need tickets to any of the events on the Law School campus on Class Day, Wednesday, May 23.
On Commencement Day, Thursday, May 24, you will receive 2 guest tickets for the University’s Morning Ceremony in Harvard Yard (you do not need a ticket as you will be seated with your
class). This is where President Faust will confer your degree. The Law School stands as a group and sits – no individual calling of names (that happens at the next ceremony). This ceremony has about 32,000+ people and is a standing room only crowd. This is not for the faint of heart
since it takes a long time to get in and out of the ceremony (as a rough example, most guests are in their seats by 7:30 am and the ceremony doesn’t start until 9:45). We suggest that people who might tire easily or be more sensitive to temperature opt instead to watch the ceremony in air conditioned comfort on the many screens we will have available in the law school classrooms. Sadly, because the ceremony is so crowded, we cannot give out any additional tickets for this
ceremony so your additional guests are welcome to view the ceremony in the classrooms as well.
After the morning ceremony ends (11:15ish), you return to the Law School for the Luncheon and Diploma Ceremony. This is where Dean Martha Minow hands out degrees individually by degree and section. You get 1 complimentary ticket for lunch. You can purchase additional tickets for lunch ($15 each). Alternatively, your guests are welcome to attend the Law School ceremony without tickets if they would prefer to just sit at a table and not eat lunch. The ceremony is held on Holmes Field (in front of Langdell) and involves 5000 people at 500 tables of 10. The
tables are not reserved so seating is first-come first-served. Everyone gets a seat.
After the Law School Ceremony, you can return to the Yard for the Afternoon Ceremony which includes speeches by President Faust and the Commencement Speaker, Dr. Fareed Zakaria. You get 3 tickets to this ceremony but there is usually room for additional guests. Graduating students don’t need a ticket so long as you are still in academic regalia. This event usually involves 15,000 people.
You will pick up your tickets during the month of May – you will receive an email notifying you. You must be cleared through the Registrar’s and Student Financial Office before receiving your tickets.
2. GRADUATING STUDENTS RECEPTION
Dean Martha Minow invites you to the Graduating Students Reception Wednesday, April 18 in Milstein East: 5:00pm to 7:00pm. An electronic invitation will be forthcoming.
3. JD SPEAKER SELECTION
If you are planning to submit a speech for consideration for the JD speaker at Commencement, the deadline is extended to Friday April 13th, at 5pm. JD students wishing to be considered are asked to submit a written speech that is no longer than 3-5 minutes in length. Speeches must be emailed to the Dean of Students Office ( dos at law.harvard.edu) and speeches will be reviewed by a committee of administrators and students. If you were nominated by your peers through the 3L Marshals poll, please be sure to submit your speech to dos at law.harvard.edu as well. The speeches will be selected on the following criteria: originality and creativity, relevance and significance, and appropriateness for ceremony and audience. Finalists may be invited to present their speech to the committee. Decisions will be announced by Friday, May 4th.
4. GRADUATION AWARD NOMINATIONS
We are soliciting nominations for some graduation awards:
The Dean’s Awards for Community Leadership recognize a number of graduating students who contribute time and energy to making the HLS community a better place through involvement in student organizations, community service groups and individual efforts.
The David Westfall Memorial Award for Student Citizenship is awarded annually to one graduating student for contributions to creating community within the first-year section and class.
The Frank Righeimer Jr. Student Prize for Citizenship is awarded annually to one graduating student to recognize exceptional citizenship within the Law School community through involvement in student organizations, community service groups and individual efforts.
The William J. Stuntz Award, recognizing the graduating student who, in his or her time at Harvard Law School, has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to justice, respect for human dignity, and compassion.
To nominate graduating students for these awards, please email a short statement in support of their nomination to dos at law.harvard.edu by Friday, April 20. Awards will be announced at the Class Day ceremony.
Nominated students will automatically be considered for all of these awards (unless you indicate otherwise). Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
5. DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS
If you or one of your guests is in need of disability accommodations, please be in touch with Natalie Rios ( nrios at law.harvard.edu) in the Dean of Students Office, as soon as possible. The accommodation tickets for the University ceremonies are on a first come, first served basis and are limited.
6. YEARBOOKS AND CONGRATULATORY ADS
If you haven’t already purchased your 2012 yearbook, go to: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A034275… to personalize and order! Your yearbook will be shipped to you later during the summer and will include memories from the 2011-2012 school year, Class Day, and Commencement. Follow this link http://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/ybk_cp_… for more information on purchasing a congratulatory ad for this year’s yearbook to personalize and upload text and photos. Ads are a great way for you, your family, and your friends to memorialize your time at HLS, so feel free to forward this link on to those you love. And it’s still not too late to upload photos of your student organization, journal, events, parties and HLS memories: https://images.jostens.com/login?user=40… If it does not automatically log you into the site, enter username: 400135497 and password: harvardlaw – browse to select the photo(s) you wish to upload. (minimum recommended resolution of 400X600pixels). Enter information about the photo and provide contact information in case the staff needs additional information. Click “Save Details”. It’s that easy! Submit your photos today!
*Please note that the Yearbook Staff will review all photos and determine final yearbook content. We cannot guarantee that all submissions will be used in the book.
Any questions? Email dsaylors at law.harvard.edu
There will be more info to come in the next few weeks about tickets and other important graduation details so please check your email and the Commencement 2012 website regularly. Thanks and enjoy the last weeks of classes!
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Hi- We have to convey a lot of information about graduation and we have tried (and failed) at several formats. We sent it early but it was too early and nobody cared or we sent it later and people were distracted by warm weather and paper deadlines. Here is the plan. From now until graduation, you will receive an email each Monday from our office. We’ll try to keep you on track for deadlines as they approach. You can always get more detailed info at: If you haven’t forwarded this link to your friends and family who will attend graduation, you should do that now. It will save you from answering questions as the big day draws close. Included in this email is information on: 1. GRADUATING STUDENTS RECEPTION 2. ACADEMIC REGALIA The cost of reserving regalia is $81. Students must pay when reserving their attire. Checks, cash, Crimson Cash, and credit cards will all be accepted at The Law Coop. Inquiries about reserving your cap and gown can be directed to Josh Feldman – bksharvardlaw at bncollege.com / 617-499-3255 The good news is that graduating HLS students will be able to pick up their regalia in Wasserstein 1010 between May 21-24. Additional information about regalia pick up and drop off can be found: http://hlscommencement.com/academic-atti… 3. JD SPEAKER SELECTION 4. GRADUATION AWARD NOMINATIONS The Dean’s Awards for Community Leadership recognize a number of graduating students who contribute time and energy to making the HLS community a better place through involvement in student organizations, community service groups and individual efforts. The David Westfall Memorial Award for Student Citizenship is awarded annually to one graduating student for contributions to creating community within the first-year section and class. The Frank Righeimer Jr. Student Prize for Citizenship is awarded annually to one graduating student to recognize exceptional citizenship within the Law School community through involvement in student organizations, community service groups and individual efforts. The William J. Stuntz Award, recognizing the graduating student who, in his or her time at Harvard Law School, has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to justice, respect for human dignity, and compassion. To nominate graduating students for these awards, please email a short statement in support of their nomination to dos at law.harvard.edu by Friday, April 20. Awards will be announced at the Class Day ceremony. Nominated students will automatically be considered for all of these awards (unless you indicate otherwise). Please feel free to contact us with any questions. 5. DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS 6. YEARBOOKS AND CONGRATULATORY ADS There will be more info to come in the next few weeks about tickets and other important graduation details so please check your email and the Commencement 2012 website regularly. Thanks and enjoy the last couple week of classes! To all Rising 2Ls and 3Ls: Mark your calendars… o Fall Elective Courses: *IMPORTANT: Legal Profession courses will not be open to rising 2Ls in this registration period. Instead you should plan to register for available Legal Profession seats through add/drop and the Spring 2013 elective registration that will take place next fall. The Registrar’s Office is offering HELIOS training sessions on the following dates: Please contact the Registrar’s Office if you have any further questions. ( registrar at law.harvard.edu) Lisa Burns I Registrar I Harvard Law School | 1585 Massachusetts Ave. Suite 4007, Cambridge, MA 02138 I (617-495-5440 Health Insurance Waiver Deadline: 2/28 Dependent Health Insurance Deadline: 2/28 Health Insurance for Graduating Students After Hours Urgent Care: Schedule appointments online Reading and Study Strategies (Spring 2012) Before you feel anxiety about your grades, think about the following… Most of us will tell you that nothing, even the bar exam, felt as formidable as the first law school exam - so congrats on getting through yesterday! Please stop thinking about yesterday’s exam. Most faculty will tell you that no student comes close to hitting all of the possible issues and points to be made in an exam so if you discuss it with friends, you will inevitably start fretting about points you missed. Remember – · If you have a question about exam logistics or the exam software, contact the Registrar’s Office (Pound 300) registrar@law.harvard.edu or 617-495-4612 · If you have a problem related to an illness, or personal, family or medical emergency, contact Cat Collins in the Dean of Students Office (Pound 310) ccollins@law.harvard.edu or 617-495-1880 · During the exam, for any kind of emergency (software or personal), contact the proctor. As Dean Minow mentioned in her email, we are kicking off the Living Well in the Law Initiative this afternoon. Please join us at 5pm in Ames to hear Barry Schwartz, Professor of Social Theory and Social Action, Swarthmore College speak on Practical Wisdom: The Right way to do the Right Thing. Dinner will be served. Prof Schwartz is author of a number of books including: The Paradox of Choice As Americans, we assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction. But beware of excessive choice: choice overload can make you question the decisions you make before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for any and all failures. In the long run, this can lead to decision-making paralysis. And in a culture that tells us that there is no excuse for falling short of perfection when your options are limitless, too much choice can lead to clinical depression. The Costs of Living: How Market Freedom Erodes the Best Things in Life Americans have come to view more and more of their lives in free-market, economic terms. Market thinking has permeated education, the professions, sports, family and friendship, and politics. This book presents a criticism of this market view of life, arguing that most of what is good about education, medicine, law, sports, love, friendship, and democratic politics is undermined if the market gets too close to them. Indeed, even the market stops working if people behave in it in the way that economists say people always behave. Thus, the book argues, the market erodes the best things in life, and must be restrained, not encouraged, in its movement into places where it doesn’t belong. The book is aimed at a non-professional audience. The Battle for Human Nature: Science, Morality and Modern Life This book presents the view of human nature as entirely governed by self-interest that is shared by the disciplines of evolutionary biology, neoclassical economics, and behavioral psychology. It shows what these disciplines have in common in their approach to understanding human nature, and contrasts their view with most people’s everyday conceptions of what human nature is like. After presenting the theoretical perspectives of each of these disciples, the book turns a critical eye on them, and argues that their views are at best limited, and often simply wrong. However, the book finally argues, we cannot expect the errors of these disciplines to be self-correcting, for if people and the social institutions they live within come to believe these disciplines, then our social lives will come to look more and more like a confirmation of the picture of human nature that they paint. The last two chapters of the book sketch a picture of the mean-spirited world that would result if we took these disciplines to be telling us the truth about human beings. The style of the book is aimed at educated non-professionals You can read more at cosgrove@law.harvard.edu I Dean of Students Office Web Page Dean Minow will moderate the conversation today at 5pm in the Ames Courtroom. Overflow seating will be available in Austin North, East, and West. Please note: space is limited in the courtroom as well as the overflow rooms. Seating will be available on a first come, first served basis and will begin at 4:00pm. A Harvard ID will be required for admission to the lecture and no backpacks, cellphones, laptops, recording devices, cameras, food, or drink will be allowed in the courtroom or overflow rooms. A reception will follow. Welcome back! We will be offering scheduled tours of the new WCC building during the fall semester but since many of you are here early, we wanted to offer you a preview. If you are interested in a tour of the new WCC building in the next few days, please read on: We have tours scheduled on Tuesday August 16, Thursday August 18, and Tuesday August 23, starting at 3:30, 4:00, and 4:30 pm and lasting 20-25 minutes each. The tours are available on a first come, first served basis. To sign up go to http://www.supersaas.com/schedule/DOSO/W… · Click the day and time you wish to take the tour. · If spots are available in your chosen time, click ‘New Reservation’ · Enter your full name and HLS e-mail then click ‘Create Reservation’ · If you wish to cancel or change a reservation, email Tim Cusack ( tcusack at law.harvard.edu) The building is still a construction site. While hard hats and goggles are no longer required, we do ask that you wear flat, closed-toe shoes. Tours will depart from the walkway between the Hark and Story Hall. Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time with appropriate shoes and your HUID. No photos or video may be taken during the tour. We hope you enjoy this first glimpse inside the new building! Ellen M. Cosgrove I Associate Dean & Dean of Students I Harvard Law School I 1563 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge, MA 02138 I (617-495-1881 * cosgrove at law.harvard.edu I Dean of Students Office Web PageCommencement Email #1
http://hlscommencement.com/
1. Graduating Students Reception
2. Academic Regalia
3. JD Speaker Selection
4. Graduation Award Nominations
5. Disability Accommodations
6. Yearbook
Dean Martha Minow invites you to the Graduating Students Reception Wednesday, April 18th in Milstein East: 5:00pm to 7:00pm. An electronic invitation will be forthcoming.
The deadline to order academic regalia (consisting of a cap, gown, and hood) is Wednesday, April 4th. To order, graduating students can go to The Law Coop on the first floor of Wasserstein and complete a form with information on size and degree. The hours for reserving regalia Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm.
If you are planning to submit a speech for consideration for the JD speaker at Commencement, the deadline is Wednesday April 11th, at 5pm. JD students wishing to be considered are asked to submit a written speech that is no longer than 3-5 minutes in length. Speeches must be emailed to the Dean of Students Office ( dos at law.harvard.edu) and speeches will be reviewed by a committee of administrators and students. If you were nominated by your peers through the 3L Marshals poll, please be sure to submit your speech to dos at law.harvard.edu as well. The speeches will be selected on the following criteria: originality and creativity, relevance and significance, and appropriateness for ceremony and audience. Finalists may be invited to present their speech to the committee. Decisions will be announced by Friday, May 4th.
We are soliciting nominations for some graduation awards:
If you or one of your guests is in need of disability accommodations, please be in touch with Natalie Rios ( nrios at law.harvard.edu) in the Dean of Students Office.
If you haven’t already purchased your 2012 yearbook, go to: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A034275… to personalize and order! Your yearbook will be shipped to you later during the summer and will include memories from the 2011-2012 school year, Class Day, and Commencement. Follow this link http://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/ybk_cp_… for more information on purchasing a congratulatory ad for this year’s yearbook to personalize and upload text and photos. Ads are a great way for you, your family, and your friends to memorialize your time at HLS, so feel free to forward this link on to those you love. And it’s still not too late to upload photos of your student organization, journal, events, parties and HLS memories: https://images.jostens.com/login?user=40… If it does not automatically log you into the site, enter username: 400135497 and password: harvardlaw – browse to select the photo(s) you wish to upload. (minimum recommended resolution of 400X600pixels). Enter information about the photo and provide contact information in case the staff needs additional information. Click “Save Details”. It’s that easy! Submit your photos today!
*Please note that the Yearbook Staff will review all photos and determine final yearbook content. We cannot guarantee that all submissions will be used in the book.
Any questions? Email dsaylors at law.harvard.edu
http://hlscommencement.com/Catalog and Registration Updates
The 2012-2013 Course Catalog is now available on the Curriculum web page. http://www.law.harvard.edu/academics/cur…
Registration information can be found on the web at the following link. http://www.law.harvard.edu/academics/reg…
o Clinical, Legal Profession*, and Multi-section Courses (Full Year):
o Opens Wednesday, March 28 at 9am
o Closes Monday, April 2 at 11:59pm
o Results will be available in HELIOS on Thursday, April 5 at 5:00pm
o Opens Monday, April 9 at 9:00am
o Closes Monday, April 16 at 11:59pm
o Results will be available in HELIOS on Thursday, April 19 at 5:00pm
o Thursday, March 22 from 12pm – 1pm in Milstein East B
o Tuesday, March 27 from 5:30pm – 6:30pm in Milstein West A
In addition, information about using HELIOs can be found by following the HELIOS link on the Registrar’s webpage.
Thank you,
Lisa Burns
* lburns at law.harvard.edu I Office of the Registrar Web PageFebruary HUHS Announcements
Waiver application deadline for spring 2012 is February 28. Students with comparable health insurance who wish to waive HUSHP Student Health Insurance Plan must submit applications online prior to the deadline in order to remove term bill charges. Info: http://hushp.harvard.edu/waive
Dependent insurance enrollment and renewals for the 2012 spring term must be submitted by February 28 in order to be eligible for coverage. Applications after this date will not be accepted. Info: http://hushp.harvard.edu/hushp-student-d…
The Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) expires on July 31. Plan ahead early in order to secure insurance coverage for August 1. More information on options for graduating students:
http://hushp.harvard.edu/graduating-stud…
Visit HUHS Patient Login to view available times and schedule a same-day appointment for non-routine care in our After Hours Urgent Care Clinic. Appointments from 6:00-11:00PM are available to book online beginning at 3:00PM, Monday-Friday. HUID required.
Harvard Reading/Study Strategies Course: 2 weeks, morning or afternoon sessions, February 6-17 at Science Center, Lecture Hall E. To register, go to Bureau of Study Counsel at 5 Linden St. or call 617-495-2581. More info: http://bsc.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keywor…Reminder: WCC Celebration Today
A Message From Student Government About Grades
Former Dean Elena Kagan received several B’s during law school, especially her first year. She went on to become the first female dean of Harvard Law
School, the U.S. Solicitor General, and the 112th Supreme Court Justice.
HLS Tax Law Professor Halperin received his worst law school grade in: tax.
Dean Cosgrove received a Property exam back that had a note from the professor saying “this is exactly what I warned you not to do” – followed by her
lowest grade since kindergarten. She went on to work at a top law firm before becoming a Dean at Harvard.
At the time Judge Posner hired Professor Sitkoff to be his law clerk, Professor Sitkoff had received his lowest grade in law school in Law and Economics
– which had been taught by Judge Posner. Thereafter, he had one grade that was worse – in legal ethics. He graduated law school with High Honors.
Professor Singer earned a B- in Property. After graduating, he clerked, worked at a law firm, and has written one of the leading casebooks and treatises
on – wait for it – property. He has also authored two theoretical books on property and teaches Property courses at Harvard.
Professor Suk received her worst grade in law school – and ever – in Criminal Law. She went on to practice and research in Criminal Law. No employer
has ever asked about her grade, and her Criminal Law professor has remained a powerful mentor and reference for her throughout her career. “I care
much more about students’ preparation and performance in a course throughout a long semester than about performance on one timed exam taken on
one day,” she says.
Professor Michelman’s worst law school grade was a C+ in Property. He has written and published repeatedly in the field and has taught Property
courses at Harvard for over 40 years.
Professor Greiner received his worst grade on the exam he felt best about after finishing. And he nonetheless was retained as a research assistant for
the course’s professor.
Professor Scott got a D in constitutional law. “We do some of that here,” Justice White told Scott when he went for a clerkship interview. Scott
nonetheless was selected to serve as one of Justice White’s few Supreme Court law clerks.
Professor Meltzer’s father was a law professor who taught labor law. His lowest grade in law school was in: labor law. His labor law professor later said
to him, “I thought you might have done better, so I re-read your exam and it was every bit as bad as I thought it was the first time.”
Professor Ramseyer received a B on an exam at Harvard Law School and went into the professor’s office to complain. On the professor’s desk was a
plaque that guided his grading – he reserved B’s for “excellent, perceptive exams.” The professor told Ramseyer he had gotten a B because he “wrote
an excellent exam.”
In the second semester of his two-semester Contracts course, Professor Goldberg earned himself a B-. The next year, his former Contracts professor
hired him as a TA to help 1Ls with the class. Years later, as a Vanderbilt professor, Goldberg was awarded a teaching prize for teaching … Contracts.
Professor Barnes received a pass on his Trust and Estates exam while a friend whom he tutored received honors. Upon review of their exams,
Professor Barnes realized that his friend had given the obvious answers while he had read nuances into the questions that were not intended. He
learned two important lessons: 1) when you hear hoofbeats, think horses first, and not zebras and 2) the line between “honors” and “pass” is blurred.
“I know a guy who got mainly C’s his first year at HLS. He went on to become general counsel of a major federal agency, leading lawyer in his field, and
author of the leading casebook in his field. It is much more about the passion you have for your field than anything.” – Professor Einer Elhauge
Dean Martha Minow’s sister’s law school grades were so troubling during her first year that she never picked up her grades after that. Last year, she was
honored as a distinguished alum for her professional accomplishments, and no one even thought of her grades.
Professor Neuman’s first semester grades were quite mediocre and his criminal law teacher (Professor Nesson) told him that he didn’t know how to take
a law school exam. Neuman spent time with Professor Nesson learning how to take exams and revising his approach. Professor Neuman went on to
graduate first in his class at Harvard Law School, though no one asked about his grades when he ran for a seat on the UN Human Rights Committee.
Be well,
Your Harvard Law School Student Government
studentgov at mail.law.harvard.eduOne Down
Barry Schwartz Lecture in Ames
A Conversation With Justice Kagan
New Building Tours