So: from here. We’re currently working with DOS and Restaurant Associates to figure out how to best implement the program while addressing student concerns that cut the other way. We’re also waiting on the reusable mugs to be ordered and received.

Just thought we’d keep you up to date!

• Student Government Pub Nights: very popular weekly happy hours for students, with free beer and wine (starting this year on Thursday, Oct. 1!)
• Faculty-Student Lunch Program: every year, we arrange for students to have free lunches with distinguished HLS professors.
• Organize and distribute Unofficial Course Evaluations each semester.
• Solicited, collected, and presented student feedback regarding the grade change to Dean Kagan.
• Solicited, collected, and presented student feedback regarding the switch to the Early Interview Program to Office of Career Services.
• Formed and headed a student committee to meet with President Faust on the new dean search.
• Changed news@law in order to allow students to plan their weeks more conveniently.
• Convinced administration to buy toasters for the 2008-2009 free Monday morning bagel breakfasts.
• Obtained Splenda, strawberry cream cheese, and Heinz ketchup in the Hark.
• Worked with Restaurant Associates to respond to vegetarian students’ needs, including increased quantity of vegetarian sushi and better vegetarian labeling.
• Increased quantity of sweat towels at the Hemenway gym.
• Successfully advocated to see the Hark re-open from 2:30-5:00 to serve students’ needs in 2009.
• Distributed bags filled with candy and faculty advice to the 1Ls when they received their grades.
• Created a database of 3Ls willing to give 2Ls advice on applying to law firms.
• Dodgeball tournament (co-sponsored with HL Central and the intramural sports).
• Approved of many new students groups in 2008-2009.

• Soy milk out of stock at the free coffee stations.  We have heard that the soy milk at the free coffee stations was running out regularly.  Since our discussion, RA has made an effort to put out more soy milk at those stations.  Is it working?  Is it still running out?
• Sweetened soy milk.  Students have commented that the soy milk at the coffee stations is now sweetened and that they would prefer it to be unsweetened so that they can control the sweetness of their coffee.  RA is under the impression that it has always been sweetened soy milk at the coffee stations, but they are willing to use whichever the majority of students prefer, but only one type.  Which do you prefer?
• Splenda.  They were out for a while.  It was a distributor problem.  They shouldn’t be out anymore.  Are they?
• Protein Bars.  People have asked for a selection of protein bars like Balance Bars or Zone Bars to be carried at the Hark.  RA brought in a selection of protein bars for the Earth Day celebration last week, and has indicated that they would be willing to carry those that sold well during that period last week.  Have you seen any of these protein bars yet?
• Vegetarian Sushi.  We’ve received many requests for more vegetarian sushi – both more options and more quantity.  RA has adjusted the sushi order to add more avocado and cucumber rolls and increase the general amount of vegetarian sushi they order.  How’s the quantity of vegetarian sushi looking now?

As mentioned, we’ve inquired about all of the above issues in response to your feedback.  Let us know what you think or if you have other concerns.

Brian

Sixteen teams competed, and congrats to the winning team: “Wish this were softball.”

The HLS Student Government is pleased to announce the return of a great institution: DODGEBALL.

Friday, April 24, you will have license to drink (free) beer and then throw red balls off of your classmates.

Get your teams together. We have room for 16 teams made up of fifteen or more players. The tournament will be a one-afternoon event near the Hark. The opening round will start at about 3:30. The Championship Game should be finished by 7:30.

We understand that getting 15 people together may be difficult, so we will allow you to submit partial teams of either 5 or 10 players. These partial teams will be grouped together to form the proper number. Because of the time and space constraints, priority will be given to the full 15 player teams.

The sign ups will start Thursday, April 15 at noon, first come first serve. We will send another email that morning with these registration details, but have your teams ready!

Brian

———-
It’s a (pre-emptive) St. Patrick’s Day Celebration…

“Your Lucky Night”

Thursday, March 12th
9 o’clock pm

McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon (near Faneuil Hall)
148 State Street, Boston
http://www.mcfaddensboston.com/

*NO cover charge
*FREE pint of Guinness for first 100 to arrive

LIVE Irish music 9:30-10:30pm

Grab a buddy and join us at one of Boston’s most dynamic establishments for a
night of Irish-themed revelry. Come early to get your FREE pint o’ Guinness and
stay to enjoy the lively music and pleasant company.

Brought to you by Harvard Graduate Council

Brian

“BEER SCHOOL WEDNESDAY 5 PM!

Come grab your tickets for HARPOON BEER SCHOOL, Wednesday at 5 pm at the Cambridge Queen’s Head!

Harpoon will be bringing and speaking about their signature 100 Barrel and Leviathan Series, as well as their Celtic Ale and our very own 1636. Tickets are $10 at the bar, grab them any time during the day.

$10 buys you at least 4 frosty beverages with matched food to go with each. Tickets are going fast, so grab yours today!”

• Faculty departures for DC: All courses this year were covered by HLS faculty or visitors. Next year’s curriculum will feature many great visiting professors (especially in environmental law), and there should be no significant effect from the faculty departures.
• Curriculum in general: Along with picking classes this Spring, students will be able to fill out a poll about which courses they’d like to see offered. Some of those courses might be added by next year, but some certainly will be added by the year after.
• OCI will be the week before school starts. Flyout week will be the week of September 14th. There may be events for 3Ls during that time, such as symposia on research opportunities or empirical methods classes. In addition, the school will celebrate Columbus Day, creating a small break later in the fall.
• Financial crisis: HLS’s three priorities are “building a terrific faculty, having terrific teaching, and honoring financial aid commitments.” There may be cuts in other “not central” areas (but not coffee). In addition, the NW Corner project will proceed as planned. Furthermore, Harvard University is working with JP Morgan to ensure that all international students have access to loans similar to those that were suspended because of the financial crisis.
• The search process for a permanent Dean, led by President Faust, has begun. She will likely reach out to students, staff, alumni, and even employers during the process.
• 2L Mixed Transcripts: 2Ls will graduate with Latin honors, based on an averaging of their A/B/C and HP/P/LP grades. The algorithm for that weighting is not public, however.
• Next year’s academic calendar has almost no time between Winter Term and Spring Term. On the other hand, synchronizing with the rest of the University allows for much better cross-registration opportunities. 
• The “Programs of Study” are in beta-test mode now. They will become more significant in the future.
• MyPlan will be fixed, but slowly.

David

David