Homecoming festivities have already begun, and this year’s theme is “From Lawrence with Love.” If you’re reading this, you may think that Homecoming has nothing to do with law school. You would be wrong. Although many of the events that occur during Homecoming Week are aimed at the undergraduate student body, the actual day of Homecoming and its festivities are intended for everyone.
As a KU undergrad, I was fortunate to experience Homecoming traditions at KU for many years. Some of the events and my participation have definitely changed since starting law school; however, some things never change. KU prides itself on the unique traditions that give us national recognition. Homecoming gives alumni, current students, future students, family, and friends the opportunity to reunite and continue those traditions as we share them with others.
KU plays Texas Tech at 11 a.m. Saturday, but the Homecoming celebrations begin way before kickoff. The “Pregame Pancakes” begin at 7 a.m. at the Adams Alumni Center parking lot. Proceeds from the breakfast will be donated to the United Way of Douglas County. The Homecoming Parade at 8 a.m. is a great way to bring your friends and family out to see all the different floats that various student organizations have spent all week building.
Tailgating is a great part of celebrating and enjoying football season. The Student Bar Association is hosting a tailgate on the Hill, where free bagels, soft drinks, juices, and beer will be provided. The SBA tailgate is a great way to meet with other students, professors, and alumni in a more casual setting. Many alumni travel from all over to return to Lawrence for Homecoming, and it is a great way to learn about what it was like for them when they were students at KU. My mentor’s husband is a KU Law alumnus, and I met the couple for the first time last year at the Homecoming tailgate. My mentor and I had been in contact since the Mentor Program paired us together, but it was nice meeting her in a relaxed and comfortable situation. Another event where third-year law students have the opportunity to meet alumni is the KU Law Homecoming Reception, which takes place at the Oread immediately following the game.
Regardless of where you went to undergraduate school, your years at Green Hall will make you a Jayhawk for life. I strongly encourage you to go out and experience some of the great traditions the university has to offer. Years from now, you too will be able to return to Lawrence for Homecoming to reminisce and keep the traditions alive.
Juliette Nguyen, 2L and Student Ambassador
Say you’re a 2L who already has one summer of work under your belt. If you get a job offer from a larger company (40 attorneys or more) during the fall semester, NALP requires that they keep this offer open until at least Nov. 1. If the offer is made after Nov. 1, then it should remain open for at least two weeks from the date of the offer letter. After that period of time, the job offer will expire.
I have never been a huge fan of “physical activity.” There’s something about making myself tired and sweaty just for fun that’s always seemed counterproductive to me. However, since all of our law classes are in one building, eliminating any need for walking around campus, I realized I needed to get moving. Fortunately, KU has a lot of exercise options. Some of my sportier friends have joined the 1L flag football team or Lawrence’s ultimate frisbee team, but I wanted something more laid back. I paid a visit to KU’s Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center (the Rec for short) and started taking the yoga and pilates fitness classes they offer regularly. I really like yoga and pilates because they’re not too strenuous, but they allow me to relax, stretch out, and work my poor atrophied muscles. The Rec is free for students, but classes are $3 each, or $50 for a semester pass. That’s a really good deal considering other Lawrence fitness clubs charge between $100-$200 for six months. The Rec offers a wide variety of fitness classes during all times of the day and evening, so it’s easy to set up a schedule that fits my week and stick with it. After I work out, I feel refreshed, refocused and pleasantly reminded that my body is good for something besides sitting hunched over books all day.
Who wants to think about making dinner after a full day of school and studying? Not this law student. I want something easy, quick and cheap, and I can only eat scrambled eggs for dinner so many times in a week. Luckily, Lawrence is full of options that fit my budget. One of my favorite areas to grab a bite is Massachusetts Street. This is Lawrence’s soul, a cute downtown area full of shops and unique (but cheap) restaurants. For great pizza, head to Papa Keno’s, where the slices are big, the toppings are varied and the prices are low. If you’re craving Latin American cuisine, I recommend La Parrilla, which serves authentic dishes in huge portions. Is comfort food what your heart desires? Noodles & Co., although a chain restaurant, is a good bet for warm pastas and a cozy atmosphere. If none of those eateries sounds like what you’re looking for, just take a stroll down Mass. Street some evening and browse. Italian, Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, seafood or a good burger: You’ll find it all at a decent price.
“Social life? What social life?” That’s something I expected to hear from most KU Law students when I first came here. Happily, nothing could be farther from the truth. While law school is undoubtedly time-consuming, the students here place a big value on taking time off to relax and socialize together. The Student Bar Association does a fantastic job of organizing all kinds of events, such as football tailgates, a weekly TGIT (Thank God It’s Thursday) outing to a local bar, and even a spring prom. There are gatherings on a weekly basis where we can all hang out and finally talk about something besides civil procedure. But even if you can’t stand the sight of your classmates after seeing them in class all week (which is unlikely), it’s important to see your friends and get out of your rut. Maintaining your social life will help you maintain your sanity. So find something fun to do with friends once in awhile, whether it’s at a law school function or not.
The KU Public Interest Law Society (PILS) will host its 8th annual Casino Night fundraiser from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, to benefit PILS and KU Endowment. This year’s event at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., will have games, food, drinks and live music. It’s sure to be a good time. But in the excitement it is easy to forget what this event is all about. In the end, Casino Night is not only about playing poker or blackjack; it is also about raising money to support students who wish to spend their summer serving the underrepresented and underprivileged who need legal help.
PILS is an organization dedicated to encouraging law students to explore careers and opportunities in public interest law. We do this predominantly by giving stipends to students who do unpaid summer internships for an organization that practices public interest law. In past years, individually or with stipends from PILS, students have provided legal services in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and have worked at such places as Legal Aid of Western Missouri, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), and a legal aid clinic in Khartoum, Sudan.
I have experienced the benefit of these stipends first hand. This summer, I was able to work at Legal Aid of Western Missouri because of a stipend I received through PILS and KU Endowment. Not only did I gain practical legal experience, but I also met some very inspiring people; people who have dedicated their lives to serving the public interest and who are constantly looking for ways to make a positive change in society. Even when the problems surrounding us feel overwhelming, it is uplifting to know there are so many people out there working to make a change. Some students may really want to obtain a public interest internship but simply cannot afford it. Face it: We all have bills to pay. A stipend makes this more possible and provides students with great opportunities. So join us tonight for a good time and a good cause. Let the games begin!