Student Rights and Responsibilities

School of Law Vision Statement

Creating a national model of engaged learning in legal education.

School of Law Mission Statement

Elon’s Law School will:

  1. Complement and strengthen the University’s existing programs, particularly those that relate to the arts and sciences, experiential education, technology and its application, international studies and programs, business, leadership and public service;
  2. Be a national leader in examining and addressing opportunities and problems in the legal profession and legal education through research, public service and innovation;
  3. Provide a distinctive program of legal education that will develop exceptionally educated, well-motivated, technologically savvy, internationally aware, and effective lawyer-leaders for whom there will be a continuing need;
  4. Help meet the national and regional demand for legal education in times of great demand, and compete successfully for excellent, well-motivated law students in times of diminished demand; and
  5. Be positioned qualitatively within the University as a synergistic center of excellence that helps generate resources of talent, energy, commitment, information, credibility and capital that will assist Elon in implementing stable, continuous improvements to each and every one of the University’s integral components.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Elon University and its School of Law do not discriminate with regard to race, color, creed, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff or the operation of any of its programs.

School of Law Statement on Personal Responsibility

Members of the Law School community are expected to conduct themselves in ways that will reflect credit upon themselves, the School of Law, the University, and the legal profession. Students aspiring to the Bar are required to behave appropriately, to respect the rights and privileges of others, and to abide by the law and by the regulations of the University and the School of Law.

A student may be temporarily suspended from one or more classes if such action is necessary to protect members of the Law School community, visitors, or school property or to avoid serious interference with the educational mission of the Law School. Students whose conduct does not violate the Honor Code but nevertheless interferes with the academic environment, casts serious doubt on the judgment or maturity of a student, or subjects the School to potential embarrassment will be counseled by the Office of Career and Student Development. Written record of any private reprimand shall remain in the student’s file while the student is in school.

Honor Code

The Elon University School of Law Honor Code, initially adopted in February 2009 and as subsequently amended, applies to all Elon Law students. Its jurisdiction extends to all law school-related endeavors undertaken by students enrolled in Elon Law, as well as when an Elon Law student identifies himself or herself as an Elon Law student. As a condition to continuing as an Elon Law student, each student entering Elon Law agrees to be bound by this Code by signing an agreement. Students should familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code. The text of the Code and an Honor Code Violation Report Form are available here.

The implementation and success of the Honor Code rests with every law student. The Code prohibits: (a) Academic Dishonesty; (b) Stealing; (c) Vandalism; (d) Lying; (e) Plagiarism; (f) Technology Violation; (g) Obtaining an Unfair Advantage; and (h) Abusing the Code. If a student is unsure of the scope of this Code or its applicability to a particular activity, it is the responsibility of the student to seek guidance from the Honor Council. The Honor Council is responsible for the administration of the procedures set forth in the Code and for the interpretation of the Code.

Calendar

Fall Semester 2016

Bar Foundations Session 2016 – OPTIONAL

August 15 (Monday) – Bar Foundations Session Begins

September 5 (Monday) –Labor Day Holiday

September 8 (Thursday) – Last Day of Bar Foundations Session

September 9 (Friday) – Bar Foundations Final Exam

Fall Session 2016

September 12 (Monday) – 2L Fall Session Begins

October 7 – 9 (Friday – Sunday) – Fall Break

November 21 (Monday) – Last Day of 2L Fall Session (Operate on a Friday schedule)

November 22 – 25 (Tuesday– Friday) – Thanksgiving Holidays

November 26-28 (Saturday-Monday) – Reading Days

November 29 – December 5 (Tuesday – Monday) – Final Exam Period

Winter Session 2016 – OPTIONAL

December 7 – 20 (Wednesday – Tuesday ) – Intensive Electives/Study Away

Spring Semester 2017 2

Spring Session 2017

January 4 (Wednesday) – Winter Session Begins

January 16 (Monday) – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

March 15 (Wednesday)– Last Day of Winter Session (Operate on a Monday Schedule)

March 16 - 19 (Thursday – Sunday) – Reading Days

March 20 – 26 (Monday - Sunday) – Final Exam Period

Spring Break 2017 (All Classes)

March 27 – April 2 (Monday – Sunday) – Spring Break

Short Spring Session 2017

April 3 (Monday) – Short Spring Session Begins

April 14 (Friday) – Good Friday Holiday

May 8 (Monday) – Last Day of Short Spring Session (Operates on a Friday Schedule)

May 9-10 (Tuesday- Wednesday) - Reading Days

May 11 – 13 (Thursday –Saturday) - Final Exam Period

May 19-21 (Friday – Sunday) – Law School Commencement Weekend (anticipated)

2016-2017 Academic Year

2L August Session 2016

Public Law & Leadership; Professional Responsibility

August 15 (Monday) – 2L August Session Begins

September 5 (Monday) –Labor Day Holiday

September 8 (Thursday) – Last Day of 2L August Session

September 9 (Friday) – Final Exam Period

2L Fall Session 2016

September 12 (Monday)– 2L

Fall Session Begins

October 7 – 9 (Friday – Sunday) – Fall Break

November 21 (Monday) – Last Day of 2L Fall Session (Operate on a Friday schedule)

November 22 – 25 (Tuesday– Friday) – Thanksgiving Holidays

November 26-28 (Saturday-Monday) – Reading Days

November 29 – December 5 (Tuesday– Monday) – Final Exam Period

2L December Session 2016 -OPTIONAL

December 7 – 20 (Wednesday- Tuesday) – Intensive Electives/Study Away

2L Winter Session 2017

January 4 (Wednesday) – Winter Session Begins

January 16 (Monday) – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

March 15 (Wednesday)– Last Day of Winter Session(Operate on a Monday Schedule)

March 16 -19 (Thursday – Sunday) – Reading Days

March 20 – 26 (Monday - Sunday) – Final Exam Period

Spring Break 2017

March 27 – April 2 (Monday – Sunday) – Spring Break

2L Spring Session 2017

April 3 (Monday) – Spring Session Begins

April 14 (Friday) – Good Friday Holiday

May 29 (Monday) – Memorial Day Holiday

June 9 (Friday) – Last Day of Spring Session

June 10 – 12 (Saturday – Monday) – Reading Days

June 13 – 18 (Tuesday – Sunday) – Final Exam Period

SEE FOOTNOTE 1 BELOW -

Short Spring Session 2017

April 3 (Monday) – Short Spring Session Begins

April 14 (Friday) – Good Friday Holiday

May 8 (Monday) – Last Day of Short Spring Session (Operates on a Friday Schedule)

May 9-10 (Tuesday -Wednesday) -Reading Days

May 11 – 13 (Thursday –Saturday) -Final Exam Period

Summer Session I 2017 (All Classes)

June 27 (Tuesday) – Summer Session I Begins

July 4 (Tuesday) – Independence Day Holiday

Students in the Class of December 2017 may also take courses in the “Short Spring Session 2017” targeted primarily toward students in the Class of May 2017. The Short Spring Session 2017 runs from April 3–May 13, 2017.

Financial Responsibilities

Financial registration is an important aspect of registering for law school and it is considered complete only when all charges are paid or when the Bursar’s Office has approved deferred payment arrangements. Students who plan to use financial aid funds to complete registration must make sure that they will cover the entire balance.

If a student is not financially registered by the first week of classes, that student will not be allowed to attend classes and may be removed from classes by the Registrar.

Classroom Responsibilities

Attendance, Preparation, and Class Participation

The Law School administers a policy requiring that a student maintain regular and punctual class attendance in all courses in which the student is registered, including externships, clinical courses, and simulation courses. Faculty members will give students written notice of their attendance policies before or during the first week of class. These policies may include, but are not limited to: treating late arrivals, early departures, and/or lack of preparation as absences; imposing grade or point reductions for absences, including assigning a failing grade or involuntarily withdrawing a student from the class, and any other policies that a professor deems appropriate to create a rigorous and professional classroom environment.

In case of illness or emergency, students may contact the Office of Career and Student Development, which will then notify the student’s instructors. A student may notify the faculty member directly of a planned absence and should refer to individual faculty members regarding any policy that may apply. In the case of prolonged illness or incapacity, the student should contact the Office of Career and Student Development.

Inclement Weather

In case of inclement weather, call (336) 278-2423 (278-2ICE) for scheduling changes. Changes will also be posted on the Elon Law website and sent to you via e-mail at the earliest possible opportunity after decisions about such scheduling changes are made.

Dress Code

The professional nature of the school should be considered in matters of attire. Students should dress and groom themselves in a manner consistent with, and which will best reflect, the professional aspect of their enrollment and the professional nature of the Law School. Certain courses such as Trial Practice and Procedure and some events will require students to dress in courtroom attire.

Taping Class Lectures

Generally, students are not allowed to record classes and, under no circumstances, may a student record a class without the permission of the professor teaching the course.

Guests in Classrooms

The Law School is committed to a community-centered and safe facility for law students, faculty, and staff. The building is a controlled-access facility. Students, employees, and visitors enter the Law School through the main entrance on the first floor and may be asked to present their university identification cards or other appropriate identification. A security desk located at this entrance is staffed by a security guard whenever the building is open. Visitors are asked to check in at the security desk.

Faculty may invite guest presenters/lecturers to participate in class on occasion. Students may invite adult guests to sit in on a class, with the permission of the faculty member.

The Law Library

The Elon Law Library strives to be a warm and welcoming place for all members of the Elon Law community. We wish to be a resource in your educational and personal growth during your time here at Elon Law School. The Law Library recognizes the close relationship between a positive environment and its use by patrons. This concept relies on having as few impediments as possible for patrons to use the library facility and its services. Thus, both food and drink are allowed in the library. We encourage students to make themselves at home, within reason, remembering that they are sharing the facilities with their classmates, alumni and often members of the practicing bar.

Library Hours are posted on the Library website and on the bulletin board outside of the library doors.

A complete description of the library services available to students can be found on the library website.

Borrowing Material

Students may borrow library material on their Phoenix cards for loan periods ranging from 4 hours to 3 weeks, based on the type of material being borrowed. In order to make material readily available to all students, overdue fines are charged for material not returned in a timely manner. The fines are assessed as follows, and payment is expected by the end of the trimester.

Reserve materials: $.50/hour

Up to maximum $20.00/item

Non-Reserve materials: $.25/day for first 10 days

After 10 days fine increases to $.50 per day

Up to maximum $20.00/item

Recalled Material which is not returned will incur an additional $.25 per fine period (hour or day)

Lost Materials

If an item is not returned within 45 days of the time it becomes overdue (or 3 days in the case of Reserve material), the Library declares the material lost and charges the borrower a $40.00 processing fee (this includes the outstanding fine) plus current replacement cost, whether or not the item is repurchased.

Lost InterLibrary Loan (ILL) material is billed a minimum charge of $250.00 or the lending library’s bill plus $40.00, whichever is greater.

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