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:
- 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;
- Be a national leader in examining and addressing opportunities and problems in the legal profession and legal education through research, public service and innovation;
- 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;
- 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
- 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. State Bar associations place the burden on their applicants to prove the applicant has the necessary qualifications, fitness, trustworthiness, and good moral character required of an attorney, and the obligations associated with meeting this burden apply for the duration of the student’s time at 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. Where student conduct may threaten members of the Law School community, visitors or school property, or seriously interfere with the educational mission of the Law School, the Office of Career and Professional Development will investigate and, if necessary, impose sanctions on the offending student according to the Law School’s Student Personal and Professional Responsibility Policy. The Policy can be found at this link: https://www.elon.edu/e/CmsFile/GetFile?FileID=596
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 Elon University School of Law Honor Code and Honor Code Violation Report Form.
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 class meetings for residencies. 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 should notify their instructors directly. 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.
The Elon Library provides materials in multiple formats to accommodate patron preferences. In addition to online databases, Elon Law School students can access material in either digital format or paper (hardcopy). The lending rules vary by format.
Borrowing Digital Titles from the Elon Law Digital Library
Students may borrow digital library material from the Digital Library with their network username and Elon Library Card number located on the back of their Phoenix Card. Material can be borrowed from any location with an internet connection. Material is lent for four hours. Material not returned is automatically retrieved by the system at the end of the loan period.
There are no overdue fines/charges assessed for use of the digital materials.
Borrowing Hard-copy 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 and Damaged Materials
If an item is damaged or 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.