Advocating for parents

* Thanks to PALS board member Laura Arras who testified in Olympia this week for a bill that would increase funding for child care for student-parents. If you see Dave Brown in the halls this quarter, tell him thanks for working so hard to support this bill (Dave is president of the Graduate and Professional Student Senate this quarter). Dave said Laura did a phenomenal job testifying. Laura said it was a "no-brainer" -- aid for child care enabled her to put her son in a decent center so she could focus on her education during the day. (Laura's externing with the AG's office this quarter.)

* Keep an eye out for the meetings with the Dean candidates this week. If you're so inclined, don't hesitate to ask about the candidate's opinions about student-parents, or whatever else strikes you.

Work/life essay contest

The Project for Attorney Retention and the Ms. JD blog are offering a $1,000 prize for an essay on work-life balance. The essay must be 1,500 words or less and address the question, "How Do We Close the Gap Between Baby Boomers and Millennials on Work/Life Balance?" Essays are due by Feb. 29 and the winner will be announced March 28. It appears to be open to both lawyers and law students.

The Ms. JD blog further describes the topic: "What would you say to a baby boomer law firm partner who thinks young lawyers are lazy and don't understand what the profession is all about? What would you say to a senior colleague who says she had to put in the work, so why shouldn't you? In short: what's your rationale for work/life balance reform in the legal profession?"

For more information and an entry form, see http://ms-jd.org/index.php?q=essaycontest

Money for child care

Student lobbyists are working in Olympia this session to promote a bill that would help student-parents. Please contact Lisa or Stasiu, or GPSS VP Sarah Reyneveld (see below) if you are interested in writing a letter in support of the bill, or going to Olympia to speak at a hearing or meet with a legislator. I spoke at a hearing last year and it was a good experience.

Here's GPSS president Dave Brown (3L)'s explanation of the bill:

Improving the affordability and access to quality childcare services for
student parents has long been a GPSS priority. Working with ASUW and the
Washington Student Lobby, we are aggressively pushing HB 1856. Prime
sponsored by Rep. Roberts, HB 1856 will award child care grants to state
institutions of higher education in an amount matching the amount that the
institution's student government association contributes for child care.
HB 1856 is an important first step in increasing state support for student
parents and ensuring that childcare is accessible and affordable.

We need your help to ensure success in Olympia.We need your voice and ideas
as we work to make a difference for graduate and professional students. If
you’re interested in supporting our legislative efforts in Olympia, testifying
on behalf of HB 1856, or supporting an increase in mental health providers on
campus, please don’t hesitate to contact Vice President Sarah Reyneveld.
Sarah is our lobbyist in Olympia this quarter and is leading our
legislative efforts. Her email is: gpssvp (at)
u.washington.edu.

Hello winter

Welcome back! PALS is gearing up for our Childhaven clothing/toy/food/diaper drive (we really need a shorter name) and some other things. We’ll schedule our quarterly meeting later, but meanwhile, here’s an update on what’s coming up. Please email kremerl... or stasiu... if there’s anything you can or want to help out on.

* The Graduate and Professional Student Senate will be lobbying in Olympia for more money for childcare for student-parents. If you are interested in testifying, meeting a legislator, writing a letter or anything else, please email kremerl...
* The Childhaven drive will be during the week that includes Valentine’s Day. Laura Arras and Christine Porter will be running it. We’ll need volunteers to help man the table and take things to Childhaven. Stay tuned for more info. Meanwhile, please start setting aside things that would be good donations for Childhaven: new and used toys and clothes that are in good condition, plus new diapers and nonperishable food.
* We’d like to have a panel discussion this quarter called Maybe Baby, on whether it’s a good idea to have a baby during law school. Email kremerl... if you're interested in working on it.
* Several groups would like to partner with us on an adoption panel. Lisa Goldoftas will be PALS’s point person on this. Let us know if you’d like to be involved too.
* Elections! According to our bylaws, we are out of office at the end of this quarter and the new presidents take over during spring quarter. Start thinking about whether you want to be a PALS officer for 2008-9.
* Babies! There will be a ton of new babies this quarter. The Remote Learning Room will be busy. If you use it irregularly, you may be surprised. Please try to keep it clean and be conscious of the room’s other users.
* Advocacy: Let us know if there’s anything PALS can do to help out with the administration or building management. We’re happy to throw our weight around for you.

Stasiu and Lisa