* 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.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
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:
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.
Monday, January 7, 2008
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
* 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
Monday, December 10, 2007
Food Friday: Pull-Apart Bread
This is how I procrastinate. Finals? What finals? Ok, to be more accurate, this is one of many, many ways I procrastinate.
My daughters made this bread last weekend. I did some minimal supervisory actions. This is a fantastic activity for the 2-and-older set, and the bread actually tastes great. The recipe comes from this month's RealSimple Magazine.
Easy Cinnamon Bread
2 1-pound packages refrigerated pizza dough
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus more for the pan
Heat oven to 375.
Tear off small bits of the dough and roll them into 1- to 1.5-inch balls. Place balls on a plate.
Combine cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Dip each ball in the butter, then in the cinnamon sugar. Drop the balls into a buttered Bundt pan.
Drizzle remaining butter over the top and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.
Bake until golden brown, about 40 minutes. Remove and let cool 5 minutes.
Place a plate on top of the pan and carefully flip it over. Tap the bottom to release the bread. (I let the pan rest on top of the plate for a while so the bread would disengage by itself.)
Let people pull the bread apart with their fingers.
My daughters made this bread last weekend. I did some minimal supervisory actions. This is a fantastic activity for the 2-and-older set, and the bread actually tastes great. The recipe comes from this month's RealSimple Magazine.
Easy Cinnamon Bread
2 1-pound packages refrigerated pizza dough
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus more for the pan
Heat oven to 375.
Tear off small bits of the dough and roll them into 1- to 1.5-inch balls. Place balls on a plate.
Combine cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Dip each ball in the butter, then in the cinnamon sugar. Drop the balls into a buttered Bundt pan.
Drizzle remaining butter over the top and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.
Bake until golden brown, about 40 minutes. Remove and let cool 5 minutes.
Place a plate on top of the pan and carefully flip it over. Tap the bottom to release the bread. (I let the pan rest on top of the plate for a while so the bread would disengage by itself.)
Let people pull the bread apart with their fingers.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Santa photos
Here's a great opportunity to get family photos with Santa without the lines or extortionate prices at the mall.
The Latina/o Law Students Association has recruited Prof. Schnapper to play Santa Claus for photos next Wednesday. Apparently he’ll be all dressed up as the jolly old elf, complete with a festive, Latino-inspired backdrop. LLSA will take your photo with a digital camera and email it to you, and/or you can bring your own camera. LLSA will email you the photo they take. LLSA is asking for a $3 donation, but apparently everyone actually gives $5.
Money raised will benefits LLSA’s outreach programming for disadvantaged students.
Here’s the info:
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
2:30 to 4 p.m. in Gates Hall, Room TBA
UWLS Main Hallway
Email Rosario Daza, rdaza@... for more information.
The Latina/o Law Students Association has recruited Prof. Schnapper to play Santa Claus for photos next Wednesday. Apparently he’ll be all dressed up as the jolly old elf, complete with a festive, Latino-inspired backdrop. LLSA will take your photo with a digital camera and email it to you, and/or you can bring your own camera. LLSA will email you the photo they take. LLSA is asking for a $3 donation, but apparently everyone actually gives $5.
Money raised will benefits LLSA’s outreach programming for disadvantaged students.
Here’s the info:
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
2:30 to 4 p.m. in Gates Hall, Room TBA
UWLS Main Hallway
Email Rosario Daza, rdaza@... for more information.
Law School Stress talk
Adjunct professor Andy Benjamin spoke at lunch today at a meeting sponsored by Nontraditional Law Students. I was enlisted to take notes, and I took pretty thorough ones, so if you would like a copy, email me at kremerl@.... Here are some highlights.
Benjamin is a pretty thorough critic of the law school pedagogy. "We create cynical, angry, hostile folk," he said. Law school undermines professionalism and health, he said, because it:
* negates healthy values such as intimacy and community
* promotes unhealthy values, such as valuing external rewards, status and comparative worth
* substitutes competition and anxiety for healthy motivation such as personal enjoyment and values-based effort
* Habituates students to frustration of fundamental needs, such as health routines, self esteem, relatedness, authenticity and security.
Solutions:
Address health and social issues:
* solid sleep, eating, exercising patterns
* Social support
* Knowledge of signal emotional states – result in activation of wellness behaviors
* Balance struck in all areas of life
* Any two of four conditions above absent, seek assistance from Sandra, SBA, Mentors
Minimize unnecessary excessive stress:
* Eliminate habitual overwork
* Abandon zero-sum competitive “need to win” paradigm, which creates perception of failure for any previously successful students
* Build skills at collaboration and legal counseling.
I know some people are interested in this: Benjamin repeated the observation that he has been criticized for making in orientation sessions: single women tend to be the most negatively affected by law school. Women in relationships tend to survive law school's stresses better. "Romantic involvements are protective," he said. "I’m not joking. Please start dating."
Here are symptoms of depression to look out for:
* mixture of anxiety, depression and hostility
* thoughts of killing self
* feeling so unhappy that you cannot shake it
* dissatisfied or bored with most aspects of life
* nicotine use (the most efficient anti-dysphoric on the legal market)
* disruptive sleep – never feeling sufficiently rested (early waking, inability to fall asleep)
* increased social isolation
* limiting normal exercise patterns
If you have more than two of these for more than a couple of weeks, he said, get counseling.
The session covered more ground, including many very specific questions from students. Also, all these lists came from his powerpoint, which had cites for studies that were the sources of the info. If you want the notes or the powerpoint, email me.
Benjamin is a pretty thorough critic of the law school pedagogy. "We create cynical, angry, hostile folk," he said. Law school undermines professionalism and health, he said, because it:
* negates healthy values such as intimacy and community
* promotes unhealthy values, such as valuing external rewards, status and comparative worth
* substitutes competition and anxiety for healthy motivation such as personal enjoyment and values-based effort
* Habituates students to frustration of fundamental needs, such as health routines, self esteem, relatedness, authenticity and security.
Solutions:
Address health and social issues:
* solid sleep, eating, exercising patterns
* Social support
* Knowledge of signal emotional states – result in activation of wellness behaviors
* Balance struck in all areas of life
* Any two of four conditions above absent, seek assistance from Sandra, SBA, Mentors
Minimize unnecessary excessive stress:
* Eliminate habitual overwork
* Abandon zero-sum competitive “need to win” paradigm, which creates perception of failure for any previously successful students
* Build skills at collaboration and legal counseling.
I know some people are interested in this: Benjamin repeated the observation that he has been criticized for making in orientation sessions: single women tend to be the most negatively affected by law school. Women in relationships tend to survive law school's stresses better. "Romantic involvements are protective," he said. "I’m not joking. Please start dating."
Here are symptoms of depression to look out for:
* mixture of anxiety, depression and hostility
* thoughts of killing self
* feeling so unhappy that you cannot shake it
* dissatisfied or bored with most aspects of life
* nicotine use (the most efficient anti-dysphoric on the legal market)
* disruptive sleep – never feeling sufficiently rested (early waking, inability to fall asleep)
* increased social isolation
* limiting normal exercise patterns
If you have more than two of these for more than a couple of weeks, he said, get counseling.
The session covered more ground, including many very specific questions from students. Also, all these lists came from his powerpoint, which had cites for studies that were the sources of the info. If you want the notes or the powerpoint, email me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
