Iowa Law - Week of May 10, 2021

GENERAL INFORMATION

Last week of finals!  Congratulations on the completion of a challenging academic year!

• This is the last @Iowa Law email for the spring semester. The weekly emails will resume the week prior to the start of fall semester. 
• Court Cafe Closing For Summer - The last day the Court Café will be open is Friday, May 14^th.  They will reopen at the beginning of fall semester.  
• Great LIVE networking opportunity - Post finals! - Professional Development/Golf Etiquette Workshop - Have you been thinking about taking up golf? Or maybe you are interested in an opportunity to network (outside) with Iowa Law alumni! The Cady Cup is an annual golf outing that is a competition between Iowa Law alumni and alumni from Drake Law. All proceeds from the event benefit Iowa Legal Aid.
  • WHO- Students with little to no golf experience with a desire to learn!
  • WHAT? Morning golf etiquette and putting training with Judge Eliza Ovrom and pros from Echo Valley Golf Club; Optional (recommended) afternoon play with Drake Law teams of four for a best ball style competition. (Don’t worry, your assigned team will do the heavy lifting on the golf side and you’ll have a chance to learn more!) A reception will end the day. WHEN? Monday, May 17^th. Golf from 10 am to approx. 5 pm; Reception follows
  • WHERE? Echo Valley Golf Club, Norwalk
  • REGISTRATION FORM
• Library News - 
  • DEADLINE EXTENSION – Summer Carrel Requests: For those of you who would like to request a study carrel for the full-time, summer term use (Monday, May 17^th – Saturday, August 7^th) because you will be taking a summer course, conducting research, or studying for the bar exam, please complete Request form for Student Study Carrels – Summer 2021 by Monday, May 17^th at 5pm. You will be notified no later than May 18^th about the carrel assignment.  For accommodation requests contact Dean Crain.
  • Carrel Clean-Out, May 15^th – May 16^th: Please remove items from your permanent, spring, or exam assigned carrels by Sunday, May 16^th at 8pm. Any items that are not cleared out of carrels by students will be removed by staff and placed in boxes or plastic bags with the student’s name and carrel assignment in a locked area. These items will be kept for one semester in the Law Library (in this case, until January 2022). Items will be sent to Lost and Found after that time has lapsed. Please note that items collected from March 2020 to May 16, 2021 will be retained in the Law Library until January 2022.
  • COMING SOON: Summer Nights – Learning with Law Librarians - Do you know that law librarians work all summer and are ready to help with research questions? This summer, we are also going to be offering some evening research information (like how to start legal researching in Iowa, Missouri, New York, and more!) as well as tips, and tricks in late May and throughout June. More information to come!
• SPRING TEXTBOOK BUYBACK ONLINE - Sell your books. It’s quick and easy, available 24/7, and includes free shipping. The ISBA Bookstore’s spring textbook buyback is available online by following this link: BUYBACK LINK 
  
• Donate your textbooks to EJF! As you finish exams, please consider donating your casebooks, course packets, supplements, flashcards, or other study materials to the EJF Bookstore. You can drop items in the red bucket at the front entrance of the Boyd Law Building at any time!
  • Visiting the EJF Bookstore! (stay tuned for summer hours, during orientation/before Fall semester begins)
  • Volunteering! We're looking for volunteers to checkout/assist students in the EJF bookstore next semester! (flexible hours, around your schedule) If you have any questions or want to schedule a trip to the EJF Bookstore, contact Rebekah Cochran.
• Tell Us About Your Committee Work - The College of Law Rewards and Recognition Committee wants to hear from staff who work on committees at the College of Law and on the UI campus. We want to highlight and recognize your hard work! Please send a message to Amy Best amy-best@uiowa.edu to tell us about any committee work you are doing.
• IOWA Law Employees - Join the Rewards and Recognition Committee - The Rewards and Recognition Committee is looking for new members to join for the 2021-2023 term. The Committee works to honor employees, help employees connect with each other, and foster employee wellness, among other activities. Any College of Law employee who would like to serve on the Committee is welcome. Amy Best, amy-best@uiowa.edu, 335-9753
• Final Exam Updates- Beginning April 1, 2021 Examplify version 2.6.4 for Windows and macOS will be available to your institution. Be sure to update your Examplify when prompted. For help, contact law-help@uiowa.edu Updates that will be of interest include the following links:
  • TIPS FOR VIEWING PDF ATTACHMENTS
  • GUIDELINES FOR EXAM DAY PROCTORING
  • OVERVIEW FOR EXAM PREP
• Journal Applications Open May 14 - Are you interested in writing for a journal next fall? The College of Law is pleased to be home to four student-edited scholarly journals. A majority of Iowa Law students write for a journal during their second year of law school and many of them accept editorial board positions during their third year. Journal is an invaluable experience that allows you to boost your resume, increase your writing ability, and collaborate with your peers at Iowa Law. Information about journals and the write-on process can be found on the All Journal Write-On ICON site. This includes journal-specific information and details about the write-on process. The write-on application will be posted on the ICON site on May 14, 2021, at 12:00 PM CST. If you have any issues accessing the ICON site, please email Kassandra DiPietro at kassandra-dipietro@uiowa.edu.
  
• New York Pro Bono Scholars Program - Planning on taking the New York bar? Interested in gaining practical experience to transition into practice? Consider the New York Pro Bono Scholars Program. Established by the New York Courts, this program allows students to work full-time in a field placement in their final year of law school. Students accepted into the program are permitted to take the February NY bar, before they graduate. More information is online here: INFORMATION LINK. Students interested must plan carefully; please make an appointment with Prof. Tai APPOINTMENT LINK to discuss.
• Final Exam Day Instructions for Examplify - Please be sure to keep these instructions handy to assist with the Examplify software on exam day. The link is also available on the College of Law website under Current Students/Exam Information. If you have any difficulties on exam day, feel free to reach out to law-help@uiowa.edu or directly to the Examplify support line: (866) 429-8889.
• Law Library Research Tip: Accessing Articles from Home - Are you researching offsite and struggling with paywalls when you try to access journal articles? Many of the Law Library’s subscriptions are tied to our location, so when you access articles from the College of Law, your access is seamless, but from home, you may need to take additional steps to get access. When you hit a paywall for an academic journal article, try using the proxy link generator to create a link that will communicate to the website that you are accessing the resource through our subscription. If this doesn’t work, we may still have access through another resource! Search the library’s catalog, InfoHawk+, for other access options. If you’re still not able to access the article, reach out to the Law Library’s reference librarians at refdesk@uiowa.edu for more ideas.
• Law Library Research Tip - As you approach your summer job, don’t get stuck in a Lexis/Westlaw rut. Sometimes the best resource to address your research question is available outside of Lexis and Westlaw, perhaps even without a paid subscription! As just one example, the National Conference of State Legislatures provides information on a wide range of topics through its “Research” tab, including bill tracking databases. Reach out to the Law Library’s reference desk at refdesk@uiowa.edu for more tips!
• Fall 2021 Field Placement Program applications open - Rising 2Ls and 3Ls: As you plan for the fall term, consider whether this is a good time for a field placement. A list of placements interested in hosting students for part-time, local, field placements is available at PLACEMENT LINK. Students must meet with Prof. Tai before submitting applications. Students will be limited to their top three choices and a short counseling appointment helps ensure a good fit. Appointments may be made at APPOINTMENT LINK. Students may also separately apply for and propose a placement for credit. The first round deadline is April 20, but placements will continue through the summer term.
• Information Regarding Student Health Insurance Coverage During Summer 2021 -
  • Students who will be returning for Fall 2021
    • If you are currently enrolled in a student insurance plan, student insurance will continue over the summer if you pre-register for the fall semester in the spring.
    • If you are not enrolled in student health insurance during the spring semester, and if you pre-register for the fall semester in the spring, you may enroll for summer coverage through MyUI during the open enrollment periods below or if you have a qualifying event.
          Fall Semester: August 1 to September 9
          Spring Semester: January 1 to February 9
          Summer Semester: May 1 to June 9
  • Students Graduating May 2021 Departing Students | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)
    • Student insurance terminates May 31,2001. However, short term health and dental insurance is available for coverage at the full premium cost immediately after leaving the university. This information will be mailed to the student's residing address. To ensure the paperwork is received in a timely manner, please visit MyUI and verify your residing address. Coverage, when elected, will begin June 1, 2021. This coverage can be continued for up to 18 months. You must enroll in the plan(s) you wish to continue (within 45 days of graduating) via the online form in MyUI. Visit the enrollment page for more detailed instructions.
• ISBA Annual Meeting Virtually June 7-11, 2021 - INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION LINK

EVENTS

• Thursday, May 13th 7:00 PM  - Senior Awards - Link will be shared closer to the event. 
• Friday, May 14th 12:00 PM - Hooding Ceremony - Livestream link will be shared closer to the event. 
• Friday, May 14th 2:00 PM - Law Virtual Commencement  VIEWING LINK

For further information regarding Iowa Law graduation events: 2021 Iowa Law Commencement Events

• May 18, 2021 3:00 PM - Your Public Service Loan Forgiveness Action Plan Public Service Loan Forgiveness can seem confusing, but it’s achievable if you know the steps to take. This session will help you understand the requirements of PSLF and help you get on – and stay on! – track for forgiveness. Webinar Register Now
• May 20, 2021 11:00 AM - The Road to Zero: A Strategic Approach to Student Loan Repayment Student loan repayment can feel overwhelming, but you can chart a path to a debt-free future. Covering all of the essential details, including repayment plan options, consolidation, loan forgiveness and more, this workshop will provide the information and next steps you need to get you on the road to zero student debt. Webinar Register Now!
• June 3, 2021 11:00 AM - The Road to Zero: A Strategic Approach to Student Loan Repayment Student loan repayment can feel overwhelming, but you can chart a path to a debt-free future. Covering all of the essential details, including repayment plan options, consolidation, loan forgiveness and more, this workshop will provide the information and next steps you need to get you on the road to zero student debt. Webinar Register Now!
• June 3, 2021 8:00 PM - Building Your Law School Budget  When it comes to your law school budget, the most important step for saving more is borrowing less. But financial growth during and after law school also means managing credit, understanding loan repayment options, tracking debt, and planning for future expenses like the bar exam. In this session, you’ll walk through each of these items and gain access to spending plan worksheets and other tools to stay on track! Webinar Register Now!
• June 16, 2021 11 AM - Your Public Service Loan Forgiveness Action Plan Public Service Loan Forgiveness can seem confusing, but it’s achievable if you know the steps to take. This session will help you understand the requirements of PSLF and help you get on – and stay on! – track for forgiveness. Webinar Register Now!
• June 22, 2021 5:00 PM  - The Road to Zero: A Strategic Approach to Student Loan Repayment Student loan repayment can feel overwhelming, but you can chart a path to a debt-free future. Covering all of the essential details, including repayment plan options, consolidation, loan forgiveness and more, this workshop will provide the information and next steps you need to get you on the road to zero student debt. Webinar Register Now!
• June 24, 2021 5:00 PM - Your Public Service Loan Forgiveness Action Plan Public Service Loan Forgiveness can seem confusing, but it’s achievable if you know the steps to take. This session will help you understand the requirements of PSLF and help you get on – and stay on! – track for forgiveness. Webinar  Register Now!

SCHOLARSHIP - FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

• $1000 Weston Essay Prize - The UICHR is accepting entries for the 2021 Weston Essay contest, which recognizes the best graduate or professional student essay on a human rights-related subject. The recipient receives a $1000 cash award. The essay prize honors the lifetime work of UICHR founder Professor Burns H. Weston of the College of Law. The deadline to apply is May 14th. For further information, including eligibility and submission requirements, please visit: INFORMATION LINK. 
  
• Scott County Iowa Grant Opportunity - The Scott County Iowa Bar Association provides a modest grant for law students who have some connection with Scott County. Please contact law-financialaid@uiowa.edu for further information. The application deadline is May 31, 2021.
• Class of 2021: Feel confident about your financial strategy – The AccessLex team of Accredited Financial Counselors (AFC^©) can help you understand loan terms, repayment options and more. Contact us for clear, unbiased information to set you on a sound financial path. AccessConnex is always free. Call, email or chat with a member of our team Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm ET. Or, schedule an appointment directly with a counselor at a time most convenient for you. Connect Now! Questions, go to accessconnex@accesslex.org.
• L3 Bar Exam Loan Information (Private, Not Federal) -  Private educational loans are available for third-year students to borrow funds for the costs associated with taking the bar, bar registration, bar review, and living expenses. For more information on these loans, contact law-financialaid@uiowa.edu PH# 319-335-9142
• Summer 2021 Financial Aid Information - AFTER you are registered for your summer courses, you can complete the Summer Financial Aid Application in MyUI if you wish to apply for loans for the summer. If you are still deciding how many credits to take for summer, please wait to complete the form until your credits are finalized. Tuition and Fees Rate Table Summer tuition and fees will be charged to your U-Bill beginning in May. Financial aid offers will become available in MyUI (be sure to change the session to summer). You will receive an email when your financial aid offer is ready. Financial aid will be disbursed on the first day of your summer class. Questions: Jessica Diers law-financialaid@uiowa.edu
• Academic Year Tuition and Fees - The College of Law considers 10 hours a semester to be a full-time academic course load, though many students choose to take more. If you take 12 hours or more in a given semester, you will be billed at the 12-hour rate, with correspondingly lower costs for 10 or 11 hours. August intersession classes are considered part of your fall hours. January & May intersession classes are considered part of your spring hours. Tuition and Fees Rate Table No matter how many credit hours you take in a given semester, your living expenses (room and board, personal, transportation) will be calculated the same for purposes of financial aid. Only the calculation for books will be adjusted according to the number of hours for which you are registered. If you plan to be registered for fewer than 12 hours for the semester, please contact Jessica Diers at law-financialaid@uiowa.edu after you register as your financial aid budget will need to be revised. If you plan to study off campus and be registered at another law school, please contact Jessica as well.
• Summer Public Interest Grant still accepting applications
  1Ls & 2Ls:  if you are in an unpaid internship this summer in a nonprofit organization or government agency (including judicial chambers) you may apply for summer public interest grants with one application.  This includes funds raised by the Equal Justice Foundation.  We are still accepting summer grant applications.  However, there are limited funds remaining.  Once you have secured an internship please apply at your earliest convenience.  Applications are available online at: APPLICATIONS  Awards will be made on a rolling basis, while funds remain. 
• 2021 MWH Law Group Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship INFORMATION
• Scholarship Databank: We’re excited to announce the launch of AccessLex Institue’s newest tool: the AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank. Feel free to searchable collection of nearly 800 opportunities to access scholarships for law school. Students need to log into your MAX Account. Contact law-financialaid@uiowa.edu with questions.

REMINDERS

• ITS: The ITS email team published a new support article with the options to automatically schedule Outlook events with early endings and allow a small break between meetings: https://its.uiowa.edu/support/article/120236.
• Recognition - To recognize the successes and great work of students, staff and faculty a new recognition category has been added to the Monday/Friday Iowa Law emails. Please submit any accomplishments to @ Iowa Law Communications that is referenced at the bottom of the email. 
• BLB Restroom Doors - Restroom actuators have been installed on all restroom doors in BLB to further our accessibility goals. In response to some questions we’ve received, these are not meant to be held open via a door wedge or other device as this will harm the operating components.
• Secure Your Valuables - Due to recent reports of stolen items in the building, please be sure to keep all valuables secure and report any issue to Dawn Banovitz dawn-banovitz@uiowa.edu or Gordon Tribbey gordon-tribbey@uiowa.edu.
• Building Access - Thank you for following building protocols over the past year, your diligence has resulted in a safe learning and working environment for all. Progress is being made with the pandemic however we do need to stay vigilant in our efforts.  The policy remains in place allowing only students, faculty and staff in the building unless approved prior. Family and friends are not permitted at this time. Thank you for your understanding. 
• Reminder for Face Masks - Face masks (cloth mask, disposable mask, or face shield with mask) are required indoors in all university buildings at all times, except when actively eating or drinking. The designated eating areas at BLB are the Student Commons, Court Café, 4^th floor Student Lounge, faculty lounge and staff lounge. Individuals can remove masks only in private, fully contained spaces assigned to them, such as an individual office. Students must continue to wear masks at all times when in the Law Library, including when you are using the tables, computer lab, the study room, and study carrels, and regardless of whether you can see other people. Please note that food and drink are not allowed in the Law Library, so masks must remain on at all times. Masks should be worn outside when social distancing is not possible.

@ Iowa Law Communications

This is the last @Iowa Law email for Spring 2021. Emails will resume the week prior to the start of fall semester.  Mid-day on Wednesdays, Career Services sends their newsletter. To submit content for @ Iowa Law, please use this form (https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a43sCRhrCeRrI6p).

Other ways to promote your programs and share community news

• Digital Signage. The signs are still running. You can also view them online at: https://signage.uiowa.edu/law/college-law. To submit a sign, complete this form.
• Calendar entries. If you are planning a fall event, please tell us about it at: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_esrQYm6yZja7amN. Getting your programs and events on the calendar is the best way to avoid conflicts you can view our events calendar at: https://law.uiowa.edu/events.