Orientation

Mandatory Orientation for Valparaiso Law 2012 Entering Students

Exclusively for 2012 entering students, Orientation activities will begin on Wednesday, August 15 and continue through Friday, August 17, 2012. Completion of the listed Pre-Entry Requirements (see below) prior to or on Wednesday, August 15, is mandatory as is attendance at the Orientation Program on August 16 and 17. We are glad to assist you as you complete the list; full directions can be found by following the link for each requirement. Keep in mind that to confirm your seat as a 1L at Valparaiso Law, on August 15 you need to attend Orientation Check-In located in the Law School Café. If your last name starts with A-M, please check in between 9-11AM; if your last name starts with N-Z, please check in between between 12-2PM. (Confirmation of your registration for fall semester is a separate activity.)

The Orientation Program Summary Agenda introduces you to our focus for your first 3 days in law school: your success at Valparaiso Law. Wednesday’s activities call for your engagement in activities that will provide you with a successful start. Thursday’s program offers and then asks you to connect with what you need to do to ensure professional and academic success both in and out of the classroom during your 1L year. On Friday, we will expect you to immerse yourself in key activities that contribute to academic and personal success, including the development of an in-depth understanding of the Law School’s academic standards.

We look forward to welcoming you as a 1L student. Completion of the pre-entry requirements and engaged participation in the entire Orientation Program will ease your transition to Valparaiso Law and help you focus on your own path to success in law school.

Orientation Program Summary Agenda

(Professional Attire Required on Thursday; Classroom Attire on Friday)

Wednesday, August 15: A Successful Start
9:00 – 11:00 Last Name:  A-M, Arrive at the Law School Café and complete check-in
12:00 – 2:00 Last Name:  N-Z, Arrive at the Law School Café and complete check-in
9:00 – 4:00 Complete the Checklist of Pre-Entry Requirements
Thursday, August 16: Professional and Academic Success at Valparaiso Law
(NOTE:  PLAN TO ATTEND ALL ACTIVITIES LISTED – 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM)
7:45 – 8:15 Class of 2015 Breakfast; Meet and Chat in Atrium
8:15 – 9:00 Purpose of Orientation – Vice Dean, Mark Adams
Welcome – Provost Mark Schwehn, Dean Jay Conison & Assistant Dean for Students and Educational Services Librarian, Steven Probst
9:00 – 10:00 Professionalism and Standards – Student Break-Out Groups
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 11:00 Professionalism in the Classroom – Law Faculty Panel Discussion
11:00 – 11:45 Professional Conduct at the Law School – Vice Dean, Mark Adams
Law School’s Relationship to Practice – Attorney Michael Tolbert, J.D. ‘00
11:45 – 1:00 Lunch in the Law School Café
1:00 – 2:00 Preparation for Briefing a Case –  Director of Academic Success, Bethany Lesniewski
2:00 – 2:15 Break
2:15 – 3:15 Academic Success in Law School – Director of Academic Success, Bethany Lesniewski
3:15 – 3:25 Break
3:25 – 4:40 Managing your Professional Brand – Patricia Cook
4:40 – 5:00 Profile of the Class of 2015 – Executive Director of Admissions, Diann Lapin
5:30 – 7:30 Class of 2015 Networking Reception at the VUCA Lobby
Friday, August 17:  Academic and Personal Success at Valparaiso Law
8:00 – 8:30 Intro to Legal Analysis – Vice Dean, Mark Adams
8:30 – 9:40 Legal Analysis – Student Break-Out Groups
9:40 – 9:55 Break
9:55 – 10:45 Legal Analysis – Student Break-Out Groups
10:45 – 11:15 Legal Analysis Wrap Up – Vice Dean, Mark Adams, Professors Bruce Berner, Ivan Bodensteiner and Curt Cichowski
11:15 – 11:45 An Introduction to the U.S. Legal System – Associate Dean for Library Services, Emily Janoski-Haehlen
11:45 – 12:45 Lunch in the Law School Café
12:45 – 1:30 Academic Enrollment – Vice Dean, Mark Adams and Registrar, Debbie Gleason
1:30 – 2:00 Your Finances – Associate Director of Student Financial Planning, Ann Weitgenant
2:00 – 2:10 Break
2:10 – 3:25 Student Life and Professionalism – Law Student Panel and Director of Student Relations, Joseph Baruffi
3:25 – 3:55 Final Thoughts on Orientation – Vice Dean, Mark Adams
3:25 – 3:55 Living with a Law Student:  Orientation for Parents, Partners and Friends – Director of Student Relations, Joseph Baruffi
3:55 – 4:05 Meet Your Student Mentor in the Atrium
4:05 – 5:00 Coffee & Community on the Café Patio

Checklist of Pre-Entry Requirements

  1. Health Form
  2. Transcripts
  3. Student ID Card
  4. Law Library Activation of your Valparaiso University Student ID Card
  5. Parking Permit
  6. Book List
  7. Enrollment Confirmation July 30 – August 21
  8. Register your iClicker
  9. First Class Assignment
  10. Case Briefing Assignment
  11. Professionalism and Standards

Traveling to Valparaiso University Law School

Valparaiso, Indiana, is located in Northwest Indiana, with its downtown about a mile north and west of the intersection of Indiana Highways 49 and 30. It is also located approximately: 60 miles from downtown Chicago; 7 miles south of the intersection of Highway 49 and Interstate 90; 9 miles south of the intersection of Highway 49 and Interstate 94; and, 12 miles east on Highway 30 from the intersection of Interstate 65. You are encouraged to move to Valparaiso at least several days before August 15; plan to take some time to explore and see more of the area before you begin law school. If you are flying or taking the train to Valparaiso, Midway and O’Hare airports and the central AmTrak hub are all located in Chicago. The airport in South Bend, Indiana, is about the same driving distance as Midway airport. Also, you can take the South Shore Railroad from downtown Chicago to Dune Park Station which is located about 10 miles from the School of Law. The Law School is located on the west end of Valparaiso University’s campus and adjacent to downtown Valparaiso.