Admin, Again – April 7, 2008

If only I had time to write forever and ever, I would relay the fact that when I was President of my elementary school, I had more sovereignty than the student government at my law school. This silly notion is among a series of let downs from the place that sucked me in 3000 miles from home.

The best sleep I have had in months could not alleviate the apparent misdeeds of the day. At the Student Bar Association meeting, a long legacy of wrongdoing and misnomers by the Administration were unveiled to the student representatives in attendance.

Amid the wide selection of controversies, two issues were the hot items.
(1) Election discussion
(2) Budget Issues

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1) The election scandal has been suppressed. By suppressed, I mean internally investigated and brushed under the living room rug by the Administration. Not only is the school condoning, by inference, the fraudulent and unethical actions of its students, but it is not allowing the student government to discuss and vote on how to handle our own fraud-ridden, self-regulated elections.

The school has gone so far as to quash any opinions of its students by making it all-too-clear to the President that anybody who took any actions to vote and discuss the issue would be dealt with. We know this, because the President, in an email, asked the administrators if it was to be brought up and voted upon, what would happen. These Administrators swiftly responded in an email back to the President where they stated that "Should any President, officer or member attempt to vote on the issue, that the school would have no choice but to notify the Bar Association Character and Fitness Committee of such actions."

This is ludicrous. To stop students from discussing and voting on an issue that has absolutely no effect on the school's function, especially when the issue is regarding the organization's own elections is far beyond reason.

It just makes no sense.

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2) Students pay a mandatory fee each semester to a student activity fund. The funds are earmarked for spending by the Student Bar Association. Whatever money is not spent each year has been rolled-over into an account. Nobody knew exactly where the money went until recently.

The Treasurer, Vice-President and President have launched themselves into quite the interesting fact-finding mission. When investigating the funds, it was discovered that over 220,000 dollars of student activity funds is sitting in an account. This money was not accessible by the student government, so questions were asked.

The administration repeatedly told these student leaders that the money would not be there the next time it was checked, but sure enough, the money still sits there. Reason was argued. The money's earmarked nature was discussed, and yet no headway could be made. Over $220,000 is a lot to have sitting around.

However, the bigger issue is the law school not allowing students to access student money. It is quite apparent that the law school wants the funds, and is taking this time to figure out how to make it usable. Earmarked funds cannot be spent on anything but the earmark. When students pay a sum of money for a particular use, to do anything with the money but spend it on that specific use is fraud. I learned this in Torts class. To try to figure out a way to make the money transfer to the law school, and not give access to the money to whom the access is rightfully due is a whole other issue. It is my stance that if the current students cannot spend this roll-over money, then it should be refunded and redistributed to the students who paid the fee in the past.

I really wish I could get a window into their thought processes. It seems that they take wherever they can, and that students are merely a means to an end, where the end is money.

I love the administration here. They make me all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

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In other news, M and I turned in our Appellate Brief today. Since I did the table of authorities and contents and compiled the packet last time, M did it this time. However, when I went to put the brief into PDF form after we had turned it in, I realized a nice sum of mistakes on the parts that were undertaken by the other half of my group (M). I should have more carefully double-checked and inserted my parts into the tables, but there is nothing I can do now. Sadly, it is mainly my part of the brief that has a heading incorrect in the contents. That is all I needed.

I finally have dates for my final two clients' hearings. It is nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I cannot wait to close the door on them and move on.

Property was no big deal today. Easements are the topic we are covering. Again, the subject is not one which I ever wish to practice. This is making the class more and more difficult for me to enjoy. I do love the professor, as she makes me laugh, has her great quirks and says some hilarious quotes that I love to repeat.

I am also pretty excited that one of my friends from home has gone out of his was to help me with my goals. His father is a Judge, and has graciously agreed to guide me in the right direction. I am never one to use other people, nor take handouts, but I am really excited at this prospect. Even if nothing results from the Judge's efforts and my friend's help, it is nice to know that my friends are there.

Anyhow, back to contemplating sleep and such. Maybe I will even study a little because reading is always my impending task at hand.

Summer needs to arrive yesterday.