Who to See, Where to Go, What to Check

Academic Affairs

  • Emily Grant, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law
    emily.grant@washburn.edu
    (785) 670-1662
    Room 104B

Academic Calendar

Academic Enrichment and Bar Passage

  • Chelsea Baldwin, Visiting Associate Professor of Law and Assistant Director of Academic Enrichment and Bar Passage
    chelsea.baldwin@washburn.edu
    (785) 670-3195
    Room 207D

Academic Policies

  • See academic policies for class attendance; employment; examinations; grades; honors; honor code, etc.

Access to Building

Accommodations

Animals

Art Museum and Art Lab

Assignments

Athletic Events

Attendance

  • Attendance is expected at every class for every course.
  • Your absence will be noted.
  • Although professors may allow a certain number of absences because they know that flu happens, those allowed absences should not be thought of as "freebies." They are expected to be generally used not at all. The American Bar Association, and our concern for your future clients, restricts the number of absences you can have and still receive credit for the course.
  • See the attendance policy.

Budget/University Financials

Building/Staff Supervision

Bus Transportation

  • Washburn students, faculty, and staff are can ride the Topeka Metro bus for FREE by swiping their iCard.
  • Find door-to-door directions by using the "Transit" setting in Google Maps (all Metro routes are referenced).
  • See the Topeka Metro website.

Business Office

Campus Map

Campus Police

Centers for Excellence

Certificates of Concentration

  • Students interested in earning a Certificate of Concentration must declare their intention to complete a certificate early in their second year and work closely with a Certificate Advisor in designing course selection.

Character and Fitness Considerations

1. Duty to Disclose Omissions or Errors on Law School Application

  • You can see the three questions you were asked on your law school application in regards to Character and Fitness (at the bottom of the page).
  • Please re-read the questions to make sure that you answered fully.
    • For example, you need to disclose most charges, detentions, or summons by the law even if they did not result in a conviction or if they occurred when you were a juvenile, or your record was expunged.
    • You also need to disclose any discipline you received from a professional or military organization, license revocation, and discipline or investigation received at another institution of higher education.
  • If you have any question at all whether you have answered as you should on your law school application, please make an appointment to see Dean Dempsey-Swopes and she will help you correct the problem. Authorities in every state do a very thorough background check on applicants to the bar, including examining whether the information that was provided to the law school matches what they find in their investigation. It looks much, much better if your application is amended very early in law school rather than later.
  • The link given above to the three questions also provides links so that you can see the Character and Fitness requirements of Kansas and of other states.
    • It is an excellent idea to read the requirements of the state in which you plan to take the bar, and to start thinking about how you will answer the questions.
    • Bar authorities will ask you all the places you worked, where, and why you left, just as Washburn Law did on your application.
    • In addition, bar authorities will ask you many other questions that we do not, such as questions about every place you have ever lived for the past ten years, your credit history, civil suits, and perhaps even about your speeding tickets.
    • It is a good idea to make a file marked "Bar" in which you start dropping any information you have about any contact with the law, any discipline received from an institution or organization, jobs you have had and places you have lived, and paperwork from any credit problems you have had. The bar authorities will want you to attach documents on many of these things, so you should clear time during a school break to start collecting what you need.
    • If you don't have what you need, you should make a request in writing to the relevant authorities for such documents, so that you can either receive it or receive a response in writing that such documents are no longer available. If you had a period in your life that is a bit hazy to you so that you aren't even sure of what there might be to document, you can investigate your own criminal history. Please see Checking Your Own Criminal History: A How-to Guide.
  • If you have any questions or concerns about any future bar questions on the bar application, please make an appointment to see Dean Dempsey-Swopes or Director Tammy King, Assistant Dean for Professional Development, tammy.king1@washburn.edu or (785) 670-1703.

2. Continuing Duty of Disclosure

  • You have a continuing duty of disclosure once you are in law school.
    • If you are summoned or charged by the law, or if anything occurs that fits the parameters of the three Character and Fitness questions asked of you on your law school application, you must disclose it to Dean Dempsey-Swopes, and keep her updated on the progress of the situation.
    • You want the bar authorities to see that you did not keep anything from the school.

3. Honor Code Violations

  • It is possible that your disclosure of conduct that occurred before law school may result in a finding of an Honor Code violation (for failing to report it on your law school application), but only if the conduct was such that the Admissions Committee would have found it "material to the decision of the Law School Admissions Committee regarding the student's application." See Honor Code, Part I, Section C.3.
    • In most cases, failing to report something like an MIP is not going to result in a finding of an Honor Code violation. The reporting of something more serious, like a DUI, may well be found material, and result in a finding of an Honor Code violation. However, early self-reporting will go far in softening the discipline, both at the law school and later, when the bar authorities see that you reported early.
    • What you do not want to have happen is to have the school find out from the bar authorities, in which case the Honor Code sanction could be expulsion before you even get to the bar, a tremendous loss of time and money. See Sanctions at Part II of the Code.
  • Whereas any Honor Code sanctions for conduct before law school would simply be for failure to report, conduct after law school is subject to sanction for the conduct itself. Please be sure to read the Honor Code thoroughly. Any academic violations, such as plagiarism or cheating on a test, should be reported to your professor or to Dean Grant, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at emily.grant@washburn.edu. All other violations should be reported to Dean Dempsey-Swopes.

Child Care

Class Drop Deadlines for Full Tuition Refunds

  • See the refund policy.
  • Please understand that it is an option to drop a class and still be considered a full-time law student (9 hours is considered full-time). You do not have the option of dropping LARW, however: that course can only be dropped if you drop all your courses for the semester. See the Minimum Credit Hours Permitted policy.
  • Think about the American Bar Association's expectation that professors will require at least two hours of outside work for every hour in class: that means that if you are currently taking 15 hours in a semester, you will be expected to do 30 hours of homework, for a total of a 45-hour workweek. Spending less time on your homework is cheating yourself and your future clients. It should be apparent to you that at the very least, you need to treat law school like a full-time job.
  • We strongly encourage 1Ls not to do outside work at all, and prohibit any outside employment of over 20 hours a week by any law student if the student is taking over 12 hours of credit in a semester. See the law student employment policy.
  • If you are a student who must work 20 hours a week in outside employment, understand that you are now looking at a 65-hour work week. Others may need to consider the amount of hours that they need to spend commuting, or in family time.
  • On top of all this, you must keep in mind that you will need to have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of the spring semester, or you will be academically dismissed. See the Academic Good Standing Policy.
  • The best time to seriously consider if your work load is realistic is before the 100% tuition refund deadline. Please see Dean Dempsey-Swopes if you have any concerns about your time pressures, or your course load, or your work or family responsibilities. There are many ways of making up a few hours in the years to come (intersession and summer courses) and still graduate when you want.
  • Another option people often don't think about, when they consider a two-and-a-half year degree option in addition to the usual three-year option, is that it is also an option to take longer than three years. In fact, the ABA allows students to take as long as seven years. So please make sure you have the time you need this semester to do well.

Class Schedule Planning

  • See the Graduation Checklist for J.D. students (99 KB PDF).
  • The American Bar Association requires law students to complete their studies within 24-84 months (two to seven years).
    • A traditional course load is 15 hours, but 9 hours is still considered full time. See Academic Policies.
  • Dean Grant will assign first-year students Faculty Advisors. Second and third year students will be able to choose Advisors from a sign-up form that will be sent by Dean Grant. In addition, any professor, Dean Grant, or Dean Dempsey-Swopes will be happy to advise you. More advanced students interested in earning a certificate will work closely with their Certificate Advisor (see Certificates of Concentration, above).

Class Schedules

Counseling (Confidential Services)

  • Kuehne Hall, Suite 200, (785) 670-3100 or visit Counseling Services website.
  • Services are available 24 hours per day / 7 days a week by calling (785) 670-3100 and selecting option 2.
  • Counseling services are free, and the site also lists other helpful resources.
  • An additional resource available only to law students is the Kansas Lawyers' Assistance Program (KALAP). KALAP provides confidential and free help from lawyers for lawyers and law students with substance abuse or mental health problems. Contact KALAP at (785) 368-8275 or their 24/7 Hotline at 1-888-342-9080.

Dean of Students

ANYTHING you're unsure about, Advising, Honor Code, and Student Organizations

  • If you ever don't know where to turn, please turn to Dean Dempsey-Swopes, Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
  • Contact Dean Dempsey-Swopes at danielle.dempsey-swopes@washburn.edu or (785) 670-1672 (please leave a message if there is no answer).
  • You may also visit Dean Dempsey-Swopes in Room 104C.
    • For visits, appointments are encouraged. Dean Dempsey-Swopes wants to have her schedule cleared so that she can give you her full attention and follow up with assistance to you immediately. The best way to make an appointment is to email Dean Dempsey-Swopes directly.

Email Guidance and Etiquette

Equal Opportunity Office

  • See the Washburn University Equal Opportunity website.
  • Michelle Godinet
    Morgan Hall 200K
    (785) 670-1509
    michelle.godinet@washburn.edu.
    • Contact Ms. Godinet to file complaint about discrimination on the base of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital or parental status, harassment, or violence.

Exam Schedule

Externships

Financial Aid

  • Morgan Hall Welcome Center, Student One Stop (SOS) (main entry), (785) 670-1151.
  • See the Financial Aid website.
  • Remember: Due to tightened federal regulations, financial aid may not always be available before classes start, although they generally will be available by the end of the first week of classes as long as you have fulfilled Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. Please plan accordingly, and budget one semester's aid to carry over to the beginning of the next. Please also note that you must make a separate application if you wish financial aid for the summer. Financial Aid will send an e-mail explaining when and how this is to be done.
  • See also Cost of Attendance Budget Adjustment Request (192 KB PDF).
  • See also Law Student Emergency Loan Fund

Food Pantry: Bods Feeding Bods

  • The Washburn University Food Pantry is available to all students, including law students, with a valid Washburn student ID.
  • Learn more.

Food Service on Campus

  • In addition to the Libation Station and student refrigerators and microwaves at the law school, the campus has a cafeteria at the Memorial Union, one at Lincoln Hall, and the Corner Store in the Memorial Union. See Dining on Campus and Meal Plans.
  • Food (if only pizza) is often available at Lunch & Learns.
    • Please note that it is discourteous to attend only part of a Lunch & Learn in order to get food. It is an HONOR CODE VIOLATION to sign in as having attended a Lunch & Learn for class or certification credit without actually attending the entire Lunch &amp Learn.
  • It is also important to note whether food is actually intended for students. The law school often hosts Continuing Legal Education programs or receptions for lawyers and judges in which they pay for food. When in doubt, please ask!
  • See also Bods Feeding Bods.

Graduation Checklist

Graduation (Commencement)

Housing

iAlert

  • Your Washburn email address is automatically added to the iAlert system.
  • You must sign up if you want phone or text notification.

iCard

In-State Tuition

Intramural Sports

iSave

Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program (KALAP)

  • 515 S. Kansas Avenue, (685) 368-8275 or 24/7 hotline at 1-888-342-9080
  • See the KALAP website
  • You each had a flyer from KALAP in your orientation packet, and you will have a chance to meet the Director of KALAP at the Opportunity Fair.
  • KALAP is an organization mandated by the Kansas Supreme Court, funded by lawyers, for lawyers and law students, and is legally bound to confidentiality pursuant to Rule 206 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Kansas. KALAP is made up of lawyers helping lawyers and law students who are having personal problems affecting their practice or study of law. These difficulties include physical or mental illness, substance abuse, or emotional distress.
  • KALAP's services are free. Dean Dempsey-Swopes recommends it for its confidential services, but also recommends that if you have something like a DUI on your record that you contact them and consider waiving your confidentiality when it comes to the bar examiners. Bar examiners consider it a good sign when a student with a substance abuse problem comes to KALAP early on and shows that he or she is dealing with the problem head-on.

Law Clinic

Legal Intern Permit

  • Debi Schrock, Law Clinic, Managing Director of Administration
    debi.schrock@washburn.edu
    (785) 670-1953
    Law Clinic, Room 113E

Lost and Found

  • Please check at the Law Library Circulation Desk for lost items.

Music and Theatre Performance

Nursing Mothers

  • Please contact Dean Dempsey-Swopes for best accommodations.

Parking

  • Parking is free on campus.
  • There are no reserved spots for law students– any student can park in any student lot on campus.
  • Please note that the parking lot immediately north of the law school closes from 2:00-5:00 a.m.
    • Vehicles left after 2:00 a.m. in this lot will receive a ticket. The reason for this policy is to free more spots for law students attending classes (it discourages undergraduate students living on campus from using this as their main parking lot).
  • See also Washburn University Parking and Traffic Regulations.

Professional Development Office

  • The Professional Development Office (PDO) is a very important office in your life for the next three years or more. The Assistant Dean, Tammy King, is your partner in exploring your career opportunities.
    • The PDO is a clearinghouse for information related to career opportunities in all areas of legal employment and postgraduate study.
    • Services include individual career counseling, job search skill development, document preparation and review, and group presentations on various career options and job search skills.
  • First Year students will have several mandatory meetings with the PDO (details will be provided via email).
  • Tammy King, Assistant Dean for Professional Development
    tammy.king1@washburn.edu
    (785) 670-1703
    Room 104M
  • See also the Professional Development Office website.

Residency

Safety

Smoking Policy

  • Smoking is not allowed in the law school building and is permitted only at the designated locations.
  • See Smoking Policy.

Student Health Insurance

  • Not required for Student Health Services but recommended for medical care that Student Health Services does not cover if you do not otherwise have insurance.
  • See the Washburn University Student Health Services website.

Student Health Services (Confidential Services)

Student Records

Enrollment, grades, interim transcripts, student files

Student Recreation and Wellness Center

Technology

Veteran's Services

Victim Advocate

Washburn Email

  • Washburn email is the official correspondence method of Washburn University and Washburn University School of Law.
    • Students are expected to check their email regularly and to respond promptly, courteously, and accurately.
    • A good rule of thumb is to check and respond to email at least once a day Monday through Friday.
    • Weekend checks are appreciated but not expected, unless the student is also employed by the school.
  • One thing that can be confusing to law students is which things the law school takes care of itself, and which things the university handles.
    • The law school handles accommodations, grades, and course registration internally, so you don't have to pay attention to university emails that announce when grades are going to come out, or when you must enroll for courses. You DO have to pay attention to emails from Cory Payne, our Student Records Administrator, who will communicate with you about grades, class rankings, and graduation requirements. After your first semester, you will enroll in classes yourself, so you will pay attention to her emails instructing you on that subject.

Washburn Student Bar Association

Weather Information

  • See Severe Weather Information.
  • Please note that you may use the tornado shelters at the law school 24/7 any day of the year (Rooms 100 and 102, and men and women's restrooms on first floor).

Work

Still have questions?

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