|
Peer Support Services
Orientation and Service Day are coordinated through Dean Baum's office. A variety of orientation programs introduce new students to the Law School each summer and fall. Upper-class law students serve as orientation leaders to first-year, transfer, and graduate students, working closely with groups of new students during the orientation program. Being an orientation leader gives students an opportunity to practice leadership and interpersonal skills. During Service Day, upper-class student leaders form collegial bonds with the incoming students as they work together on projects for local communities. Leaders also assist with many of the LSSS-sponsored events which occur over Labor Day Weekend.
The First Year Information (FYI) program, coordinated through Dean Gregory's office, helps first-year students (1Ls) adjust to life as law students. Upper-class Leaders lead small group discussions on exam preparation, study skills, and class review sessions throughout the term. In addition, FYI Leaders conduct other activities such as panel discussions and other programs of interest for first-year students. FYI is meant to provide an informative and enjoyable transition into the first year of law school, and serve as an academic support system for new students. For further information, please refer to the Student Handbook.
The FYI Leadership Board is responsible for creating new academic support materials, designing innovative programs and activities, and generally supporting the work of FYI Leaders. Students that serve on the Board have an opportunity to create lasting change in one of the Law School's core student support programs.
Orientation and FYI Leaders are recruited during the winter semester. Orientation leaders attend training sessions during the winter semester in preparation for summer and fall orientation days.
Summer semester FYI Leaders attend a training session in May for preparation for the summer semester. Students who volunteer to serve as FYI Leaders during the fall/winter academic year attend a training session at the beginning of the fall semester.
Interested? Apply here.
The FYI Program was created to provide peer-led academic support to law students in their first year of studies. Since its inception, the program's structure and design has changed very little. Although aspects of FYI work very well, the Office of Student Affairs is interested in utilizing the experience and perspective of current students to enhance the program's effectiveness. The FYI Leadership Board was created with this goal in mind.
The objective of the Leadership Board is to work closely with the Office of Student Affairs to develop new programs, design curricula, and plan events and activities aimed at supporting students through their first year of law school. The Board will be comprised of five students. Applicants are limited to former FYI Leaders with great ideas for the program, a strong sense of community, and a passion for helping others. The Board will be selected the first week of April; each member will receive a $250.00 stipend per semester.
A Chairperson will be designated by Dean Gregory. The Chair will responsible for managing the work of the FYI Board and acting as a liaison with the Office of Student Affairs.
Interested? Apply here.
The Michigan Access Program (MAP) seeks to promote students' participation and meaningful connection to the Law School. The chief objectives of MAP are to build community among all students across racial, ethnic, and cultural lines, create mentoring relationships between upper class students and participating 1Ls, and provide a smooth transition into Law School by helping to demystify the first year experience. Every student is invited to participate regardless of background, with special emphasis on encouraging the participation of non-traditional students. Several members of the Law School faculty actively participate in this program, as instructors during pre-orientation and as advisors throughout the academic year.
|