Sidebar
September 13, 2021 — Volume 11, Number 4

Follow us on Social Media @USDLawStudentAffairs

Updated Fall 2021 USD Law COVID-19 Policy

USD's Culture of Care calls on each one of us to play an important role in enforcing our health and safety measures on campus. If you see someone violating our health and safety measures, respectfully say something to the person for their benefit and the benefit of our entire Torero community. If you are uncomfortable speaking out in the moment, please reach out to lawstudentaffairs@sandiego.edu. Thank You!

Please refer to Dean Schapiro's August 18th and August 27th emails for the most-up-to date policies, including the contact tracing protocol. Take careful note of the following:

• The University does not permit face shields and mesh face coverings, face masks in accordance with CDC guidance must be worn.
• Food and beverages cannot be consumed 1) during class, 2) at indoor events, and 3) inside the Legal Research Center.
• Engage in daily self-screening and stay home if you believe you are contagious because you're ill or because you believe you've been exposed to COVID and do not come to class until that is resolved.
• If you have to stay home for health-related reasons, you can keep up with your classes by watching recordings that are linked inside Blackboard. Classes are not being live streamed at this time.

Important Deadlines

• Mon. Sept. 13: Due date to enroll in or waive Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
• Fri. Sept. 17: Deadline to submit Semester Exchange Nominee application
• Fri. Sept. 17: Deadline to submit SBA 1L Representative Declaration of Candidacy
• Fri. Sept. 17: Last day to receive 80% tuition refund
• Thurs. Sept. 23 at 8:00am-Fri. Sept. 24 at 11:59pm: 1L Section and LLMC SBA Representative Elections
• Fri. Sept. 24: Deadline to apply for IPLA Mentor Program
• Fri. Sept. 24: Deadline to apply for USD Law Private Endowed Scholarship
• Fri. Sept. 24: Last day to receive 70% tuition refund

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, September 14

Wednesday, September 15

Thursday, September 16

Friday, September 17

Saturday, September 18

Monday, September 20

Tuesday, September 21

Wednesday, September 22

Thursday, September 23

Friday, September 24

Saturday, September 25

See All Upcoming Events

Announcements

Student Health Insurance Requirement

All law students enrolled in eight (8) or more credits are required to have health insurance while enrolled at the University of San Diego. This requirement ensures that students in need of health and/or mental health care beyond the scope of services provided at USD, or in case of a medical emergency, can access the appropriate resources in the community. 

At the beginning of every academic year in which you are registered for classes, the USD Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) premium will be charged to your USD Student Account.

To remove this charge, you can waive coverage if you already have other insurance that is comparable to the USD SHIP plan. If you need insurance please review the SHIP and if it meets your needs, actively enroll to ensure you are covered by the start of classes. The due date to complete this process is Monday, September 13, 2021. 

Failure to enroll or waive coverage by the deadline will result in you being enrolled in the annual SHIP and responsible for paying the annual premium charged to your USD Student Account. Please note that law students enrolled in fewer than eight (8) credits are NOT eligible for the requirement and CANNOT enroll in the SHIP. 

For any questions regarding the Student Health Insurance Plan, contact Gallagher Student Health through their online Customer Support Form or by calling (617) 769-6082 or toll-free at (877) 241-4649.

Parking Tips

Did you know you can use the MySDMobile app to find parking? On the left menu, click parking to see how many spaces are in each lot, including the Main Parking Structure (closest to the law school) and the West Structure. You can use the tram option on the left menu to view tram locations in real time.

Intellectual Property Law Association (IPLA) 1L Rep

IPLA (Intellectual Property Law Association) is looking for 1L Reps! This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about IP Law! No technical background required! Apply here. Contact: usdipla@gmail.com 

SBA 1L Representative Declaration of Candidacy

Calling all 1L Representative Candidates! Do not forget that your Declaration of Candidacy is due by September 17, 2021 at 11:59pm. The declaration form can by found on the SBA TWEN site under "SBA Documents" and the "SBA Elections" subfolder. Please email all declarations to usdlawelectionschair@gmail.com. 

SBA 1L Representative Elections

The election for 1L Section and LLMC Representatives will take place on Thursday, September 23 at 8 a.m. until Friday, September 24 at 11:59 p.m. All current students can vote in the election. Campaigning by the candidates will take place September 20 at 8 a.m. until September 23 at 8 a.m. Please visit the SBA TWEN page to learn more about the candidates. Be sure to add the SBA TWEN page so that you can vote in the election. Voting will take place online on the SBA TWEN page. Contact: SBA Elections Chair Raynier Ramos at usdlawelectionschair@gmail.com 

Intellectual Property Law Association (IPLA) Mentor Program

Are you interested in pursuing IP Law? IPLA is looking for Mentors and Mentees for the IPLA Mentor program! This is a great opportunity for 1Ls to get advice from upperclassmen who have experience in the field! Submit this form by September 24 and contact IPLA with any questions, concerns or requests at usdipla@gmail.com.

The USD Law Private Endowed Scholarship Application is Now Available

A number of scholarships are available for continuing (2, 3, & 4L) JD students during the 2021-2022 academic year. These scholarships are funded through the generosity of our alumni and friends. They are designed by the donors to recognize and encourage the achievement and potential of USD JD students. Consideration for these scholarships is generally based on academic performance, financial need, diversity and/or other specified qualifications. Students who submit this application will be considered for all available scholarships for which they qualify. The deadline to apply is Friday, September 24, 2021, by 5 p.m. Contact: Office of Financial Aid, lawaid@sandiego.edu

Students with Food or Housing Insecurity

Any student who faces challenges in securing food or reliable housing, which may affect their academic performance, is encouraged to contact the Office of Student Affairs (Hahn University Center, 232, studentaffairs@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-4588). Please visit the USD Food Pantry and Torero Closet website  for additional information including the short registration form.

Mandatory Prevention Education Courses

As part of the University of San Diego’s commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safe community, all students are required to complete an annual online education requirement which includes the following two courses:

• Sexual Assault Prevention Ongoing

• Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging for Students

These interactive, two-part courses are designed to help you think about how you will actively contribute to a welcoming, respectful and thriving community. Together, these courses will empower you to make well-informed decisions and to know how to support yourself and your peers. Please note that all Law students are required to complete Part 1 of each of the two courses by October 1, 2021, and Part 2, a 45-day follow-up, by November 15, 2021. Additional information about the online education requirement can be found here.

Course Recording Policy Reminder

Please be reminded that USD Law has a policy regarding course recordings to which all members of the USD Law community are expected to adhere. Courses are being recorded by the law school this semester. Please adhere to policy to preserve a respectful learning environment and protect student privacy, and note that it may be a violation of the Honor Code to:

• record, take screenshots or pictures of, or otherwise reproduce class sessions.
• disclose or circulate the link or URL of class sessions, recordings, or copies of recordings to anyone, for any reason.
• invite or permit anyone not enrolled in a class to attend a class session--either virtual or in person--without the express permission of the instructor.

Law Student in Need Fund

Through the generosity of donors, the School of Law has established the Law Student in Need Fund to provide direct support for law students who are facing emergency circumstances that place in jeopardy their ability to complete their legal education. Additional funds have become available for student applicants and we are happy to announce the reopening of the Law Student in Need Fund application. Please visit the Law Student in Need Fund website for the funding guidelines and a link to the application.

Law students are also eligible to apply to the Toreros Together Emergency Fund for Students. Law students who wish to apply for this fund should first apply to the Law Student in Need Fund. If you are not fully funded or need additional resources, you can apply to the Toreros Together Emergency Fund for Students here.

Applicants may not seek funding from both the Law Student in Need Fund and Toreros Together Emergency Fund for the same expense (i.e. cannot double-dip) unless the applicant is either denied or the total cost of the expense is not fully covered by one or the other. Contact: Office for Law Student Affairs.

Sidebar is a weekly enewsletter prepared by the Office for Law Student Affairs and is emailed to all USD law students every Monday morning. It contains important deadlines, announcements and upcoming events for the following two weeks. Past issues of sidebar can be found online.

Submit your listing request online by noon on the Thursday before you wish the listing to run. Listing requests may be edited. Listings will not be posted for more than two weeks. No images or attachments will be included, but URLs are welcome.

Law Student Affairs