Hello incoming 1Ls!

My name is Paul Kressock and I am the President of the UBC Law Students’ Society (“LSS”) for the 2013-2014 academic year. I want to begin by congratulating you on being admitted to the Faculty of Law. It is quite an achievement and is the beginning of an exciting chapter in your academic career as well as your professional life. I hope that your reading of this blog means that you are keen to begin and indeed you should be! Having recently completed my first two years at UBC Law, I can attest to the fact that law school is at once a challenging, stimulating, and fun experience, and I certainly hope you are looking forward to the coming year as much as I am.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the LSS and to tell you a bit about what we do. The LSS is the student association at UBC Law and is charged with governing student affairs, organizing activities and events, and representing the student body to the Faculty, the University, and the legal community. By virtue of your enrolment in the JD program, you will be one of our approximately 560 members for the 2013-2014 year. The LSS operates by the efforts of volunteers, including officers of our Executive, Social, and Academic Councils who are elected by and composed of students of all years.

The LSS performs many functions within the law school and carries out the business of student government through its constituent committees:

• The Executive Council of the LSS is concerned with student governance at the law school as well as its representation to the UBC Alma Mater Society, the UBC Senate, and external parties.
• The Academic Council is concerned with issues that affect members as students and is the principal voice for students in the decision-making mechanisms of Faculty. Its officers sit on faculty committees that deal with matters like curriculum reform and admissions and serve as liaisons for students on academic matters. The Council also organizes opportunities for students to learn about course offerings and how to plan their degrees.
• The Social Council is concerned with student life at the law school and co-ordinates much of the programming directed to students outside of class time. Its officers primarily deal with the planning of social events and the regulation and funding of the law school’s many clubs, teams, and student organizations. Student activities and events are often the means by which law students form lasting friendships with one another and socialize with practitioners from Vancouver’s professional legal community.
  

  UBC Law Trike Race! Organized by the LSS and Sponsored by Farris LLP.

The LSS is an important resource for students and its volunteers work to improve the student experience in the classroom and around the school. We also have a student Ombudsperson to address student concerns and to ensure an equitable environment for students. We strive to foster a community where students can get the most out of their legal education and enjoy one another’s company. For my part, I am looking forward to welcoming you into the law school community this September as part of the UBC Law Class of 2016. I assure you that if you come with an open mind and a willingness to engage your peers and all that the student experience has to offer, you are going to relish your time at Allard Hall.  And trust me – it’s worth it.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.

Take care and enjoy your summer,

Paul Kressock

President, UBC Law Students’ Society

president@ubclss.com

First and foremost, congratulations on your acceptance to UBC Law!  You have successfully conquered a major hurdle (pat yourself on the back!) and are now ready to embark on this incredible journey.  The upcoming year is sure to bring intellectual challenge and rigorous academics, but will also bring more fun and inspiration than you can imagine!

My name is Darcy McKitrick, and as a second year law student and your Orientation Coordinator, it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to the Faculty.  Although it is only May, I have already begun planning a fantastic Orientation Week for you.  It will be held August 27th – 30th, 2013, so mark your calendars!  I’m getting excited already.

What can you expect from O-Week?  Well, put your books away because this is one week that you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.  The week serves to introduce you to UBC Law and the legal community, the space you’ll be working in for the next three years, the esteemed faculty, academic program, extracurricular opportunities, upper year volunteers to help guide the way, and most importantly, to each other!

As we finalize details, I will be keeping you up to date with everything you can expect from O-Week and your first year at UBC Law.  To stay current, you can touch base with us in the following ways:

1. ORIENTATION GUIDE:  This page of the UBC Law website is what I consider the O-Week Hub.  On this page, you will find links to the Blog and Facebook Group, as well as documents sent out by email, student schedules as they are finalized, and useful information about the Faculty of Law, UBC campus, and City of Vancouver.  The page is a little sparse right now, but will be chalk-full of great info as the summer progresses.  Find it easily by going to www.law.ubc.ca and clicking “Orientation Guide” under the Current Students Quicklinks tab at the bottom of the page.
2. ORIENTATION WEEK BLOG:  This blog will be continually updated with posts from me about O-Week, as well as from other upper years on the MANY diverse aspects of the program, their personal experiences, advice, and insight into what you can expect from first year.
3. EMAILS:  The Admissions Office will be emailing the incoming class periodically with important information.  Be sure to check your inbox!
4. FACEBOOK:  For those of you using Facebook, the UBC Law 2016 group is a quick and efficient way to stay current with what is going on.  If you are not on Facebook and don’t wish to be, do not fret!  All important information will be accessible through the Orientation Guide on the UBC Law website and sent out by email as well.  The FB group is a fantastic social device, however.  I found it to be a useful way to meet peers-to-be, ask questions informally, and post responses.  You may even find your future roommate there!

Finally, if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas for future blog posts, please don’t hesitate to email me at orientation@law.ubc.ca.  If you would like to talk to an upper year student and ask advice or take a tour of the Law building, email the UBC Law Student Ambassadors at ambassadors@law.ubc.ca and someone will respond as soon as possible.

Very last piece of advice:  Enjoy your summer!  The best way you can prepare for the upcoming year is to relax, rejuvenate, enjoy friends and family, and have some fun!   Truly.  Come September, you’ll be rested and ready to tackle first year law.

Congratulations, and Welcome to UBC!

— Darcy