preLaw Magazine - Winter 2008 - (Page 22) administration, faculty members and students were eager to join together to implement a course and practicum that would provide pro bono services to low-income residents of New Orleans,” said Laurie Morin, UDC professor. “We were honored to be able to collaborate with the Pro Bono Project and other legal services providers, and were humbled by their dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity.” But the school’s progressive nature isn’t just limited to the curriculum, Broderick said. Several symposiums have been held, including one shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, on “How Do We Remain Safe and Free?” Other symposium topics included election reform, the No Child Left Behind legislation and this year’s “From the Bayou to the Beltway.” Political labels Whether law schools incorporate progressive thinking or faith-based curriculum, the question is still whether they really deserve their political labels. Soto-Vigil said he believes they do, but it shouldn’t steer conservative or moderate thinkers away. As UDC Student Government Association president, SotoVigil said he has a lot of friends at the law school who are conservatives. “The positive thing is we can all agree to disagree and still communicate and talk,” he said. While some law schools embrace their label, others shy away. Brauch said more Regent students and professors would identify themselves as conservative rather than liberal on the political spectrum. But he said Regent students and faculty members come from all across the spectrum. “In the classroom, legal and policy issues are discussed fully and openly with all views welcome,” he said. “There is no political correctness at Regent Law School.” Broderick said being No. 1 on the ranking for the most liberal students is an “honored title.” She said they feel they’ve earned their political label. As for the difference in the environment of a law school based off of the political spectrum, Soto-Vigil said students interested in utilizing the law for a progres- sive agenda should attend a more liberal law school. “Law by nature is conservative,” SotoVigil said. “The institution of teaching law is conservative, but I think our school does a great job of teaching a progressive style of teaching law.” Fitting the mold While some students feel comfortable expressing their ideas at their law school, there is concern among legislators that other students may not. This gave rise to legislation that would require public and private institutions to adopt policies recognizing an “academic bill of rights” for students and faculty. In 2003, the Academic Bill of Rights was created and distributed by Students for Academic Freedom, a public advocacy group spun off from the Center for the Study of Popular Culture, a think tank founded by former left-wing turned rightwing activist and writer David Horowitz. The document was created as a foundational part of SAF’s mission, to “end the political abuse of the university and to What makes a great lawyer? At Suffolk University Law School, we’ve been helping talented young people become highly effective lawyers for more than a century. Our recipe? We start with your intelligence, curiosity, self-discipline and drive. Then we add our signature ingredients: • • Outstanding teaching and one-on-one mentorship. Perhaps the broadest, richest, curriculum of any American law school, including five specialized concentrations. Hands-on experience and career connections that spring naturally from our 21,000 alumni around the world and our unbeatable location in the thriving heart of Boston. A close, encouraging, welcoming community of classmates and professors who make it all worthwhile. Suffolk Law. Because you have the makings of a great lawyer. • • Suffolk University Law School 120 Tremont Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108-4977 617.573.8000 www.law.suffolk.edu 22 preLaw http://www.law.suffolk.edu http://www.law.suffolk.edu
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