Author: dp105

Dear Students,

The MAX by AccessLex® Grand Prize Scholarship Drawing, where they will be giving away up to $270,000, is May 1. There will be six $25,000 winners and three $40,000 winners drawn. The more lessons you complete, the better your chances of winning. Get started now and keep up the good work!

The MAX webinar schedule has also been expanded for the rest of the semester. Every webinar you attend provides you with yet another scholarship entry as does completing the MAX survey for your class year. This is your last chance, so make it count!

Remember that you always have access to free one-on-one personal financial coaching with a MAX Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®). From budgeting to student loan repayment strategies to retirement planning, MAX coaches are there to help you now and after you leave law school.

Finally, you can use this resource for the most up-to-date student loan information due to the COVID-19 emergency or to find ideas on how to update your financial goals during this time.

Theresa Popp Braun, Ed.D., AFC®, CEPF® Regional Manager – Midwest AccessLex Center for Education and Financial Capability® 10 North High Street, Suite 400  ▪  West Chester, PA  19380 tpoppbraun@accesslex.org Direct (484) 653 3377   Mobile (419) 481-1218  AccessLex.org Know someone considering law school? MAX Pre-Law can help!

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to join in a game of Dungeons and Dragons to ward off boredom and stay connected during the quarantine. The game sessions will be hosted by Raph Petrig using free services on Discord and www.roll20.net. 

All levels of experience are welcome and support will be given to help new players learn the ropes. The game will follow rules from Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition with PDFs of the Player’s Handbook available courtesy Raph. If anyone is interested in learning to be a Dungeon Master or has experience being one and is willing to participate options to do so can be provided.

Games will initially be held Friday evenings but can be rescheduled to accommodate busy schedules. For more information or to sign up, contact Raph at asp72@zips.uakron.edu. We hope that everyone stays safe and healthy during this quarantine!”

I intended to use “Lawyers and Dragons” to refer to the game sessions. There are absolutely no costs to play and the only equipment required is a laptop and stable internet connection. Headsets with working microphones are recommended.

I’m so excited to share this game with the rest of my classmates and colleagues and can’t wait to get started!

Respectfully,

Amber “Raph” Petrig

Good Morning!
Anyone who wishes to review the Town Hall meeting that took place last night can find a web recorded version in the law student resources’ bright space under video recordings.

UA has a variety of support and resources available on our campus for students who may need some assistance in the coming weeks. 

Recognize signs of distress — Signs of distress include fear, difficulty concentrating, hopelessness, and voiced concerns of panic or worry. If you are concerned about a Zip, please encourage them to seek resources and support. A starting point is the Help-A-Zip Referral program as well as the Counseling and Testing Center.

Food  — Students needing access to food can utilize the Campus Cupboard program. Students may request a bag of items [to be picked up in Simmons Hall] through the Zips Care Package program web form online.

If finances are deeply impacted, some students may become newly eligible for government support, such as SNAP, if their jobs are affected. Assistance is available to help guide students through the application process. 

Emergency Aid — For those facing unexpected loss of wages during this time or in need of emergency financial assistance, guidance and resources may be available through the Student Emergency Financial Assistance [SEFA] program. Students are encouraged to complete a Help-A-Zip Referral online. 

• Help-A-Zip Referral Form
• Campus Cupboard

Community Support: 

The Salvation Army of Summit County is a support partner for our University of Akron students. 

• Students needing food access can receive a daily, hot meal between 12pm-12:45 at 190 S. Maple St Akron, OH 44302. 
• In addition, UA students can request access to a bag of food items each week by calling 330-762-8481. 
• Please let them know you are an enrolled UA student seeking support.  Per the regular protocol, may be asked to provide your UA ID and/or a current class schedule. 

Students who are worried about utility shut-off notices are encouraged to review provider websites, as many have suspended shutting off service during this time.  If you are concerned, the Salvation Army may be able to assist you with calls to providers such as utilities or landlords. You are encouraged to call 330-762-8481. Please let the desk know that you are a UA student seeking support. 

2-1-1 Summit County Resource Database can be access by going to www.211summit.org or by phone at 330-376-6660. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

• Questions such as food pantries, medical access, utilities, and more can be answered through this call center, powered by the United Way of Summit County. 
• Important information can be found here: http://www.211summit.org/Resources.aspx

The United Way of Summit County will continue to provide free, confidential financial coaching for UA students during this time.  You are encouraged to schedule an appointment with UAs liaison from United Way, Tory Longwill, via the online scheduling system or through an email to uazipassist@uakron.edu 

• During this time, appointments are being held through a video-call feature and more openings [other than Wednesdays] may be available by emailing uazipassist@uakron.edu 
• Schedule here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14441658&calendarID=2277201

Unemployment information is available through the Department of Job and Family Services. If you are currently laid off, due to COVID-19, you are highly encouraged to review the Q/A found here: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm. Many local businesses such as Acme, GOJO, and Meijer are hiring immediately.  We encourage you to visit Handshake [https://uakron.joinhandshake.com/login] and other online search engines for companies looking to fill pivotal openings. 

If you are concerned about the ability to access your courses due to COVID-19, please complete a Help-A-Zip Referral – Emergency Assistance.  A member of the ZipAssist team can provide direction and resources.  Please be detailed in your questions or concerns. Website: www.uakron.edu/referral 

Local internet providers are offering short-term deals or free access.  Companies such as Comcast and Spectrum released information recently about this discounted access. https://www.xfinity.com/student and https://mobile.spectrum.com/support/article/360040980371/coronavirus-covid19-update

UA has a variety of support and resources available on our campus for students who may need some assistance in the coming weeks. 

Recognize signs of distress — Signs of distress include fear, difficulty concentrating, hopelessness, and voiced concerns of panic or worry. If you are concerned about a Zip, please encourage them to seek resources and support. A starting point is the Help-A-Zip Referral program as well as the Counseling and Testing Center.

Food  — Students needing access to food can utilize the Campus Cupboard program. Students may request a bag of items [to be picked up in Simmons Hall] through the Zips Care Package program web form online.

If finances are deeply impacted, some students may become newly eligible for government support, such as SNAP, if their jobs are affected. Assistance is available to help guide students through the application process. 

Emergency Aid — For those facing unexpected loss of wages during this time or in need of emergency financial assistance, guidance and resources may be available through the Student Emergency Financial Assistance [SEFA] program. Students are encouraged to complete a Help-A-Zip Referral online. 

• Help-A-Zip Referral Form
• Campus Cupboard

Community Support: 

The Salvation Army of Summit County is a support partner for our University of Akron students. 

• Students needing food access can receive a daily, hot meal between 12pm-12:45 at 190 S. Maple St Akron, OH 44302. 
• In addition, UA students can request access to a bag of food items each week by calling 330-762-8481. 
• Please let them know you are an enrolled UA student seeking support.  Per the regular protocol, may be asked to provide your UA ID and/or a current class schedule. 

Students who are worried about utility shut-off notices are encouraged to review provider websites, as many have suspended shutting off service during this time.  If you are concerned, the Salvation Army may be able to assist you with calls to providers such as utilities or landlords. You are encouraged to call 330-762-8481. Please let the desk know that you are a UA student seeking support. 

2-1-1 Summit County Resource Database can be access by going to www.211summit.org or by phone at 330-376-6660. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

• Questions such as food pantries, medical access, utilities, and more can be answered through this call center, powered by the United Way of Summit County. 
• Important information can be found here: http://www.211summit.org/Resources.aspx

The United Way of Summit County will continue to provide free, confidential financial coaching for UA students during this time.  You are encouraged to schedule an appointment with UAs liaison from United Way, Tory Longwill, via the online scheduling system or through an email to uazipassist@uakron.edu 

• During this time, appointments are being held through a video-call feature and more openings [other than Wednesdays] may be available by emailing uazipassist@uakron.edu 
• Schedule here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14441658&calendarID=2277201

Unemployment information is available through the Department of Job and Family Services. If you are currently laid off, due to COVID-19, you are highly encouraged to review the Q/A found here: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm. Many local businesses such as Acme, GOJO, and Meijer are hiring immediately.  We encourage you to visit Handshake [https://uakron.joinhandshake.com/login] and other online search engines for companies looking to fill pivotal openings. 

If you are concerned about the ability to access your courses due to COVID-19, please complete a Help-A-Zip Referral – Emergency Assistance.  A member of the ZipAssist team can provide direction and resources.  Please be detailed in your questions or concerns. Website: www.uakron.edu/referral 

Local internet providers are offering short-term deals or free access.  Companies such as Comcast and Spectrum released information recently about this discounted access. https://www.xfinity.com/student and https://mobile.spectrum.com/support/article/360040980371/coronavirus-covid19-update