Author: Lynn Lenart, Law Librarian

How to Avoid Plagiarism

Plagiarism, as defined on the University of Akron Office of General Counsel web page, “is the intentional or unintentional use of the words or ideas of another without acknowledging their source.” Deliberate and accidental plagiarism are treated the same by the University and the School of Law.  The University places the responsibility on the students to know what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.

Law students caught plagiarizing will be violating the Law School’s Student Disciplinary Code and will be subject to proceedings under the Code.  Consequences can be severe and may include dismissal from the University.

More information about plagiarism:

  1. Law Library Plagiarism Guide – find out what does not need citing, the purpose of citations and the many different categories of plagiarism.
  2. CALI Lesson:  Plagiarism – Keeping Out of Trouble – This lesson will explain what constitutes plagiarism, how to avoid plagiarizing, and offers opportunities for students to test their understanding of plagiarism.

Thank you,

Lynn Lenart

Assistant Law Librarian for Reference Services, Office- room 269, llenart@uakron.edu

CALI Authorization Code for University of Akron law students

The Computer Assisted Legal Instructions (CALI) lessons are a valuable resource that you may wish to use to review or reinforce material covered in class.

 “The CALI Library of Lessons is a collection of over 900 interactive, computer-based lessons covering most legal education subject areas. The lessons are designed to augment traditional law school instruction and can be assigned as supplemental study material or integrated with other course materials. ” (Source: CALI web site)

To use the lessons you will need to register on the CALI site and enter our law school’s authorization code.  Here are the instructions for obtaining the School of Law CALI authorization code and accessing the CALI lessons:

1. Click on this link and enter your UAnet ID and university password.

2. A PDF document will open with Akron’s CALI authorization code and additional instructions on accessing the CALI website.

3. Go to CALI’s website (http://www.cali.org ) and click on “Create New Account.”   Follow the instructions on that web page and enter the CALI authorization code when prompted.

You will need to use this authorization code the first time you register.   During the registration process you create a custom password. In subsequent visits to use the lessons, you will just enter your email address and your custom password.

Please do not give The University of Akron School of Law CALI authorization code to anyone outside of this law school.  The University of Akron is a member of the Center for Computer Assisted Legal Instruction and therefore has a license to the CALI exercises.

Questions? Please contact Lynn Lenart at llenart@uakron.edu or call 330-972-6357.

 

Westlaw and Lexis Printing During Winter Break

The University will be closed beginning Saturday, December 22 and will reopen on Wednesday, January 2, 2013.  This means that the Law Library will also be closed.  If you plan on conducting research on Lexis or Westlaw during break, please do not send your print jobs to the Westlaw or Lexis printers in the Law Library.  You may wish to print to your attached printer or download your work to your computer instead.

For more information about the Law Library’s Hours during winter break, follow this link.

For questions about Westlaw or Lexis please contact Ms. Lenart at 330-972-6357 or e-mail her at llenart@uakron.edu

Have a wonderful winter break!

Get Ready for Finals!

OASP and Sum & Substance- Circulation Changes

The circulation period and overdue fines for OASP and Sum and Substance materials will change for Reading Period and Finals. Starting on Friday, Nov. 30, these materials will circulate for only 1 day (instead of 72 hours) and no renewals will be allowed.  Overdue fines for these materials will increase from $1.00 per day to $5.00 per day.

These changes provide access to the materials for a greater number of students. If you have questions regarding these changes please stop by the Circulation Desk and ask to speak with Ms. Nevins or a librarian.

Shhh! Law Students are Studying . . .

It is the time of the semester when students are writing papers and preparing for exams.  Please be courteous of your fellow students and help control the noise level throughout the Law Library.  Please put your cell phones and pagers on vibrate and conduct quiet phone conversations either outside of the Law Library or near the Law Library restrooms.  If you listen to any form of audio, use headphones and keep the volume low.  Please limit conversations in open study areas and if you want to work in a group, please use a study room.  When using group study rooms please be respectful of your neighbors and keep discussions under control, the walls are not soundproof.  Thank you. 

School of Law Sample Exams

The University of Akron School of Law sample exams are available online through Springboard. Log on to Springboard using your UANet ID and Password and follow the link for Law School Sample Exams – Ongoing.

Law Library Guides to help you prepare for finals

To help you prepare for finals, take a look at these library guides: 

First Year Courses

Upper Division Bar Courses

Elective Courses

The guides link to information about study aids, course materials, audio lectures, flashcards, CALI lessons and AudioCaseFiles.  All these resources are available to University of Akron law students.

All Law Library Guides can be accessed here.

Don’t forget…you have access to West Study Aids on Westlaw!  See this posting for more information.

LEXIS and WESTLAW Academic Password Use

Your law school passwords for LexisNexis and Westlaw may be used for educational purposes directly related to coursework at the law school.  Other use violates the Student Disciplinary Code and constitutes a breach of our contracts with LexisNexis and Westlaw.  Using LexisNexis or Westlaw to do research in a paid position as a law clerk, intern, or clinician working for a firm, governmental entity or a nonprofit organization would violate the Student Disciplinary Code.  Also, you are not permitted to conduct legal research on LexisNexis and Westlaw for friends and family.

In addition to sanctions by theSchoolofLaw, a contract violation can result in having to pay the vendors for the services misused.  Repayment will be at commercial rates of about $5.00+ per minute.  Moreover, violators are likely to lose their privileges to use LexisNexis and Westlaw as students.  A pattern of violations at our school could result in the vendors canceling our contracts, which would have a devastating impact on all students and faculty.

For a copy of Westlaw’s and LexisNexis’ policy concerning academic passwords follow this link – http://law.uakron.libguides.com/lexis_westlaw_casemaker

Don’t Forget Casemaker

As an alternative to using LexisNexis or Westlaw, you may use Casemaker, the database available from the Ohio State Bar Association.  All Ohio law students can join the Ohio State Bar Association for free and your free membership includes access to Casemaker.  Casemaker has no academic password restrictions so you can use it to conduct research for your employer.

Questions?

Any question concerning what is proper or improper use of LexisNexis or WESTLAW should be directed to Ms. Lenart or Mr. Richert.

Ms. Lenart, Assistant Law Librarian for Reference Services

330-972-6357

llenart@uakron.edu