Community Service Limited Means Opportunity!*

On Saturday, November 17, 2012, The Summit Special Olympics Athletic Club (SSOAC) is sponsoring its 8th annual memorial invitational swim meet in honor of former team member, Brooke McMahan.  The meet will be held at the University of Akron ONAT located on campus.  SSOAC is a Summit County DODD and family supported swim team that competes regionally in Ohio Special Olympics swim meets.   A number of other area Special Olympics swim teams will participate at this event.  SSOAC  needs volunteers to help during this event in a variety of areas, including lunch distribution, timekeeper, runner, athlete assistant and companion, and the like. Together, we will be able to help these special athletes enjoy a fun-filled day of training and competition.  If you are interested, contact Professor Shaver at eas68@uakron.edu.

*Please note this volunteer opportunity counts towards your Community Service Limited Means hours and not Pro Bono Limited Means.*

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

The Public Justice Foundation is holding its annual Hogan/Smoger Access to Justice contest.  This year’s topic is:

“Is Democracy for Sale? Have Citizens United’s holdings run amok? Legal challenges left to Super Pacs? Can funding disclosure be required?”

The winner of the essay contest will receive $5,000, a free 2013 Public Justice Foundation Student Membership, and their essay will be featured on the Public Justice website and in the nationally disseminated Public Justice newsletter.  The contest is open to all law students that are currently enrolled in a U.S. accredited law school.  The intent to enter deadline is January 31, 2013, and the essay submission deadline is March 31, 2013.  Click here for the intent to enter form, contest rules, and judging criteria.

If you have any questions about the essay contest, please feel free to contact Outreach Coordinator, Cassandra Goings, at cgoings@publicjustice.net or at (202) 797-8600.

‘Food for Fines’ serves a good cause

Did you return your books a little late? Your opportunity to pay off fines and help a good cause is here. From Nov. 12-30 Bierce, Science and Technology, and the Law libraries are sponsoring their semiannual “Food for Fines” drive to support the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s “Harvest for Hunger” Campaign.

Here’s the deal: 1 food item = $1 toward your fines, and there’s no limit to the number of items that you may bring to the circulation desks at each library. This offer cannot be used to pay for items that are lost or billed to your library account. Also, we cannot accept perishable, expired, or damaged food items. Stop by for more information.

Since 2004, more than 20,000 pounds of food has been collected by UA Libraries for those in need.

Pro Bono Limited Means Opportunity!

On Saturday, November 17, 2012, The Summit Special Olympics Athletic Club (SSOAC) is sponsoring its 8th annual memorial invitational swim meet in honor of former team member, Brooke McMahan.  The meet will be held at the University of Akron ONAT located on campus.  SSOAC is a Summit County DODD and family supported swim team that competes regionally in Ohio Special Olympics swim meets.   A number of other area Special Olympics swim teams will participate at this event.  SSOAC  needs volunteers to help during this event in a variety of areas, including lunch distribution, timekeeper, runner, athlete assistant and companion, and the like. Together, we will be able to help these special athletes enjoy a fun-filled day of training and competition.  If you are interested, contact Professor Shaver at eas68@uakron.edu.