New Building Updates

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Library reading room at Victoria College

Last fall, Victoria College was announced as the law school’s transitional home for the next two years. Since then, the SLS and the Administration have been working on making arrangements for the move, and begun to plan out more specifically how we will use the space.

Social Geography 101

Library reading room at Victoria College
Library reading room at Victoria College

Without the Rowell Room, Bora’s head, and the Lower Rotunda, law students will have to learn anew where they are supposed to hang out, study, and eat.

“We’re considering holding an early orientation, for not just first year students, but for all students, so that everyone can learn the common spaces” said SLS President Albert Lin (3L).

During the planning process, the SLS realized that the information they needed most was soft social information about how people actually use our existing common spaces. In late January, they conducted an online survey asking specific questions about student use of social spaces, and the kitchen. They received 170 responses from the whole student body.

Moreover, the SLS has plans to encourage law students to actually use these new spaces. “We need to create methods of drawing traffic to [the common space], to show people they can hang out there, since we won’t be accustomed to going there to hang out… we can use all sorts of traditions like muffin madness, free coffee, to draw people to that space”

Even then, the new building presents challenges. Many law school activities take place in the hall & common spaces between classes – ticket sales, for example. What will it be like to share the halls with undergrads as we’re hurrying to buy follies tickets and still make it to class on time?

“We talked to the administration about pushing class times off of schedule with undergrads, so that there wouldn’t be as much overlap in the hall” said VP Student Affairs Sierra Robart (2L). “It’s not yet clear if that’s something we can do. But that’s the sort of thing we’re thinking about – there are unique challenges because we’re not in an isolated environment anymore”

Moreover, Albert wanted students to focus on the positive aspects of the move.

“The Goldring center [across the street from Victoria College] is going to have a bar! One thing we don’t have right now is a facility for drinking and socializing, unless you drink in the locker room”

Yes, There Will Be Plugins For Your Laptops

The most frequent concern from students is that there may not be plugins for laptops in some classrooms. “People get caught up on certain concerns… like are we going to have plugs? We’re pretty sure there are going to be plugs” said Albert. “The faculty has definitely heard this concern, and they say there will be enough plugs.”

“We have asked Vic to give us priority on classrooms that will accommodate lots of laptops” said Assistant Dean of Students, Alexis Archbold. “Where this can’t happen, we will provide power bars in the classrooms.”

The classrooms in Victoria College tend to be a little smaller than our existing classrooms, and are more spread out. We will mostly be housed in two buildings – the Old Victoria building, and Northrop Frye. However, the precise classrooms that will be used by law students have not yet been decided.

Study rooms & moot practice rooms have not yet been sorted out.  “Once the classes have been booked, we will start to look at the needs of our co-curricular programs” Said Alexis Archbold.

Wine & Cheese, Tour of New Space Delayed

The Faculty had been hoping to introduce us all to the new space this spring, with a wine and cheese reception and tour. However, this event has been delayed. “They [Victoria College student groups] are still using the space, and it’s a huge mess” said Albert Lin.

“It has taken more time than we originally thought for Vic to vacate the Birge Carnegie space” said Alexis Archbold. “We are looking forward to holding a special law school community event in Vic when the space is ready for us to move in.”

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