CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN LAW SCHOOL

INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

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Attendance Requirements  [Arriving Late/Leaving Class]  [Classroom Rules]

[Exam Grades/Change of Address]  [Other Rules/Info]  [Exams]

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to maintain regular attendance at classes. There is no such thing as an excused absence. If a student is absent, it is an absence regardless of whether it is because of illness or other reasons. Rule 957 sets a maximum of 20% allowable absences for illness or other reasons (3 absences for each 3 unit class during the fall and spring semesters; and 3 absences for each 3 unit class and 2 absences for each 2 unit class during the summer session).

It is not permissible to sign the attendance sheet and leave class while the class is in session. Students are to remain in class until the class is terminated by the instructor. Anybody violating this rule will be considered absent for that class session.

Each student is provided a California Southern Law School Academic Desk Planner. You are responsible for keeping track of your absences for each course by making a notation on your calendar. The law school does not give out information regarding your absences. Please do not phone or inquire in person about your absences.

SIGNING THE ATTENDANCE ROSTER

Please sign your first and last name when signing the attendance roster. (Your middle initial is optional.) Do not initial your name. Do not abbreviate your first name.

Do not make any comments or alterations to students names when signing the attendance roster. Just sign the roll sheet and immediately pass it to the next student. The attendance roster is an official document subject to inspection by the State Bar.

UNETHICAL CONDUCT

It is unethical conduct to sign the name of another student to the attendance roster or to ask another student to do so. This conduct is grounds for disciplinary action, including notification of the State Bar.

California Southern Law School is required by Rule XIX of the Rules Regulating Admission to Practice Law In California to "maintain attendance records". The falsification of these required records by signing the name of another student on the attendance record is a serious breach of ethics.

ARRIVING LATE / LEAVING CLASS  [top]

ARRIVAL AFTER 7:00 P.M.

Students are expected to be in class at the time class begins at 6:45 p.m. or shortly thereafter. It is presumed that a student has allowed a sufficient amount of time to arrive to class by the time the attendance sheet is passed out at 7:00 p.m., and that arriving later than 7:00 will seldom occur.

If you arrive for class after 7:00 p.m., you may not sign the attendance sheet. Instead, you must report immediately to the office, sign a late attendance sheet, and take a seat at the rear of the classroom. (The last row is reserved for latecomers.) Students arriving before class should not sit in those rows.

If you arrive after 7:10 p.m. and by 7:30 p.m. you will receive a quarter of an absence. If you arrive after 7:30 p.m. you will receive a half of an absence.

PLEASE DON'T BE LATE FOR CLASS OR RETURNING AFTER THE BREAK

It is a distraction to the students and the instructor when a student comes in tardy. Please do your best to manage your time so as not to be tardy in getting to court, and you should likewise not be tardy in getting to class.

LEAVING CLASS DURING CLASS SESSION

It is not permissible to sign the attendance sheet and leave class while the class is in session. To do so is disruptive to the students and disrespectful to the instructor. Students must remain in class until the class is terminated by the instructor. Anybody violating this rule will be considered absent for that class session.

LEAVING CLASS BEFORE IT IS DISMISSED

It is not permissible to sign the attendance sheet and leave class while the class is in session. To do so is disruptive to the students and disrespectful to the instructor. Students must remain in class until the class is terminated by the instructor. Anybody violating this rule will be considered absent for that class session.

CLASSROOM RULES  [top]

DRINKS, FOOD & SNACKS

Drinks only -- NO food or snacks -- are permitted during classes, but please do not disturb your neighbors. Quiet is necessary in the classroom so that students can hear and concentrate free from noise and other distraction.

PORTABLE COMPUTERS AND TAPE RECORDERS IN THE CLASSROOM

Quiet portable computers may be used during class sessions. Please do not disturb your neighbors with their use. Computer users and those disturbed by the clicking sound of the keys should seat themselves away from one another so that disturbance is avoided. If any unresolved problems develops, please report it to the office.

The playing of computer games during class time is not tolerated. Students found in violation for any length of time will be prohibited from using their computers.  Tape recorders are PROHIBITED used during class sessions, unless permitted by the instructor.

PAGERS AND TELEPHONES IN THE CLASSROOM

Portable telephones have become an increasing and annoying problem. You hate it when they go off in theaters. We get annoyed when they go off in class. Leave them off or leave them home.

Pagers must be maintained in the vibration mode only. Pagers that have a sound mode only are not allowed in the classroom. If you receive a page you may answer it at the break or after class only. Do not leave class.

Students should instruct their friends and family that in the event of an emergency, calls should be placed into the office.

NO TALKING DURING CLASS

Instructors must talk to instruct, and students need a quiet classroom to hear and concentrate on what the instructor is saying. It is inconsiderate and impermissible for a student to talk while the instructor is talking and other students are trying to hear.

It is also impermissible for a student to speak out without first being recognized by the instructor. It is unfair to monopolize class time and it may incur the wrath of the class. Avoid asking irrelevant questions, for it is a waste of time for the entire class.

STUDENT CONDUCT

The Dean expects all students to act with civility. Language which is foul or is of a sexually harassing or demeaning nature will not be tolerated. Students are encouraged to inform the staff of any behavior which disturbs the learning environment.

If you or any other student is at any time subjected to sexual harassment or any other annoyance by any student, instructor, or anybody else, please notify the dean or Gregory Rich or Brian Rich immediately. Do not permit it to continue.

CHILDREN NOT PERMITTED IN CLASS

It is not permissible for children to be in the classroom. Thank you for your cooperation.

PUBLISHED BRIEFS

Published briefs are forbidden in the classrooms.

BRIEFING CASES

Each student is required to brief all cases in each of their classes. It is never advisable to have other students briefing your cases. Experience shows that failure to brief your own cases ultimately results in lower grades being achieved on the examinations.

LACK OF PREPARATION

All students are expected to be prepared to contribute during class. Instructors are encouraged to keep track throughout the semester of those students who are unprepared on a regular basis. These students may have their semester grades reduced at the discretion of the Instructor and the Dean.

EXAM GRADES / CHANGE OF ADDRESS  [top]

EXAM GRADES

PLEASE do not telephone the office for grades. They are mailed out immediately upon receipt and will NOT be given over the telephone.

LAW SCHOOL POLICY ON ACCOUNTS IN ARREARS AND THE MAILING OF GRADES

Any student with a balance due for a term will not receive their grades and grades will not be posted to their transcript. The releasing of grades of students whose accounts are past due depends upon the method of payment:

          Cash, cashier's check or money order - Grades are released immediately.

          Personal check - grades will not be released until 10 days from the date the check is deposited.

NOTIFY OFFICE OF CHANGE OF PHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESS

It is important that you promptly notify the office of any change in your home, cell, or work telephone number. Occasionally an instructor has an emergency develop that prevents his or her meeting the class and the office always tries to notify all students in order to avoid a wasted trip to the school. Promptly notify the office of any change of address so that grades are mailed to the correct address.

OTHER RULES / INFORMATION  [top]

NO SMOKING PERMITTED IN THE BUILDING

Smoking is not permitted in the building, including the restrooms.

PHOTOCOPYING

Photocopying is not available at the office. Students may use Kinko's on Magnolia.

PENCIL SHARPENER

The electric pencil sharpener on the credenza in the office is available for students.

CARING FOR BOOKS

Please do not leave your law books in your vehicle or in sunlight. Direct sunlight or heat may cause the binding on your casebooks or Gilbert Law Summaries to warp. Students cannot exchange damaged books with the school.

FALL, SPRING AND SUMMER EXAMS  [top]

Bluebooks and scratch paper for the exam are provided by the school. Exam answers are written using black ink as this is what the bar requires on their exams. A typing room is provided for those who wish to type the exam. Typists bring their own typing paper.