Incoming Students: Orientation - Capital University Law School

Incoming Students: Orientation

  • Welcome to Capital University Law School! We are glad you have chosen our school to help prepare you for the legal profession, and we look forward to meeting you soon. The following is the tentative 2021 pre-orientation, orientation, and post-orientation schedule for incoming Juris Doctor students. We have put considerable time and effort into offering you valuable sessions that will allow you to transition into learning the law. Thus, the expectation is that you will allocate the time to attend each of the sessions. We do make exceptions for unavoidable time conflicts, but we like to avoid them if at all possible. We want you to feel ready to hit the ground running on Day 1.

    You will be provided detailed instructions (including where to access Zoom links, videos, quizzes, and homework) in the Orientation Instructions on TWEN, our learning management system. You will learn how to access TWEN on New Student Day, August 5, 2021

    During New Student Day you will also receive your fall semester course schedule and section assignment (sections A & B are for full-time and part-time day students and section M is for part-time evening students). 

    New Student Orientation FAQs (updated 8/3/2021)

    PRE-ORIENTATION WEEK SCHEDULE (SKILLS ONLY): August 8 – August 13

    NOTE: Pre-Orientation is online only. There are no in-person components.

    Requirements for Pre-Orientation Synchronous Instruction

    A video camera is required. A link to the synchronous Zoom meetings will be posted on the 1L Orientation TWEN page prior to the start of class. Please refer to the Preliminary Instructions for information on how to access TWEN and join a Zoom meeting. For every synchronous session, you are required to:

    • Be logged into Zoom at least five minutes prior to the start of the session.
    • Have your video camera on at all times. You must keep your microphone muted unless it is your turn to speak.
    • If you want to ask a question, click the “raise your hand button.” After you are finished speaking, mute your microphone again.
    • If you have questions about Zoom, please contact: Law IT Helpdesk (IT@law.capital.edu)   

    TWEN: Being able to log on to TWEN is imperative to access important documents and take the required quizzes. You will receive access and training during New Student Day events on August 5. If you are having trouble with TWEN, please contact one of our law school librarians:

    NOTE: All Zoom and video links will be accessible via TWEN. See "Orientation Schedule" in TWEN for complete information.

    ASSIGNMENT 1. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of case reading techniques, name the components of a case brief, and articulate the meaning of material facts.

    • Asynchronous Work by Sunday, August 8 by 11:59 p.m. Watch the Case Reading and Case Briefing videos and take the associated quizzes Case Reading and Case Briefing Components 
    • Synchronous Session on Monday, August 9
    • Facilitated Discussion / Q & A on Case Reading and Case Briefing
      • Section A – Professor Hara – 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
      • Section B – Professor Twiss – 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
      • Section M – Professor McCaughan – 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.


    ASSIGNMENT 2. Students will be able to name and describe the parts of IRAC and be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of law school exams.

    • Asynchronous Work by Tuesday, August 10 by 11:59 p.m. Watch the Intro to IRAC and Intro to Law School Exams videos and take the associated quiz on IRAC and Exams
    • Synchronous Session on Wednesday, August 11 
    • Facilitated Discussion / Q & A on the Intro to Legal Analysis (IRAC) and Intro to Law School Exams videos
      • Section A – Professor Hara – 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
      • Section B – Professor Twiss – 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
      • Section M – Professor McCaughan – 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.


    ASSIGNMENT 3. Students will be able to articulate the types of time management activities and implement time management techniques into a study schedule.

    • Asynchronous Work by Thursday, August 12 at 11:59 p.m. Watch the Intro to Time Management video and take the associated quiz on Time Management
    • Synchronous Session on Friday, August 13 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
    • Facilitated Discussion / Q & A on the Intro to Time Management video
      • Section A – Professor Hara
      • Section B – Professor Twiss
      • Section M – Professor McCaughan



    ORIENTATION WEEK SCHEDULE: August 15 – August 20

    Sunday, August 15

    Writing Diagnostic – Writing is an integral part of law school, and this writing diagnostic will be used to help us identify strengths and areas of improvement to assist you in being the best writer you can be. All students take a 1-hour, 40-minute exam anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on 08/15/21. 

    Core Grammar – Proper use of grammar and style to effective writing, and show both professionalism and attention to detail. The law school uses an online diagnostic tool called “Core Grammar for Lawyers” that is designed to test your baseline knowledge of grammar and style rules (“Pre-Test”). The website then provides lessons that will allow you to quickly master these skills prior to the second assessment (“Post-Test”). Students must complete the “Pre-Test” no later than 11:59 pm on 08/16/2021.

    See TWEN for complete instructions for both the Writing Diagnostic and Core Grammar.

    DOCTRINAL homework prior to Monday, 8/16:  Estimated time 2 hours and 20 minutes

    Locate on Materials on Vicarious Liability (TWEN – Reading Materials and Resources). Complete assignment for Class 1 including watching all videos and reading and briefing Krickl v. Girl Scouts and Clover v. Snowbird.

    NOTE: Beginning Monday, August 16, orientation is in person. Hence, you should plan to be present at the Law School (303 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215). Students will meet by section in-person Monday through Wednesday (you will receive your section assignment on New Student Day).

      Monday, August 16  

      • 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. SKILLS: Briefing Krickl v. Girl Scouts and Clover v. Snowbird
        • Section A – Professor Hara (in person) Room 242
        • Section B – Professor Twiss (in person) Room 245
      • 2:20 – 3:40 p.m. DOCTRINAL: Krickl v. Girl Scouts and Clover v. Snowbird
        • Section A – Professor Molina (in person) Room 242
        • Section B – Professor Gilles (in person) Room 245

      • 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. SKILLS: Briefing Krickl v. Girl Scouts and Clover v. Snowbird
      • 7:20 – 8:40 p.m. DOCTRINAL: Krickl v. Girl Scouts and Clover v. Snowbird
        • Section M – Professor Molina (in person) Room 245

       

      DOCTRINAL homework prior to Tuesday, 8/17:  Estimated time 2 hours and 10 minutes

      Locate on Materials on Vicarious Liability (TWEN – Reading Materials and Resources). Complete assignment for Class 2 including watching all videos and reading and briefing Fiocco v. Carver.

      Tuesday, August 17 – Classes will take place in the same rooms as used on Monday.

      • 1:00 – 2:20 p.m. DOCTRINAL: Fiocco v. Carver
        • Section A – Professor Molina
        • Section B – Professor Gilles
      • 2:40 – 3:40 p.m. SKILLS: Examining IRAC with a burglary problem (Dave problem)
        • Section A – Professor Hara 
        • Section B – Professor Twiss

      • 6:00 – 7:20 p.m. DOCTRINAL: Fiocco v. Carver
        • Section M – Professor Molina 
      • 7:40 – 8:40 p.m. SKILLS: Examining IRAC with a burglary problem (Dave problem)
        • Section M – Professor McCaughan 


      SKILLS Homework prior to Wednesday, 8/18:  Estimated time 1 hour

      On TWEN, under the Quizzes, Exercises, and Exams tab, locate and complete the practice burglary problem (Molly problem).

      Wednesday, August 18 – Classes will take place in the same rooms as used on Monday.

      • 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. SKILLS review practice burglary problem (Molly problem)
        • Section A –  Professor Hara 
        • Section B – Professor Twiss 

      • 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. SKILLS review practice burglary problem (Molly problem)
        • Section M – Professor McCaughan


      OPTIONAL Online Office Hours on Zoom 
      4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.  
      If you have questions as you work on your outline, feel free to drop by these sessions

      DOCTRINAL Homework prior to Thursday, 8/19:  Estimated time 3 hours

      Watch video on Outlining Vicarious Liability and while completing the handout found under Reading Material and Resources on TWEN.  Create your own outline and review for the exam.

      Thursday, August 19

      Take the 1-hour vicarious liability practice exam, available at 8:00 am on TWEN. The practice exam is open book, and you will take it remotely. You should turn in your practice exam answer on TWEN no later than 9:00 p.m. on Friday, August 20.

      Convocation (NOTE: This is an in-person event at the main campus of Capital University.)
      Mees Hall, Capital University, 1 E. Main St., Bexley, Ohio

      • 5:00 p.m.         Doors open
      • 5:30 p.m.         Friends and Family Conversation
      • 6:00 p.m.         Program


      Friday, August 20 (NOTE: This is an in-person event at the Law School.)

      Law School Classroom and Beyond – All new students will be introduced to the law school building through a tour while attending four 30-minute sessions covering

      • Law Library Services (Law Library)
      • Student Services (Annex)
      • SBA and Wellness (Commons)
      • Classroom Experience (245)

      Upper-level students, staff, and faculty will be present to help guide students to the appropriate location for the sessions.

      Full-Time & Part-Time Day Students

      • 8:00 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. – Light Breakfast
      • 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Intro & Tour

      Light breakfast options will be available outside of the Huntington Student Commons. Students may enjoy breakfast in the Commons or in classrooms. By 8:50 AM, students should report the following locations based on their Legal Analysis, Research, and Writing section:

      • A1 & A2 – Law Library (4th Floor – Take South Elevators)
      • B1 & B2 – Room 245 (2nd Floor)
      • C1 & C2 – Rooms A121/A122 (Annex – accessible from Capital Street Lobby)

      Part-Time Evening Students

      • 5:00 p.m. – 5:50 p.m. – Boxed Dinner
      • 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Intro & Tour

      Boxed dinner options will be available outside of the Huntington Student Commons. Students may enjoy their meal in the Commons or in classrooms. By 5:50 PM, students should report the following locations based on their Legal Analysis, Research, and Writing section:

      • M1 – Law Library (4th Floor – Take South Elevators)
      • M2 – Room 245 (2nd Floor)


      Saturday, August 21 (NOTE: This is an in-person event at the Law School.)

      Law School Community Day – 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

      Join the Law School community for the annual Fall Forum, an opportunity to meet representatives from student organizations, professional associations, library, and bar exam prep vendors, and law school departments. Enjoy lunch and casual networking.


      POST-ORIENTATION SCHEDULE

      NOTE: Post-Orientation is online only. There are no in-person components.

      Week of August 23 – First Week of Classes 

      Tuesday, August 24

      • Practice exam returned

      Wednesday, August 25

      • Zoom Session from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
      • Facilitated Discussion / Orientation Recap and Questions


      Week of August 30 – Second Week of Classes 

      Wednesday, September 1

      • Synchronous Session – Substance Abuse & Mental Health in the Legal Profession
      • 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.


      Week of September 6 – Third Week of Classes 

      Wednesday, September 8

      • Synchronous Session – Character & Fitness and the Duty to Disclose
      • 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.