Student Handbook: Academic and Administrative Policies

The Office of the Dean is responsible to the law faculty, the president, the provost, and the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University for the management of the College of Law. The duties and authority of the Office of the Dean include the following: administration of the College of Law; implementing and enforcing College of Law and university policies; assuring compliance with legal accreditation requirements; coordinating strategic planning; preparing and administering the College of Law budget and records, including student records; hiring and supervising administrative staff; supporting faculty research efforts; forming and convening faculty committees; providing staff assistance for faculty committees; imposing sanctions under the College of Law Rule of Professional Conduct; assuring adequate maintenance and improvement of the physical facilities; and fundraising.

These duties and authority may be exercised by the dean and the dean's designee. In addition, the Office of the Dean serves as the principal liaison with the NIU administration, the Alumni Council, the Board of Visitors, the American Bar Association, other national, regional, and local bar associations, and the Association of American Law Schools. The Office of the Dean is headed by the dean of the College of Law, who is assisted by the associate dean, associate dean for student affairs, assistant deans, administrative staff members, and others designated by the dean from time to time.

The Associate Dean is responsible for supervising College of Law academic and curricular matters, including scheduling of law school courses and examinations, designation of teaching assignments, coordination with other NIU departments, and various matters involving or affecting the College of Law faculty. The Associate Dean also oversees student requests for approval of directed research projects and credit for courses from other graduate school departments.

The Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs oversees a wide range of matters pertaining to the student body, including student requests for exam rescheduling, class absences, course withdrawals, transfer of credits from other law schools, and departures from prescribed academic policies and workloads. The Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs also supports and oversees the mission of student academic support, supervises students on probation, investigates and reports on violations of the College of Law Rule of Professional Conduct, provides counseling and assistance to law students, and serves as the principal contact person for all students with disabilities enrolled at the College of Law.

The College of Law, through its Office of Career Opportunities and Professional Development (Career Services), is committed to helping students find permanent employment, as well as school-year and summer clerkships. Although students retain the primary responsibility for their job searches, Career Services is available to assist them in this endeavor by aiding in the identification of career goals and opportunities and providing extensive counseling. Among other activities, Career Services conducts an on-campus interview program; maintains résumé referral and direct-employer contact services; participates in state and national consortia and job fairs; hosts informal on-campus workshops, lectures, and interview "boot camps"; cultivates relationships with alumni, employers, and bar associations; distributes information concerning admission to the bar; assists students with 711 licenses; administers 1L and 2L mentoring programs, APPLE and PILS grants, and summer assistantships; oversees the annual PILS auction; compiles employment statistics; maintains a resource library; publishes a weekly newsletter called "Career Corner"; and maintains an online job board.

The Office of Strategic Communications, Alumni Engagement, and Diversity Initiatives is responsible for maintaining and strengthening relationships with all alumni of the College of Law and for guiding current students into active participation in law school activities after graduation. All graduates of the College of Law are members of the Northern Illinois University College of Law Alumni Association, whose Alumni Council expands the interests of alumni through receptions and other events held throughout the state. To enhance the public image of the College of Law, the Office releases information to the media on faculty achievements, student honors and awards, and the activities of various law school committees and organizations. The Office also provides opportunities for educational and professional development by making available the expertise of the College of Law's own faculty and of visiting faculty and dignitaries through legal symposia, conferences, and seminars. In addition to these activities, the Assistant Dean helps coordinate many College of Law events and serves as the liaison for the College of Law Board of Visitors, which is a group of distinguished judges, attorneys, academics, alumni, and corporate executives.

The Office is also responsible for enhancing the College of Law's web presence, including creation of content, website maintenance, and administration of social networking sites, digital signage, and web-based forms.

The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid administers and guides students through the law school application process and the transition to the College of Law. The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid also refers current students to appropriate university offices for help in meeting their educational costs and living expenses while in the College of Law through a variety of scholarships, loan programs, and other means. The College of Law participates in all federal Title IV programs available at the graduate and professional level. These include the Direct Federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans programs. Additional information concerning financial aid programs and procedures of the College of Law and the university is available online.

The Office of Budget and Financial Records is the custodian of all revenue and expenses associated with the College of Law. It is also responsible for the submission of all purchasing and invoicing paperwork, as well as compilation of financial statistics. In addition, this office handles student travel and student organization expenses.

The Office of the Registrar is custodian of matriculated law student records and files and is responsible for the posting of class offerings and grades in MyNIU and for the registration and withdrawal of law students. The Office of the Registrar also administers class rankings, honors, and the audit for degree candidacy for graduation. In addition, it is responsible for the dissemination of information to external agencies such as the American Bar Association (ABA) and state boards of bar examiners.

The College of Law Office of Information Technology Services provides onsite support for the students, staff, and faculty of the College of Law at its main campus in DeKalb and its two satellite locations: the Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic in Rockford and the NIU College of Law Medical-Legal Partnership in Aurora. Additional information concerning IT support at the College of Law and from the University is available online. Email requests for IT/AV services at the College of Law can be sent to colit@niu.edu.

The David C. Shapiro Memorial Law Library provides access to an outstanding legal collection and facilitates the strong research mission of the College of Law. Located in the heart of the law school on the second floor of Swen Parson Hall, the law library curates a collection of essential online and print legal research resources. Students have access to Westlaw, Lexis, HeinOnline, and Bloomberg Law, in addition to other critical online legal archives. The law library's primary function is serving the needs of the students and faculty of the College of Law. To facilitate use by NIU students, the law library offers legal research orientation programs and tours. Library faculty also teach basic and advanced legal research courses and provide assistance on particular research questions through virtual and in-person reference services. Additional information concerning the resources, services, and staff of the law library is available on the Law Library homepage.

Research support for law students is also provided through Founders Memorial Library, the university's main library, which is conveniently located across the street from the College of Law.

In addition to their teaching, research, and service responsibilities, the faculty of the College of Law works in concert with the Office of the Dean to make policy decisions relating to the academic mission of the College of Law. Much of the work in this area occurs through standing committees, including the Academic Standing, Admissions, Appointments, Bench and Bar, Budget, Curriculum, Faculty Development, Strategic Planning and Assessment, and Library committees, as well as short-term task forces and working groups.

The faculty and administration endeavor to consult the student body on a regular basis for input on policy issues affecting students at the College of Law. The Office of the Dean seeks student input through formal and informal student surveys, direct student meetings with the deans, periodic meetings with the student body through informal town hall meetings, and regular discussions with student organization leaders and with the students' elected representatives in the Student Bar Association (SBA). Student representatives, identified by the SBA, are voting members of the College of Law Disciplinary Committee and non-voting members of the following faculty committees: Bench and Bar, Curriculum, and Strategic Planning and Assessment.

As prospective attorneys, law students are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards. Specific rules of conduct govern students at the College of Law and have implications for character and fitness upon application to the bar. Those rules of conduct include, but are not limited to:

• The College of Law Rule of Professional Conduct and its interpretive comment
• The disclosure and other requirements of the American Bar Association and applicable state bar associations
• Ongoing disclosure obligations to the College of Law
• The Northern Illinois University Code of Student Conduct

In addition to the above rules of conduct, students in the College of Law are subject to various policies, procedures, and rules of conduct as members of the Northern Illinois University community. To assist students in navigating these various rules, policies, and codes of conduct, a variety of resources are available at the College of Law and in the University, as described in Sections 2.8 and 2.9.

The following College of Law Rule of Professional Conduct and Interpretive Comment have been adopted by the faculty.

2.2.1 Rule of Professional Conduct

It is professional misconduct for a member of the law school to:

1. Engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; or
2. Engage in conduct that is proscribed by law and that reflects adversely on the member's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness to practice law in other respects.

2.2.2 Professional Conduct Interpretive Comment

The College of Law is an academic and professional institution integrally connected to Northern Illinois University and closely tied to the organized profession of law. Members of the College have adopted this Rule to recognize the academic and professional values of the larger communities of which we are a part. Violations may subject a member to appropriate sanctions. All members should give serious attention to both individual and collective responsibility for compliance and enforcement.

2.2.2.1 Substantive Content of the Mandatory Rule

Clause (1) of §2.2.1 incorporates the general professional rule on honesty and trustworthiness as well as a prohibition of all forms of academic misconduct. Academic misconduct includes:

• Plagiarism
• Unauthorized collaboration
• Use of unauthorized material in connection with any paper or examination
• Misuse of materials, including secreting or unauthorized use of library resources, such as computerized research facilities
• Other forms of academic misconduct

Other forms of dishonest conduct beyond academic misconduct include misrepresentation in law school admissions proceedings or in seeking professional employment.

2.2.2.2 Conduct Affecting the Community

Clause (2) of §2.2.1 addresses conduct that interferes with community needs or violates the dignity and rights of others. Members are professionally answerable for conduct indicating a lack of characteristics relevant to membership in this academic and professional community ("fitness to practice law"). Sanctions are limited to conduct directly relevant to the College's academic and professional goals.

2.2.2.3 Interpretation of the Rule

The Rule should be interpreted and applied in light of this Comment, aimed at maintaining a thriving academic and professional community. Conduct in violation may also violate other rules, including the NIU Student Code of Conduct. Procedural guidelines for enforcement are described in §2.6.

2.2.3 Summary of Recent Professional Misconduct Decisions

Since 2012, the following student actions have been found to constitute professional misconduct, resulting in sanctions. This list is illustrative and not exhaustive.

i. Unauthorized collaboration

• Reading portions of one's work to another student
• Providing copies of one's work to another student
• Completing part of another student's legal research assignment
• Viewing another student's work without using it
• Discussing an assignment with another student
• Looking at another student's computer screen containing answers and asking questions

ii. Plagiarism

• Copying portions of another student's work and presenting it as one's own (with or without edits)
• Copying parts of a published article without attribution or quotations
• Copying case and other citations from online sources or other students' work
• Using unauthorized sources for ideas or structure of an assignment
• Using a former student's work or forms as templates
• Using exam answers found online without authorization

iii. Misrepresentation and Deception

• Lying to a dean during an investigation of alleged misconduct
• Attempting to get a supervisor to lie to the law school
• Making material misrepresentations in petitions or discussions with faculty
• Lying to a supervisor about requirements being met
• Using an exam answer key obtained online without authorization

iv. Misconduct During Exams

• Copying parts of another student's final or midterm examination answers
• Using unauthorized material (such as an outline) in an examination

v. Other Misconduct

• Recording a class without the professor's permission

2.3 Students' Authorship of Written Works

Submission of written work by a student at the College of Law certifies exclusive authorship without unauthorized assistance. Credit may be earned in only one course unless pre-approved by all instructors. Work prepared outside the law school may not be submitted for credit.

2.3.1 Use of Artificial Intelligence Large Language Models

The use of AI large language models (such as ChatGPT) in academic work, competitions, or exams is prohibited unless expressly permitted by the professor. Professors allowing use may require disclosure of AI outputs. Spell-check, grammar-check, and authorized platforms (Westlaw, Lexis) are not restricted. Students are responsible for consulting professors when uncertain about permitted tools.

All students at the College of Law must immediately disclose any circumstances or events occurring after their application submission until graduation that may bear on their character and fitness to join the Bar. This includes circumstances related to the following questions:

1. Have you ever been subject to dismissal, suspension, probation, misconduct accusations, probable cause hearings, lowering of a grade, or any other academic or social sanction by any educational or professional institution, including sealed or expunged incidents?
2. Have you ever, including as a juvenile, been formally or informally detained, restrained, cited (including traffic citations in the last 10 years but not parking tickets), summoned to court, arrested, accused, charged, convicted, placed on probation or supervision, or forfeited collateral for any offense against law, including sealed or expunged incidents?
3. In a paid or volunteer employment setting, have you been accused of misconduct, disciplined, permitted to resign in lieu of discipline, discharged, or requested to resign, including sealed or expunged incidents?
4. Have you ever been held in contempt of court, or are there any unsatisfied decrees, judgments, liens, or orders against you?
5. Have you been discharged from the armed forces other than by honorable discharge, or sentenced in a court-martial proceeding, including sealed or expunged incidents?

Students must also supplement or correct prior application answers if inaccurate or incomplete, submitting disclosures to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs per instructions. Consider the importance of these disclosures for bar character and fitness review (see §9.3.2).

Upon registration, College of Law students agree to abide by NIU policies, rules, and expectations, including the Northern PACT, which encompasses six principles:

• Curiosity and Creativity: Engage actively in learning, open to new ideas, and innovative research, artistry, and scholarship.
• Equity and Inclusion: Appreciate diverse perspectives, consider the impact of actions and words, and respect all community members.
• Ethics and Integrity: Value global perspectives, behave ethically, and be accountable to self and community.
• Service and Responsibility: Address local, national, and global challenges, take responsibility for change, and use knowledge to support community.
• Pride in My Pack: Support NIU values, care for self and others, and promote the well-being of the university community.

Article III of the NIU Student Code of Conduct prohibits conduct such as physical or verbal abuse, disruptive behavior, prohibited drug/alcohol use, fraud, harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, theft, weapons violations, and noncompliance with officials. Procedures for enforcement are described in §2.7.

The following procedures govern enforcement of the College of Law Rule of Professional Conduct (§2.2). The Associate Dean for Student Affairs may delegate responsibilities to the Interim Assistant Dean for Student Affairs as needed.

2.6.1 Academic or Other Professional Misconduct in a Course or Co-Curricular Activity

1. Members with reasonable grounds to believe misconduct has occurred must report it to the faculty member or Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
2. Faculty with reasonable grounds must request review by the Associate Dean. If reported directly, the Associate Dean must notify the relevant faculty.
3. A formal written complaint must be submitted. The Associate Dean investigates and decides if misconduct occurred and the appropriate sanction.
4. If the student and faculty member agree no sanction is necessary, the Associate Dean reports informally to the Dean; no record is placed. If sanctions are agreed upon, the decision is reported, and a record is placed with copies sent to relevant parties.
5. If disagreement persists, the Dean decides within 14 days of written request. Meetings are limited to the Dean, administrative assistant, student, faculty, and witnesses called.
6. If disagreement persists after the Dean's decision, either party may request a hearing before the Disciplinary Committee (see §2.6.3).

2.6.2 Academic or Other Professional Misconduct Outside a Course or Co-Curricular Activity

1. Members with reasonable grounds must report misconduct to the Associate Dean.
2. The Associate Dean investigates and decides if misconduct occurred and the appropriate sanction.
3. If all parties agree on the decision, the Associate Dean reports informally if no sanction; if sanctions are imposed, a record is placed and copies sent.
4. If disagreement persists, the Dean decides within 14 days of written request.
5. If disagreement persists after the Dean's decision, either party may request a hearing before the Disciplinary Committee (see §2.6.3).

2.6.3 College of Law Hearing Process for Academic or Other Professional Misconduct

1. Requests for hearings (§§2.6.1.6 or 2.6.2.5) must be submitted in writing to the Chair of the Disciplinary Committee within 10 calendar days of notification of the Dean's decision.
2. The Chair schedules the hearing within 10 days of receiving the request and notifies all relevant parties.
3. Eligible Disciplinary Committee members include College Faculty, Library Faculty, Legal Writing Instructors, and Clinical Faculty. Annually, the Dean appoints 3 faculty, 2 students, and 2 alternates, and designates a Chair.
4. Committee members may recuse themselves from matters; the Dean appoints alternates as needed.
5. Hearings are closed to all but committee members, student(s), faculty/complaining party, and witnesses (only present while testifying).
6. The person requesting the hearing bears the burden of proof. No formal rules of evidence apply, and the committee decides relevance and scope. All information is confidential.
7. The Chair issues a written decision within 10 calendar days of the hearing, sent to the student, faculty/complaining party, Associate Dean, and Dean.
8. The decision of the Disciplinary Committee is final.

Any misconduct not covered by the College of Law's Rule of Professional Conduct (§2.2) but subject to the University Student Code of Conduct should be reported to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The matter may be referred to the University's Office of Student Conduct in accordance with university procedures. Students, faculty, or staff may also report directly to the Office of Student Conduct. Records of investigations and proceedings may become part of a student's official record at both the University and the College of Law.

In addition to the College of Law Rule of Professional Conduct (§2.2) and the NIU Student Code of Conduct (§2.5), students are subject to various other policies and procedures, including:

2.8.1 University and College of Law Nondiscrimination Policy

The College of Law is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, marital or parental status, or veteran status. Questions may be directed to the Ethics and Compliance Office: eco@niu.edu, 815-753-5560.

2.8.2 College of Law Diversity Statement

The College does not discriminate in administration of education, admissions, or placement policies. Career services are only available to employers complying with this policy. Complaints of discrimination during placement will be investigated or referred appropriately.

2.8.3 College of Law Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Equal opportunity policies apply to education, admissions, and placement programs. Complaints of discrimination during placement will be investigated or referred to the proper authority.

2.8.4 University Policies re Human Rights, Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct

Article IX of the NIU Constitution establishes Academic Freedom (§9.1), Equality of Treatment (§9.2), and Due Process (§9.3). Academic and employment decisions based on protected characteristics are considered illegal discrimination. Title IX and the University's Sexual Misconduct Policy prohibit sex discrimination, harassment, and violence. Students must complete annual Title IX training. Questions may be directed to the Ethics and Compliance Office: eco@niu.edu, 815-753-5560.

2.8.5 Other University Policies and Procedures

• Acceptable Use Policy for all University information, computing, and communication resources
• Privacy in the Electronic Environment
• Smoke-Free Campus Policy
• Concealed Carry Policy
• Board of Trustees' Alcoholic Beverage Policy

All community members must promptly report crimes and safety-related incidents to the NIU Department of Police and Public Safety or local police.

Further information and counseling regarding College of Law policies are available through the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the following university offices: the Office of the Ombudsperson, the Student Conduct Office, and the Ethics and Compliance Office. Personal counseling services are available through the Counseling and Consultation Services office. Legal assistance is available through the Students' Legal Assistance office. Resources are also listed on the College of Law Wellness page.

2.9.1 Office of Counseling and Consultation Services

The University's Office of Counseling & Consultation Services (CCS) provides mental health support for currently enrolled students. Walk-in consultation appointments are available. For emergencies outside office hours, an on-call counselor is available.

Phone: 815-753-1206
Campus Life Building 200

2.9.2 Office of the Ombudsperson

Provides confidential, neutral, informal, and independent guidance to help resolve university-related issues or conflicts. Meetings with law students are generally conducted by NIU's Ombudsperson.

Phone: 815-753-1414
Email: ombuds@niu.edu
Holmes Student Center, 6th Floor

2.9.3 Students' Legal Assistance Office

Provides consultation, advocacy, and court representation in landlord-tenant, criminal misdemeanor, traffic, consumer, domestic relations, public benefits, and employment matters. Cannot represent students in disputes with NIU or between students. Maintains legal education programs and attorney referral lists.

Phone: 815-753-1701
Email: studentslegal@niu.edu
Campus Life Building, Room 120

2.9.4 Office of Student Conduct

Coordinates the university student conduct system, providing opportunities to resolve academic, residential, student conduct, and disciplinary conflicts. Offers education, information, and referral services.

Phone: 815-753-1571
Email: judicial@niu.edu
Campus Life Building, Room 280

A minimum of 90 hours of academic credit is required for graduation. At least 65 hours must be in law school courses with regularly scheduled classes. All 90 hours must be completed within no less than 24 months and no more than 84 months. At least 55 hours must be completed at the College of Law. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 (fall 2023 cohort) or 2.2 (all other students) or better. Additional requirements include:

3.1.1 All Students

• Official undergraduate transcript on file with the Office of Budget and Records by October 15 of matriculation year
• 2L Credit Check: meet with the Registrar in early Spring of 2L year
• Statement of Candidacy: meet with the Registrar before final semester registration (Dec grads: last week of July; May grads: October)
• Unencumbered bursar account
• Payment of $75 degree fee

3.1.2 Course Requirements

The following courses must be completed with a passing grade:

• Legal Writing & Advocacy I (Law 500)
• Legal Writing & Advocacy II (Law 701)
• Contracts I (Law 502)
• Contracts II (Law 503)
• Property (Law 505)
• Civil Procedure I (Law 506)
• Civil Procedure II (Law 507)
• Torts (Law 508)
• Legal Methods (Law 513)
• Introduction to Legal Profession I (Law 515)
• Criminal Law (Law 510)
• Basic Legal Research I (Law 511)
• Basic Legal Research II (Law 512)
• Constitutional Law I (Law 550)
• Constitutional Law II (Law 600)
• Introduction to Lawyering Skills (Law 720)
• Professional Responsibility (Law 643)
• Upper-Level Writing Requirement – see §3.18
• An Experiential Learning Project – see §3.15
• Introduction to Legal Profession II (Law 516)

3.1.2.1 GPA-Based Required Courses

Students with a GPA below 2.6 at the end of their first-year spring semester must complete these six courses prior to graduation:

• Business Associations I (Law 640)
• Criminal Procedure: Police Investigations (Law 601)
• Evidence (Law 655)
• Family Law (Law 610)
• Secured Transactions (Law 631)
• Trusts & Estates (Law 620)

Part-time student GPA is determined at the conclusion of the equivalent first year, as decided by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

3.1.2.2 Additional Courses for Students Outside Top 25%

Students not ranked in the top 25% at the end of their second-year spring semester must enroll in:

• Bar Fundamentals Workshop (Law 676) in spring of 3L year for May grads
• Legal Analysis: Skills and Strategies (Law 710) in fall of 3L year for December grads

3.1.3 Electives

Students may take elective courses, including regularly scheduled classes, skills classes, and co-curricular activities. Courses offered vary by year. See §3.2 for limits on counting electives toward graduation.

3.2.1 Required Credits in Regularly Scheduled Classes

At least 65 credit hours must be earned through regularly scheduled class sessions or direct faculty instruction. No more than 25 hours may come from externships, co-curricular activities, or graduate courses in other colleges.

3.2.2 Credit Limits for Interscholastic Competitions and Directed Research

No more than 4 hours for interscholastic competitions or 6 hours for directed research may count toward graduation. See §§3.7, 3.14.

3.2.3 Credit Limits for Non-Law Graduate Courses

No more than 6 hours of graduate courses from other colleges count toward graduation, except:

• Joint J.D./M.B.A.: up to 9 hours of M.B.A. credit may count
• Joint J.D./M.P.A.: up to 12 hours of M.P.A. credit with grade B or better may count

See §§3.9, 3.10.

3.2.4 Credit Limits for Distance Education Courses

No more than 18 hours of distance education (online) courses may count toward graduation, with a maximum of 6 hours from another ABA-accredited law school. Additional restrictions based on GPA and class rank may apply:

• GPA below 2.3 after 1L spring: max 15 online hours unless approved by Associate Dean for Student Affairs
• Top 25% after 2L spring: max 21 online hours with approval of Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
• Maximum 6 credits of online courses per semester; summer sessions treated as one semester

3.2.5 Pre-Matriculation Course Credits

No credit earned prior to law school matriculation, including pre-admission programs, may count toward the J.D. degree.

Full-time students are generally expected to follow the schedule below. Part-time students should see §4.9. All students are encouraged to take courses in bar-exam subjects. Required bar courses for students below a 2.6 GPA are listed in §3.1.2.1, and general bar course recommendations are in §3.4.

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Notes

1. Constitutional Law II (Law 600), Professional Responsibility (Law 643), and Introduction to Lawyering Skills (Law 720) are upper-level requirements. An Experiential Learning Project (clinic or externship) is required for all students matriculating fall 2015 or later. Constitutional Law II must be taken in Fall of 2L year; Introduction to Lawyering Skills must be taken fall or spring of 2L year. See §3.1.2.1 for bar courses for students with GPAs below 2.6.
2. Students without a law review waiver or a directed research project approved for the Upper-Level Writing requirement must take a three-hour seminar during their fourth or fifth semester. See §3.18.

In selecting upper-level electives, some students are required and all students are strongly encouraged to take a substantial number of law school courses covering topics tested on the bar examination. See §3.1. While various post-graduate review courses may enhance bar preparation, it is imprudent to rely too heavily upon these commercial courses to prepare for the bar, particularly for core subjects that are frequently tested and often difficult to learn from a commercial outline.

Illinois currently administers the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which consists of the Multi-State Bar Exam or MBE (200 multiple-choice questions), the Multi-State Essay Examination or MEE (six essay questions) and the Multi-State Performance Exam or MPT (two 90-minute practical problems to answer in writing).

3.4.1 Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) Topics

Topics tested on the Multi-State Bar Examination or MBE (the multiple choice section) are:

• Constitutional Law
• Contracts/Sales
• Criminal Law
• Civil Procedure
• Evidence
• Real Property
• Criminal Procedure
• Torts

Topics tested on the Multi-State Essay Examination or MEE may include all MBE subjects plus the following:

• Agency
• Family Law
• Partnerships
• Conflict of Laws
• Corporations and LLCs
• Secured Transactions
• Decedents' Estates
• Trusts & Future Interests

* The Multi-State Performance Examination or MPT problems are contained in a file and a library given to students as part of the examination, along with written instructions from a "supervising attorney."

3.4.2 Sources of Information

Additional information about the Illinois bar examination, as well as the bar examinations in Indiana and Wisconsin, is available online, as is additional information about the Uniform Bar Examination. For more information about the bar admission process, see Article IX of this handbook.

The Academic Success Program (ASP) demonstrates the College of Law's strong commitment to the success of each of its students. Various aspects of the program are offered during all three years of law school, and some students will be required to participate if objective criteria indicate that they will benefit from additional assistance.

All segments of first-year and upper-level ASP utilize varied pedagogical methods of instruction to facilitate student learning. These methods include, but are not limited to, lectures, written assignments, group discussions, and review and editing of written work by upper-level Graduate Assistants and by other students (peer review).

3.5.1 First-Year Program

The first-year ASP consists, in part, of small-group mentor and study sessions. These sessions are facilitated by second- and third-year students and are offered weekly throughout the first year of law school. The mentor sessions provide students support and guidance on a variety of topics, from issues specific to the range of first-year classes to questions about maintaining an appropriate work/life balance in law school. These sessions also include practice with hypotheticals and other study skills. The study sessions focus on learning skills such as note-taking techniques, case-briefing skills, and exam-writing techniques within the context of a substantive-first-year course.

In addition to the mentor and study sessions, ASP Graduate Assistants offer regularly scheduled weekly office hours open to the entire first-year class. The Legal Writing/ASP professors are also available to discuss students' individual concerns.

Some first-year students will be required to participate in the program's small-group mentor and study sessions throughout their first year of law school and until they complete their first-year courses. These students will be selected during the admissions process and will be notified of this requirement as part of their acceptance to the College of Law. Other students will be invited to participate voluntarily in the ASP mentor and study sessions as space permits. The entire first-year class is encouraged to participate in any other ASP-sponsored informational sessions during the first semester. These sessions offer discussions on topics such as study groups, exam-writing, and class participation.

Students on a full-time schedule who are initially required to participate in the program's small-group mentor and study sessions throughout the first year of law school may opt out of participation during the second semester of the first year if, but only if, their first semester GPAs are 3.00 or above. To opt out of first-year course mentor and study sessions, a student on a part-time schedule must have earned at least 18 credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above. All students with a GPA of 3.00 or above are encouraged to continue voluntarily in the mentor and study sessions even if they qualify to opt out.

Whether or not they were required to participate in ASP during the first semester, all first-year students with cumulative GPAs of 2.3 or lower at the end of the first semester are required to participate in the ASP mentor and study sessions during the spring semester of their first year of law school. These students are also required to participate in an intensive six- to eight-week exam-writing seminar during the same semester. These weekly seminar sessions are administered and taught by the Legal Writing/ASP professors and offer students the opportunity to receive individualized feedback on their responses to hypothetical problems similar to those used during final exams.

3.5.2 Upper-Level ASP

Second-year students with cumulative first-year GPAs between 2.3 and 2.5 and students on academic probation or subject to discretionary enrollment or scholarship conditions that mandate participation are required to participate in the upper-level Academic Success Program, which is designed to furnish additional training by giving students the opportunity to improve fundamentals such as outlining and note-taking skills and by providing individualized feedback on practice exam questions. The upper-level ASP consists of weekly sessions during the first semester of second year and is administered and taught by the Legal Writing/ASP professors.

3.5.3 Third-Year Bar Supplement Programs

Those students who have the ten lowest cumulative GPAs in their class at the end of the spring semester of the second year of law school are required to enroll in the College of Law's Advanced Legal Analysis: Skills and Strategies course (Law 710) during the fall or spring semester of their third year of law school. The remaining slots in this limited enrollment course will be open to all members of the third-year class. If the class is over-subscribed, enrollment preference will be given to students ranked in the bottom half of their class at the end of the spring semester of their second year of law school. See also §3.1.2.2 re the requirement to take the Bar Fundamentals Workshop (Law 676).

Advanced Legal Analysis: Skills and Strategies is designed to help students prepare for the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). See §9.4. The course focuses primarily on improving test-taking skills on the performance (MPT) and essay (MEE) sections of the UBE, with some instruction related to multiple choice questions (MBE). Basic skills such as outlining, memorization, organization, and analysis are reviewed, practiced and assessed. Other skills, including time-management and self-assessment, are also addressed.

3.5.4 Absences and Missed Assignments

Students who are required to participate in any aspect of the Academic Success Program are expected to attend classes and mentor sessions regularly and make a good faith effort to complete all assignments. In the discretion of the instructors and the Dean, sanctions for excessive absences and missed assignments may range from additional required assignments to placement on academic probation to suspension from law school.

The College of Law offers certificate programs in business law, civil advocacy, criminal practice, international law, and public interest law. Certificate program requirements and general guidelines are available online. In cooperation with the Graduate School, the College of Law also offers a Graduate Certificate in Law and Women's and Gender Studies.

Two credits may be earned for participation as a competitor in a co-curricular interscholastic competition that has an extensive writing requirement. One credit may be earned for participation in a co-curricular interscholastic competition without an extensive writing requirement. No more than two credits may be earned for participation in co-curricular competitions in any given semester, and a maximum of four credits for participation in all such activities may be counted toward the 90 credit hours required for graduation. For a student to receive credit for participation in an interscholastic competition, the competition must have a faculty advisor appointed by the Dean, and the student must register for credit. A student may withdraw his or her registration only upon consent of the faculty advisor. Any award of credit must be based on the faculty advisor's evaluation and review of the student's entire work in the competition. These credits will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

With advance approval from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, a student who has earned at least a "C" or comparable grade in a course taken at an "approved law school" as defined by the American Bar Association may receive credit for this work toward the J.D. degree at NIU. Only the credit hours earned (and not the grade) will be transferred and noted on the student's record. Such credit hours must be supported by an official transcript and certification of good standing signed by a dean or other appropriate official of the school from which the credit is transferred. At least 55 hours of the 90 hours required for graduation under §3.1 must be completed at the College of Law.

Before registration for courses at another law school, students should consult with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and furnish all requested information. Students will also need to complete and submit a Petition for Special Consideration (DOCX) to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs describing the courses for which the student intends to register, specifying if any of the courses are online, and stating the number of credit hours to be received for successful completion of each course. If the student is later unable to register for any of the courses listed in the petition, he or she should promptly notify the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and submit a revised or supplemental petition with an updated list of courses for which the student has actually registered, which must be approved by the associate dean. Course credit will not be given more than once for any courses with substantially similar content taken at the College of Law or another law school. Approval of credits from courses at other law schools will not be granted retroactively.

Requests for permission to take graduate courses in other non-law departments at NIU or elsewhere and receive academic credit toward the J.D. degree should be submitted to the Associate Dean. See §3.9.

In appropriate cases, law students may enroll for credit in law-related graduate courses offered by other colleges of the university. Except in the case of an approved joint degree, no more than six credit hours in such courses may be applied toward the 90 hours required for a law degree. Registration in such courses must be approved in advance by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Students not admitted to the Graduate School must obtain permission to register as a student-at-large to take classes there. Credit toward the law degree will be granted only if the student receives a grade of "C" or higher ("B" or higher for the joint J.D./M.P.A. degree), and only the credit hours and not the grade will be transferred and noted on the student's record. Approval of credits from graduate courses in other departments will not be granted retroactively. Information concerning NIU graduate school courses is available online.

The College of Law offers dual degree programs with the College of Business (J.D./M.B.A.) and the Department of Public Administration (J.D./M.P.A.). Graduation requirements to receive the J.D. as part of a dual degree program are identical to those for other J.D. students, with the exception that for dual degree students, 9 credits earned in the M.B.A. program and 12 credits earned in the M.P.A. program may be applied toward the J.D. degree, instead of the usual 6 hours of credit for graduate courses in other colleges of the University. See §3.2.3. Information about applying to a dual degree program and about non-law graduation requirements may be found at the College of Law's J.D./M.B.A. page and J.D./M.P.A. page. In order to receive the benefits of the dual degree program, students must complete the Joint Degree Application Form in advance; credit will not be granted retroactively. Further, students, must submit a Petition for Special Consideration at the beginning of each semester that students seek to apply credit toward the J.D. degree.

Some Northern Illinois University undergraduates may be allowed to matriculate to the College of Law before completing their baccalaureate degree. To be eligible for admission to the College of Law under an Accelerated J.D. program, Northern Illinois University students in specified departments or in the University Honors Program must complete at least 90 credit hours toward the 120 needed for the baccalaureate, must complete all general-education and major-specific requirements, must hold a 3.25 cumulative undergraduate GPA (3.20 for University Honors Program students), and must score above the median LSAT score for the previous year's entering class at the College of Law. Students who are admitted are allowed to apply credits earned during their first year of law school toward their baccalaureate degree. A student who matriculates to the law school under one of these programs but who fails by the end of his or her first year to earn enough credits to complete the baccalaureate degree will be subject to dismissal from the College of Law at the discretion of the Dean. Requirements for earning the J.D. degree are otherwise no different for these students than for those of their cohort. For more particularized information about the programs, which in some instances have somewhat unique admissions criteria, visit the Accelerated J.D. Program page.

Up to 18 hours of distance education courses as defined in ABA Standard 306 (online courses), subject to the exceptions set forth in §3.2.4, whether offered by the College of Law or another ABA-accredited law school, may be counted toward the 90 credit hours required for graduation, except that

• no student may enroll in an online course for credit unless he or she has earned at least 28 credit hours toward the J.D. degree; and
• no more than 6 of the 12 credits may be from a law school other than the College of Law.

Each online course taken at another law school must be approved by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs under the procedures described in §3.8. Online course hours count toward the 65 hours that must be earned through attendance in regularly scheduled classes under §3.2.1.

All awards of academic credit for participation on The Northern Illinois University Law Review must be approved by a faculty advisor to the review. Subject to that condition, students participating on law review are eligible to receive pass/fail academic credit as follows:

• All student members of law review who successfully complete a note of publishable quality, as well as their various editorial responsibilities, during the course of their second year will earn two credits during their second year in law school. Both credits will be awarded at the end of the spring semester of that year.
• In addition to credits earned during the second year, student staff members of law review who successfully complete their various editorial responsibilities during the course of their third year in law school will earn two credits during their third year. One credit will be awarded in the fall semester, and one credit will be awarded in the spring semester of that year. Students who graduate in December will only receive the credit awarded during the fall semester of their third year.
• In addition to credits earned during the second year, members of the editorial board of the law review who successfully complete their various board and editorial responsibilities during the course of their third year will earn three credits during their third year. One credit will be awarded in the fall semester and two credits will be awarded in the spring semester of that year.
• If a student fails to complete their law review obligations, they cannot include law review on their resume.

Students wishing to conduct independent research or pursue special projects may do so by enrolling in a Directed Research course. Each full-time member of the faculty (including tenured and tenure-track faculty, library faculty, clinical faculty, legal writing instructors, and emeritus faculty) may supervise up to three directed research projects at any one time. Other instructors (including visiting and adjunct professors) may supervise directed research projects with the permission of the Associate Dean. Directed research projects may be approved for either two or three credit hours and may be on either a graded or pass/fail basis. In some cases, a directed research project may satisfy the upper-level writing requirement. See § 3.18.3.

A student planning to enroll in Directed Research must submit an application describing the nature of the proposed project, setting forth the number of credit hours sought, indicating whether the project is to be graded or pass/fail, and stating whether credit toward the upper-level writing requirement is requested. Applications are available online under Academic Resources. The directed research form must be approved and signed by the supervising faculty member and then submitted to the Associate Dean for approval. A student is limited to three hours of directed research per semester and a total of six hours of directed research for credit toward the J.D. degree.

As part of its experiential learning program, the College of Law offers students a number of practice experiences through clinical programs, and externships. The clinic courses are taught by College of Law clinical professors who are also experienced practitioners. The externships allow students to gain practical experience under the supervision of a practicing lawyer or judge and with the guidance of a knowledgeable faculty member. The College of Law requires students to take either a clinic or an externship with a classroom component (an Experiential Learning Project) in order to graduate. See §3.1.2. Not all externships and experiential learning opportunities that are available to College of Law students will fulfill the Experiential Learning Project graduation requirement.

3.15.1 Structure of Clinic and Externship Programs

Most externships are for one semester, but a few are for longer periods. Most are offered for four credit hours, and all are graded on a pass/fail basis. A few externships are for more than four credits. Clinic courses are also one-semester courses and are offered for four hours of pass/fail credit. Students may not receive credit for a practice experience that is substantially duplicative of a prior practice experience for which the student has already received credit. A description of current clinic and externship programs is available on the College of Law website.

3.15.2 Prerequisites and Co-Requisites

3.15.3 Rule 711 Certification

Some externship placements and most clinic courses require law students to have certification pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711, which permits certified law students to perform designated legal services under the supervision of a member of the bar of the State of Illinois. To qualify for Rule 711 certification, an NIU law student must be in good standing, have completed 45 credit hours, and file an application for rule 711 certification with the Office of the Dean. For assistance with 711 applications, students should contact the Assistant Dean and Director of Career Opportunities and Professional Development in SP Room 280A1 (ganderson@niu.edu).

3.15.4 Enrollment Procedures and Restrictions

Enrollment in externships is by application and requires the permission of the Director of Externships. Students may not enroll in more than one practice experience (clinic course or externship) in any given semester. Externships may not be approved retroactively, and all applications for approval should be submitted by no later than the first week of a semester. See also §3.2.1.

3.15.5 Student Eligibility Requirements

In general, students are not eligible to participate in clinics or externships until their fourth semester. Some clinic projects do not require a 711 license, in which case the clinical professor may allow participation by students in their third semester who possess a cumulative GPA of at least 2.80. Students who are allowed to participate in a clinic in their third semester will receive academic credit for the course, but the credits will not count toward fulfillment of the Experiential Learning Project graduation requirement.

The College of Law strongly encourages pro bono public legal services. To support students performing voluntary services, various forms of scholarship, stipends, and other grants are available.

3.16.1 Pro Bono Programs

The NIU College of Law pro bono initiative will pair students and mentoring attorneys in nearby counties who are willing to engage in legal work on behalf of persons of limited means or underserved populations, charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, and educational organizations for various purposes, and individuals or groups who wish to secure or protect civil rights. Students may only be paired with, and supervised by, practicing attorneys. They cannot provide direct services to members of the general

public. A list of current pro bono opportunities is available online. Some pro bono programs are available for first-year students, and most are available to second- and third-year students. All students may volunteer for pro bono activity at any time. Forms to express an interest in pro bono work and additional information about pro bono opportunities are available online and from the Pro Bono Coordinator and Clinical Associate Professor, Colleen Boraca (cboraca@niu.edu).

3.16.2 Pro Bono Service Recognition

Students who complete a cumulative 60 hours of approved pro bono service will receive a notation on their transcripts. For purposes of the College of Law Approved Pro Bono Service Recognition, "pro bono service" is defined as legal or law-related work for the benefit of (a) persons of limited means or underserved populations; (b) charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters that are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means or underserved populations; (c) individuals, groups or organizations, or governmental units and agencies seeking to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties or public rights; (d) charitable, religious, civic, or community organizations in matters in furtherance of their organizational purposes; or (e) educational organizations. Participation in activities for improving the law, the legal system or the legal profession also qualifies for recognition. Only voluntary work that is uncompensated and for which academic credit is not received will qualify, but reimbursement of reasonable expenses or receipt of scholarships, stipends, or other grants designated for the support of students performing voluntary services will not be considered compensation.

Every summer, the College of Law, in partnership with the Université de Bordeaux, offers an intensive six week study abroad experience in Agen, France. Students participating in the program take two courses: Civil Law and Civil Lawyers: The French Experience (Law 699A), and The Legal System of the European Union (Law 699B). The courses in the Agen program are taught in English by members of the NIU College of Law faculty and distinguished French law faculty. There also guest lectures from French legal professionals. In addition to the classroom experience, the program includes a series of academic field trips to legal and political institutions, including the École Nationale de la Magistrature (the school where all French judges and prosecutors are trained), the Cour de Cassation and the Conseil d'État (the two French Supreme Courts), the Constitutional Council, the National Assembly, the French Senate, the Agen Préfecture (a peculiarly French governmental institution), and others. These visits reinforce and expand upon the materials discussed in the classroom. Enrollment in the Agen program is limited, and study abroad applications are generally due by February 1 of the spring semester. Students must be in academic good standing to enroll. Also see §6.4 re 1L students with GPAs below 2.5. Additional information about the program is available online, from Prof. Taylor, dtaylor@niu.edu, and from the university's Study Abroad Office (815-753-0700; niuabroad@niu.edu).

All students at the College of Law must satisfy an upper-level writing requirement during their fourth or fifth semester of enrollment at the College of Law, and credit toward that requirement will not be given for students enrolled in a seminar or directed research project in their third semester. Students who will be graduating in December must satisfy this requirement prior to their final semester. The upper-level writing requirement may be satisfied by completing any one of the following:

• a writing seminar meeting the description in §3.18.1
• a note for law review meeting the description in section §3.18.2
• a qualifying directed research project meeting the description in §3.18.3

Advance approval of the Associate Dean is required to enroll in a writing seminar or qualifying directed research project during a student's last semester in law school. Students should be cognizant that an "Incomplete" grade or a grade below "C" for an upper-level writing project taken during the final semester will prevent them from graduating at the same time as their cohort.

3.18.1 Writing Seminars

A student may satisfy the upper-level writing requirement by completion of a three-credit writing seminar with a grade of "C" or better. To qualify as a writing seminar, a course must require submission of one or more written projects that demonstrate a capacity for meaningful legal research and an ability to express such research in written form. Ordinarily, a student will satisfy this requirement by submitting a paper that is written in law review comment form. This requirement may also be satisfied by the submission of a single significant work in other than law review comment form ( e.g., brief, memorandum) or by two or more works ( e.g., problem analyses, opinion letters, short memoranda), provided that the single work or the multiple works, taken together, are substantially equivalent in quality and quantity to a law review comment. The major submission by a student in any writing seminar must involve multiple drafts and significant research and analysis.

Students are not limited to just one writing seminar. Students may take additional writing seminars for law school credit in addition to a writing seminar used to satisfy the upper-level writing requirement, but enrollment preference for any seminar will be given to students who have not already completed the upper-level writing requirement.

3.18.2 Law Review Notes

A student may satisfy the upper-level writing requirement by the successful completion of a note written for the Northern Illinois University Law Review that is deemed publishable by the editorial board of the law review, subject to the review and approval of a law review faculty advisor.

3.18.3 Seminar-Substitute Directed Research Projects

A student may satisfy the upper-level writing requirement by the successful completion of a three-credit directed research project that has been specifically approved for this purpose. To satisfy the upper-level writing requirement, a directed research project must meet all of the following requirements:

• the project must be approved by the Associate Dean and the supervising faculty member, including approval that it be used to satisfy the upper-level writing requirement
• the project must receive a grade of "C" or better
• the supervising faculty member and student must have a minimum of four in-person meetings during the semester
• the normal standards of quality and multiple drafts for seminar papers apply, including that the paper or papers "demonstrate a capacity for meaningful legal research and an ability to express such research in written form" (see §3.18.1)
• each faculty member will ordinarily be limited to supervising one directed research per semester that can satisfy the upper-level writing requirement
• all students and supervising faculty for whom directed research projects are being used to satisfy the upper-level writing requirement in a given semester must meet at an arranged time or times in the last month of the semester for oral presentation of the students' work-in-progress to the other students and the supervising faculty
• use of directed study to satisfy the upper-level writing requirement must typically occur in the fourth or fifth semester during the student's enrollment at the College of Law

Directed research projects may also be undertaken that do not meet the upper-level writing requirement. See §3.14.

Northern Illinois University College of Law utilizes a definition of credit hour that is consistent with federal guidelines and ABA standards. A credit hour is defined as an amount of work that reasonably approximates (1) not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and two hours of out-of-class student work per week for fifteen weeks, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (2) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in subparagraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities – including simulation, field placement, clinical, co-curricular, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours – as determined by the College of Law. For purpose of this definition, fifty minutes suffices for "one hour" of classroom or direct faculty instruction, but sixty minutes is required for "one hour" of out-of-class student work. The fifteen-week period includes one week for courses with a final examination.

Regular and punctual attendance is required in all classes. Faculty members shall impose sanctions on any student or students who are absent for more than 20 percent of the classes in any given course. Such sanctions may include, but are not limited to, grade reductions, exclusion from the final exam with an automatic grade of "F," or voluntary or involuntary withdrawal from the course with a notation of "W." Individual faculty members may impose more rigorous attendance policies ( e.g., students may miss no more than 10 percent of the classes in a course, or students may miss no more than one class in a course) and impose appropriate sanctions for failure to comply, provided notice of the more rigorous requirement is given to the students in the course syllabus at the beginning of the semester. The Office of the Dean shall ensure that the attendance policies are enforced appropriately, and its determination is final.

Although Northern Illinois University, as a public institution, does not observe religious holidays, it is university policy to reasonably accommodate the religious observances of individual students in regard to admissions, class attendance, examination scheduling, and work requirements. Religious observance includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief. Absence from classes or examinations for religious observance does not, however, relieve students from responsibility for any part of course work that is required during the period of absence. To request accommodation, students who expect to miss classes, examinations or other assignments as a consequence of their religious observance should provide instructors with reasonable notice of the date or dates they will be absent. Students who believe they have been denied a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office of the Dean. If the issue is not resolved there, students may proceed to the Office of the Provost. Students may also contact the University Ombudsperson for advice.

Attendance in NIU College of Law classes is normally restricted to enrolled students. Guests (anyone who is not enrolled as a student in a particular class) may attend with permission of the instructor. For guests to attend classes in any courses on a regular basis, permission of both the instructor and the Associate Dean is required. In all circumstances, guests may not be disruptive or negatively affect the learning environment for enrolled students, as determined by the instructor.

The use of any electronic equipment by students during class (including, without limitation, laptops, smart watches, cell phones or smartphones, tablets, and any type of recording equipment) is allowed solely at the discretion of and under the terms set by the instructor. For restrictions on recording, see the College of Law Classroom Recording and Transmission Policy in Appendix E. When the use of laptops is permitted in the classroom, students should be aware of the University's Acceptable Use Policy. See §2.6.1. Furthermore, students are cautioned that any use of electronic equipment in class for non-class purposes can be distracting to others and subject the offending student to sanctions from the instructor and, in appropriate cases, academic discipline from the College and University.

Attendance in NIU College of Law classes is normally restricted to enrolled students. Guests (anyone who is not enrolled as a student in a particular class) may attend with permission of the instructor. For guests to attend classes in any courses on a regular basis, permission of both the instructor and the Associate Dean is required. In all circumstances, guests may not be disruptive or negatively affect the learning environment for enrolled students, as determined by the instructor.

Students register for most courses through the university's MyNIU system. In order to obtain access to registration and other records and forms on MyNIU, students must enter a current university identification number. In the following instances, self-registration is not permitted.

4.2.1 Registration for First-Year Courses

First-year students who are taking a full-time schedule are automatically registered for all required courses by the Registrar upon approval of the Associate Dean and may not enroll themselves. No additional courses may be added, and no courses may be dropped without approval of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Students in their first and second semester who have approval for a part-time schedule will be registered by the Registrar for those first-year courses that have been approved by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Students who have not taken all required first-year courses by the end of their first year at the College of Law will be automatically registered by the Registrar for the remaining required first-year courses during their third and fourth semesters. See §4.9 for course approval and other requirements applicable to students taking a part-time schedule.

4.2.2 Other Special Registration Procedures

Special registration procedures are in effect for some upper-level courses requiring department or instructor consent, including externships, co-curricular competitions, and directed research. For those courses, the faculty member whose consent is required will notify the Registrar of the students permitted to enroll in the course. Upon notification, the Registrar will register the students. Students may not enroll themselves, and any inquiries concerning such registration should be directed to the Registrar, the faculty member involved or the Associate Dean.

4.2.3 Changing Sections

Students are not permitted to change from one section to another in any required courses for which self-registration is not allowed.

Seminars, Introduction to Lawyering Skills, Trial Advocacy and some other courses have limited enrollment. Seating capacity limitations may also restrict enrollment in some courses. Slots in limited enrollment courses are generally filled on a first-come, first-served basis except that third-year students who have not completed a course required for graduation may be given priority. When deemed appropriate by the Associate Dean, registration in limited enrollment classes may be controlled via a balloting system or any other method chosen by the Associate Dean. If no slots are currently available in a course, students can utilize the wait-list function in MyNIU.

Students may add courses until the end of the first week of a semester. After the first week, courses may only be added with the approval of one of the associate deans. Students may drop courses until the end of the second week of a semester without a "W" appearing on their transcript. Students should note, however, that the self-service add/drop function in MyNIU is only available until the end of the first week of each semester. During the second week, a student wishing to drop a course must contact the College of Law Office of the Registrar. After the end of the second week, requests to "drop" courses will be treated as course "withdrawals" under §4.5. The above deadlines are substantially shorter during the summer session.

From the end of the second week of a semester until the student receives a copy of the final exam, or, if there is no final exam, until the last day of scheduled final exams, a student may withdraw from a course only with the approval of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. If a course concludes before the exam period, a student may withdraw from a course before the last day of class or before the last assignment is due, whichever is later. To obtain such approval, students should submit a Petition for Special Consideration (DOCX). Except for withdrawals during the first two weeks of a semester, a "W" (withdrawn) is given for a course from which a student withdraws and is recorded as such on the student's official and unofficial transcript.

Students seeking Juris Doctor degrees may not audit any course offered by the College of Law. Students from other NIU departments may audit a course with the permission of the instructor and Associate Dean.

Non-law students are not normally permitted to enroll in courses offered by the College of Law. In special circumstances, however, the Associate Dean may grant permission for graduate students, including students-at-large in the Graduate School, to enroll in law courses as space permits. Such circumstances may include, without limitation, students pursuing a certificate offered jointly by the College of Law and the Graduate School, students with special interest in a particular course where the student seeking permission to enroll has appropriate background, or where the individual seeking to enroll in a law course already has a J.D. from an accredited law school. Undergraduate students may not enroll in courses offered by the College of Law except pursuant to an approved accelerated degree program.

Normally, law students are expected to adopt a full-time schedule. The definition of a full-time schedule may vary depending on the context. For example, requirements established by the academic program, lending agencies, government regulations, employing entities, and certain insurance policies may establish different definitions of a full-time schedule. For purposes of the College of Law academic program in the fall and spring, a full-time schedule requires a student to take at least 12 credit hours per semester. The normal course load first year is 16 to 16.5 credits per semester. After the first year, the normal course load is about 15 credit hours per semester. In no case may a student enroll in more than 18 credit hours in a semester. Upper-level students with cumulative GPAs lower than 2.4 may not take more than 16 credit hours per semester without permission from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, which is obtained by filing a Petition for Special Consideration (DOCX). Normally the number of credit hours is equal to the number of class hours per week.

A part-time scheduling option is offered by the College of Law on a limited basis as a daytime program to accommodate special circumstances of individual students such as employment and family obligations. In considering whether to adopt a part-time schedule during a term, students should take into account the impact of that decision on eligibility for certain scholarships and some types of financial aid.

4.9.1 Minimum Requirements

First-year students who adopt a part-time schedule must take a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester during the first year after matriculation, and those credit hours must include Legal Methods (Law 513), Basic Legal Research I (Law 511) and Introduction to the Legal Profession I (Law 515) during the fall semester and Legal Writing and Advocacy I (Law 500), Basic Legal Research II (Law 512) and Introduction to the Legal Profession II (Law 516) during the spring semester. Upper-level students must also take a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester except in their final semester of law school.

4.9.2 Approval Procedures

Until they have completed all of their first-year course requirements, students taking fewer than 12 hours during the fall or spring semester must file a Petition for Special Consideration (DOCX) with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and must also have their course selections and schedules approved by the associate dean. Generally, all first-year courses must be completed within the first four semesters after matriculation. After the first-year requirements are fulfilled, students who continue to attend part-time generally do not need to file a petition for approval, but are responsible for ensuring that they have met all upper-level requirements for graduation. Upper-level students are also strongly encouraged to continue to consult with and have an associate dean review their schedule selections prior to registering in MyNIU and should be aware that the terms of scholarships, loans or other financial assistance may require adoption of a full-time schedule.

Courses offered by the College of Law during the summer session are generally taught for six to seven weeks during the first half of the summer, though occasionally courses are also offered during the latter half of the semester. Some externships, directed research projects and online courses may also be available for enrollment in the latter half of the summer. Students may not take more than 7 credit hours at any one time during the summer session and may not take more than a total of 10 credit hours during the entire summer session. These restrictions apply whether courses are taken at the College of Law, in a study abroad program or on a visit to another law school during the summer. All students who register for summer courses, including courses in the study abroad program (see §3.17), must complete and sign a waiver and acknowledgement form designated by the Associate Dean. Failure to comply with this waiver requirement will result in the withdrawal of a student from all summer courses.

Student requests for variances from normal College of Law procedures or policies based on extraordinary circumstances should be submitted to one of the deans by filing a Petition for Special Consideration (DOCX). Supporting documentation for a petition may be required.

A student who fails a required course (i.e., receives a grade of "F" or no pass) is required to retake the course. Both the original failing grade and the grade received after re-taking the course will be of record and will be included in the calculation of the student's cumulative grade point average. The requirement to retake the course and be examined may be waived by a dean. A student who fails the first semester in a continuing course (e.g., Contracts, Civil Procedure, Introduction to the Legal Profession) may not take the second semester of the continuing course until the student successfully retakes the first semester of the course. A student who fails an elective course may retake the course, and both grades will be of record.

4.13.1 Visits In

The College of Law may admit a limited number of visiting students from other law schools. Students who have been approved for visiting status must seek the advice and approval of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs in order to complete registration. All students matriculated in the College of Law, including visiting students, must conform to the Rule of Professional Conduct, Student Code of Conduct and all applicable University and College of Law academic policies and procedures. Visiting students requiring financial assistance should consult the web site of the NIU Student Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. If further information is needed, students should contact the College of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Visiting students who seek a change from visiting to transfer status must meet standards for admission established and administered by the admissions committee and the faculty.

4.13.2 Visits Out

Students enrolled at the College of Law who wish to visit and take courses at other law schools, including during the summer, must obtain permission from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and should submit a Petition for Special Consideration (DOCX). For policies regarding transfer of credits from other law schools, see §3.8. Students who plan to use federal loans to finance courses taken at another law school should discuss the applicable procedures with the NIU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs will act as a student's academic advisor for purposes of filing a Consortium Agreement under those procedures.

For all students admitted to the College of Law, the American Bar Association requires verification of completion of a baccalaureate degree. Unless accepted as part of an accelerated degree program, each applicant must therefore furnish an official transcript directly from the registrar of his or her undergraduate institution by August 1 of the year of matriculation. Post-graduation official transcripts sent to the Law School Admission Council will suffice for this requirement. If the College of Law has not received an official undergraduate transcript by October 15 of a student's year of matriculation, the student will be dismissed from the College of Law. Students who have matriculated pursuant to an accelerated degree program must normally provide their transcripts by October 15 of their second year of study at the College of Law.

A student with a cumulative grade point average of 2.2 or above may withdraw from the College of Law in good standing by notifying the Office of the Dean in person and the College of Law Registrar in writing. A student will be considered registered until written notice of withdrawal is received by the Registrar. In some cases, a student who withdraws may be eligible for a refund under university policy. A student who has withdrawn may apply for readmission only by written request to the Dean's Office. Such request may then be referred to the Admissions Committee or the Academic Standing Committee. A student seeking readmission must satisfy existing admission standards and requirements, and if readmitted, must satisfy the curriculum requirements and academic standing policies existing at the time of readmission. Additional requirements and conditions may also be imposed by the Dean.

A student who elects not to attend the College of Law after being admitted may request a deferral of admission by submitting a request to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Requests for deferral of admission are subject to the approval of the Dean. Once classes begin, a recently admitted student or other student in good standing who desires a leave of absence must submit a written request to the Dean. Approval for deferrals of admission and leaves of absence will normally be granted for a period of not more than one year and may be made subject to conditions, in the discretion of the Dean. Students who exceed the term of a leave of absence may later request permission from the Dean to return to the College of Law, and the Dean may either grant permission to term activate the student and allow him or her to resume studies or may require the student to file a formal application for readmission as a first-year student.

By registering for courses at Northern Illinois University, a student accepts financial responsibility for payment in full of the student account plus (if necessary) any additional costs which may be incurred by the University in the collection of these debts. Late payment fees will be applied to past due amounts. Failure to pay a past due debt may result in the debt being listed with the State Comptroller's Offset Program and (if necessary) referred to a collection agency or other authorized legal debt collection procedures. Under such circumstances, the student is responsible for all fees and costs incurred by the university in the collection of the past due debt, including collection fees and attorneys' fees. For law students, disclosure of unpaid debts may also be required under character and fitness requirements for admission to the bar. All financial obligations to NIU must be paid in full before diploma, official transcript or dean certification will be dispersed.

4.17.1 Charges and Payment Information

Through their MyNIU self-service access, students can view their NIU charges, due dates for these charges, payments, and credits for financial aid at any time. General information about payments (including due dates, payment methods and late payments) is available from the NIU Office of the Bursar. The bursar's office also has a help page online with information about tuition and fees, late payment fees, account statements, refunds and other financial issues.

4.17.2 Financial Aid Information

Information about tuition waivers and other sources of financial aid is available from the College of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid and from the NIU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. For students needing or already receiving financial aid, the NIU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office publishes a statement of Students Rights and Responsibilities and answers questions about unpaid bills and outstanding balances. Debt counseling for students is available from both the College of Law and University financial aid offices.

Under some circumstances, a hold may be placed on a law student's account that prevents future registration for courses and receipt of an official transcript or diploma until the hold is removed.

4.18.1 Bursar's Holds

Under a bursar's financial hold, any student with a past due balance remaining will have a hold placed on his/her records until the account balance is paid-in-full, and late payment fees will continue to accrue on the unpaid balance. Students will be notified by the bursar's office each month if the balance remains unpaid, and students should make an appointment with an account counselor as soon as this letter has been received in order to allow for more options and even the possibility of some financial assistance to resolve the account debt.

4.18.2 College of Law and Other University Holds

The College of Law or the University may also place holds on law student accounts in a number of instances, including without limitation, the following:

• Incomplete admissions requirements (g., failure to supply an official undergraduate transcript)
• Failure to provide proof of immunization to Health Services
• Failure to furnish required forms (g., selective service forms)
• Failure to complete required online Title IX training
• Repeated failure to respond to official correspondence
• Following academic dismissal
• Failure to complete the 2L Credit Check appointment or Statement of Candidacy appointment
• Other material violations of College of Law rules and requirements
• Disciplinary actions by the University or a Student Conduct Board

Students will be notified of the hold, which will not be removed until the infraction has been cured and/or the office requesting the hold has authorized its removal.

To ensure consistency and fairness, all final examinations are generally administered by a member of the College of Law staff, under the direction of the deans. Midterm examinations may be administered by a member of the staff or by the instructor. Students will be given instructions at the beginning of each in-class examination and are also responsible for reading carefully the general instructions of the instructor at the beginning of each examination, whether in-class or take-home. The number of hours for each final examination is normally equivalent to the number of credit hours for the course, but faculty members have the discretion to determine the number of hours allowed for their exams and may require a shorter or longer exam time. The length of midterm examinations varies and is determined by the course instructor. At the conclusion of each in-class final examination, answers and all exam materials will be collected at a table located outside the exam room or in the faculty support office (Room 190). Students will receive instructions for collection of midterm and take-home exams from the instructor or other administrator.

College of Law examinations are conducted on a partial honor system. The examination rules in Appendix B to this handbook will be distributed in advance of the exam period and will be posted at each examination. All students are responsible for reading and complying with those rules, and failure to comply with the examination rules will constitute academic misconduct. Students found to have violated the examination rules or the Rule of Professional Conduct will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the College of Law Procedures Relating to Academic or Other Professional Misconduct by a Student. See §§2.2, 2.6.

Students are permitted to take any essay portion of any final examination on their own laptops using ExamSoft software. Prior to exams each semester, all students enrolled in courses with exams for which laptops may be used will receive an email inviting them to register with ExamSoft. Each student is responsible for registering with ExamSoft by the deadline established by the Associate Dean. The College of Law is not responsible for laptop malfunctions or ExamSoft system failures, and all students should be prepared to write exam answers by hand in the event of any such malfunction or system failure.

All students are normally required to take examinations as scheduled, and midterm or final exams may only be rescheduled under the following circumstances.

5.4.1 Scheduling Conflicts

A student may request a change in exam date if there is a scheduling conflict in which two exams are scheduled on the same day or at least one exam is scheduled on three consecutive calendar days.

5.4.2 Extraordinary Circumstances

Except for a scheduling conflict described in §5.4.1, an exam may not be rescheduled or deferred except for extraordinary circumstances that are beyond the student’s control and that will not recur and then only with the written approval of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Notification of the extraordinary circumstances must be given to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the College of Law registrar as soon as possible, followed by a formal written request for a deferred examination and required supporting documentation. Conflicts involving outside employment or job interviews are not considered extraordinary circumstances.

5.4.3 Rescheduling Procedures

All students requesting approval to reschedule an exam will be required to sign a Petition to Reschedule an Exam, which is available online under Current Student Resources – Forms. Students requesting approval under §5.4.1 should attach a copy of their entire midterm or final exam schedule to the petition. Based on the nature of the scheduling conflict or other circumstances, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs will determine whether to grant approval for rescheduling. Administrative arrangements for taking an approved rescheduled examination must then be made by the student with one of the deans in conjunction with the faculty support office. A rescheduled examination must ordinarily be taken before the close of the relevant exam period and will generally take place after the announced examination date for the course unless the course instructor agrees to an earlier examination date. A fee may be charged for any examination required to be rescheduled after the exam period ends. A student who fails to take an examination when scheduled or rescheduled, and who has not received approval for missing the exam on that date, will receive a failing grade ("F").

Students who believe that reasonable accommodations with respect to course work, examinations or other academic requirements may be appropriate in consideration of a disability should contact the NIU Disability Resource Center (DRC) for an appointment to discuss what accommodations may be appropriate and provide requested verification. Students are encouraged to obtain DRC letters of accommodation as early as possible during the semester and, in any event, must do so in time for appropriate steps to be taken to implement the accommodations. Neither classroom nor examination accommodations will be made by the College of Law without a Letter of Accommodation evidencing the approval of the DRC. Letters of Accommodation should be given to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and not to any instructors.

5.5.1 Classroom Accommodations

The Associate Dean for Student Affairs will notify instructors of any classroom accommodations approved by the DRC, and students are encouraged to meet with their instructors to discuss how the classroom accommodations will be implemented.

5.5.2 Exam Accommodations

For exam accommodations approved by the DRC, students should complete individual exam accommodation forms for each exam to be taken and should deliver them to the faculty support office in Room 190 for completion. To help preserve anonymous grading, students with exam accommodations should not take accommodation forms to individual faculty members or discuss exam accommodations with them. After completion of the forms by the faculty support office, current DRC procedure requires that accommodated students deliver the forms in person to the DRC office.

5.5.3 Questions and Appeal Procedures

Questions about the exam forms or the exam accommodations should be addressed to one of the associate deans or the DRC. The DRC also describes ways to report an accessibility barrier and maintains a list of resources for students in need of accommodations and support. College of Law students who have a disability-related grievance or concern about a College of Law faculty or staff member may wish to contact their DRC Access Consultant for assistance in resolving the problem. If the grievance is academically related, the students may also contact one of the deans for assistance.

Most final examinations in the College of Law are graded anonymously. Students are given and are required to use exam numbers for each blind-graded exam. Final exam numbers are assigned randomly by MyNIU; midterm exam numbers are created and distributed by the Associate Dean. Instructors assign exam grades to the respective exam numbers without having access to the names of the students and report the anonymous exam grades to the Office of Budget and Records. Some final course grades may be based on factors in addition to, or instead of, anonymously graded final exams. For example, course grades may take into account factors such as attendance, class participation, written papers, or other assignments. In some courses, such as seminars, grades may be based entirely on written papers. If a course has a final examination and other factors are also included in determination of the course grade, the instructor may, after turning in blind-graded exam grades to the Office of Budget and Records, receive a list of names and matching exam numbers to permit inclusion of the other factors. In determining a final course grade, instructors may not alter the exam grade by more than one step (e.g., C+ to B-) without approval of the Associate Dean. If it becomes necessary to reschedule an examination after the close of the relevant examination period (see §5.4), anonymous grading may not be feasible and is not guaranteed.

A student's performance in a course is usually expressed in terms of the following letter grades, with the following numerical equivalents used for computation purposes: A (4.00); A- (3.67); B+ (3.33); B (3.00); B- (2.67); C+ (2.33); C (2.00); C- (1.67); D+ (1.33); D (1.00); F (0.00).

The grade "I" (Incomplete) may be given to a student who is able to show good cause for failing to complete a required writing assignment, when this assignment is the principal grade determinant in a course. Such grades will be assigned only with the written approval of the instructor and the Associate Dean. The "I" grade is only an interim mark. The required writing assignment must be submitted by the end of the next semester or summer session. If it is not so submitted, the result will be a failing grade (F) in the course. A pass/fail (P/F) grading system may be adopted for certain courses as determined by the faculty. A grade of "pass" does not affect, but a failing grade does affect, a student's cumulative grade point average.

Grade point averages (GPA) are calculated and provided by the University and are carried out to three decimal places. GPAs will not otherwise be rounded up or down for any purpose.

In all first-year courses with more than 30 students, the mean grade shall be between 2.8 and 3.0 inclusive. The Associate Dean may grant individual exceptions to this requirement upon a satisfactory showing by the instructor that student performance in a particular class deviated significantly from the norm. It is strongly suggested that a minimum 10% of grades in all such first-year courses shall be A- or above, and that a minimum of 10% of all grades in all such first-year courses shall be C or below. In all upper-level courses, it is strongly suggested that the mean grade shall be between 2.8 and 3.2 inclusive. In addition, it is strongly suggested that a minimum of 15% of the grades in all such upper-level course shall be A- or above, and a minimum of 25% of the grades shall be B+ or above. The College of Law Registrar will confirm that all first-year courses with more than 30 students comply with the requisite mean grade before grades for first-year courses are posted.

Students are notified of their grades in MyNIU. Fall semester grades for first-year courses are normally due approximately one week before the beginning of spring semester classes. Fall semester grades for upper division courses are due before the beginning of spring semester classes. Spring semester grades for first- and second-year students are normally due approximately three weeks after the end of exam period. Grades for graduating students are due before graduation.

Grades are not subject to review or appeal. Grades are final as submitted to the Office of Budget and Records, except for computational recording errors. As a learning experience, students should be provided with a reasonable opportunity to review an examination or written assignment with the instructor, upon request by the student.

To be in academic good standing, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.3 for students matriculating in fall 2023 and 2.2 for students matriculating in fall 2022 or before on a 4.00 scale, computed at the end of each academic year. In addition, a student must

• achieve a GPA of at least 1.9 by the end of the first semester of first year; and
• achieve a GPA of at least 2.3 by the end of the student's second year (calculated on the basis of third and fourth semester grades only)

Any student whose cumulative GPA at the end of any academic year is below 2.3 (This applies to students who enroll in the Fall of 2023. Any student who enrolled before then must have a cumulative GPA of 2.2) or whose GPA does not meet the additional 2.3 GPA requirement in the second year will be dismissed for academic deficiency, unless the student petitions for and is granted reinstatement. Any student whose GPA does not meet the minimum GPA requirement for the first semester of first year will be dismissed for academic deficiency and will not be eligible for reinstatement.

A student whose cumulative GPA at the end of any academic year is below 2.3 or whose GPA does not meet the additional 2.3 GPA requirement in the second year may seek reinstatement by written petition to the Dean and the Academic Standing Committee. Students who are reinstated are permitted to continue with their studies without repeating courses in which they received passing grades. Students who are not reinstated must be readmitted to the College of Law to continue with their law studies and must begin first year over. A student seeking readmission must satisfy admission standards and requirements existing at the time of readmission, as well as ABA Standard 501(c) (PDF). If readmitted, a student must also thereafter satisfy the curriculum requirements and academic standing policies existing at the time of readmission. Both the original grades from a student's first attempt at law school and the grades received after readmission will be of record, but the original grades will not be included in the calculation of the student's cumulative GPA at the College of Law (but may be included in the calculation of cumulative GPA for financial aid purposes). Late petitions will not be accepted, except under extenuating circumstances that are beyond the student's control.

6.2.1 Criteria for Reinstatement First Year

For students who fail to meet the 2.3 cumulative GPA requirement, the Academic Standing Committee will recommend to the Dean that petitions for reinstatement be granted only if it finds that (1) there were material events or circumstances of an unusual nature, beyond the student's control, that significantly affected his or her ability to perform; or, for students who have completed only one year, that there has been a significant improvement in academic performance during the second semester, and (2) there is a likelihood that the student will be able to raise his or her cumulative GPA to 2.3 by the end of the academic year of reinstatement and to maintain this standard for the remainder of his or her academic career.

6.2.2 Criteria for Reinstatement Second Year

For students who meet the cumulative GPA requirements but who fail to meet the additional 2.3 GPA requirement in the second year, the Academic Standing Committee will recommend to the Dean that petitions for reinstatement be granted only if it finds that (1) there were material events or circumstances of an unusual nature, beyond the student's control, that significantly affected his or her ability to perform during the second year; and (2) there is a likelihood that the student will be able to achieve a GPA of at least 2.2 in the semester following reinstatement and to maintain this standard for the remainder of his or her academic career.

6.2.3 Additional Criteria

In determining whether to recommend reinstatement, the Academic Standing Committee may take into consideration how close the petitioning student's GPA is to the required minimums, whether the student is consistently performing at or below a C+ level or has shown the ability to do B- or better work in at least a few courses, whether the student has taken clear affirmative steps to improve performance, and such other factors as the committee deems appropriate in its discretion. If a student petitioning for reinstatement was required to participate in the Academic Success Program (ASP), the student's attendance record and level of participation in that program may be considered by the Academic Standing Committee in making recommendations. This includes, but is not limited to, the degree of participation in weekly tutorials, the exam-writing seminar, and any other required activities that are applicable to the petitioning student. Failure to meet the requirements of the program may be considered negatively in evaluating petitions for readmission.

6.2.4 Final Determination

Reinstatement is not a right. The Dean will consider the recommendations of the Academic Standing Committee, but the final determination whether to reinstate a student will be made in the discretion of, and subject to conditions imposed by, the Dean. No student may be reinstated more than once.

6.2.5 Readmission Conditions

A student who is dismissed for academic deficiency and is not reinstated must reapply for and be granted admission to the College of Law and must wait at least one year before beginning law school classes again. In some instances, petitions for reinstatement will, in the discretion of the dean, be treated as applications for immediate readmission and waiver of the one-year waiting period. All students applying for readmission after academic dismissal must meet ABA Accreditation Standard 501(c). A student who is readmitted after a dismissal and again fails to meet the requirements for academic good standing or violates the terms of probation will not be eligible for either reinstatement or readmission.

Academic good standing and academic probation are related but not co-extensive. The following students will be on academic probation, regardless of whether they are currently in academic good standing.

6.3.1 Criteria for Academic Probation

Any student granted reinstatement upon dismissal after the first or second year will be placed on academic probation for a minimum of one year. In addition, any student

• whose GPA at the end of the first semester of the first year is at or above 1.9 but below 2.3,
• whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.3 at the end of the third semester,
• whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.3 at the end of the fifth semester, or
• in the case of part-time students, whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.3 at the end of any fall semester following the first two years of law school will be placed on academic probation for the remainder of the relevant academic year.

6.3.2 Probation Conditions

While on academic probation, a student

• must obtain approval of course loads and class schedules from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs;
• may not hold office in any College of Law organization without the permission of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs;
• may not participate in any internal or external competitions without the approval of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs;
• must obtain permission from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs to be employed;
• must participate in the Academic Success Program;
• must participate in the Exam Writing course;
• must comply with all other terms and conditions set forth in the Dean's letter granting reinstatement (where applicable); and
• must comply with any other terms or conditions deemed appropriate by the Dean or the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Summer school, including summer study abroad, normally starts before all grades from the spring semester are available. Consequently, it is possible for a student to fall below the required cumulative GPA of 2.3 as of the end of the spring semester but not be aware of this fact at the time summer school begins. If a student enrolls in summer school and is subsequently academically dismissed for failure to have the required 2.3 cumulative GPA as of the end of any academic year and is not granted reinstatement, the grading basis for the summer course(s) will be changed, and the student will receive only a grade of pass or fail. If the student is readmitted to begin first year over, the credits received during the summer will not count toward the 90 credits required for graduation. If a student is reinstated, the grade will be entered as a letter grade in accordance with regular practice. Students on academic probation must have the approval of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs to enroll in summer school. At the time of registration for summer school, all students will be required to sign a Disclosure, Acknowledgement and Waiver form as a condition to enrollment.

Readmitted students who receive federal financial loans may encounter issues under the requirements for "satisfactory academic progress" and should contact the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the NIU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office for assistance. Reinstated and readmitted students should also note the requirement for academic good standing under the terms of many scholarships.

Law student records are kept in electronic form by the College of Law Registrar. The College of Law maintains individual student files with all original application documents and any relevant academic and disciplinary information generated during a student's enrollment in the College of Law.

Each student must keep his or her current residence address and telephone number on file in the College of Law Registrar and promptly notify that office of any changes. Emergency contact information, as well as current work address and telephone numbers, should also be provided so that immediate contact with the student, whenever necessary, may be made by the law school administration. Students should also notify the NIU Registration and Records of any name, address or phone number changes so their information can be updated on the NIU phonebook directory. Students may change their addresses online using MyNIU. The requirements of adequate notice are considered met if an official communication is mailed to the student at the address on file with the Registrar or if the communication is sent by email to the student's NIU Z-email address, regardless of whether a student has opened or read the mail or email.

Official student transcripts are maintained by and are available from the NIU Registration and Records for a fee. Students requesting an official transcript should file a transcript request form with that office. Processing generally takes from two to three business days. Current students may print unofficial transcripts from their MyNIU accounts. Students may also request a letter of good standing from the Registrar or one of the deans. Students making such a request must furnish the name and mailing address of each recipient of the letter, as well as any other information requested.

Students who attain a grade point average of 3.00 or above for a semester's work (minimum 9 hours of graded courses) will be placed on the Dean's List for that semester.

For purposes other than registration and class rank, the following schedule of hours earned is used to determine class level:

First Year: 00 - 32.99 hours

Second Year: 33 - 59.99 hours

Third Year: 60+ hours

Class ranks are calculated by using a student's cumulative grade point average (GPA) on MyNIU, which is carried out to three decimal places. See §5.7. Class ranks are calculated at the end of students' first year of law school and at the end of each fall and spring semester thereafter until they graduate. Class ranks are not published, but students may be advised of their own class rank by contacting the Director of Career Opportunities and Professional Development. The name of the student with the highest GPA in the graduating class is announced at graduation.

7.6.1 Criteria for Inclusion in Classes Being Ranked

For purposes of calculating class rank, students are included with the first-year class until they have completed at least 33 hours. For class rankings at the end of any fall semester, students are ranked with the third-year class only if they are registered for enough spring semester hours to graduate at the end of the spring semester. For class rankings at the end of any spring semester, students are ranked with the graduating third-year class only if they actually graduate (or have graduated the prior August or December). All students who have completed at least 33 hours but who do not qualify to be ranked with the third-year class are ranked with the second-year class.

7.6.2 Ranking Students with Part-Time Schedules

At the end of the first academic year after matriculation, students with part-time schedules will be ranked with the first-year class of which they were a part. Beginning with the end of their third semester, such students will be ranked as part of the second-year class until they qualify to be ranked with the third-year class. When class ranks are computed following the end of any fall semester, students with part-time schedules will qualify to be ranked with the third-year class if, and only if, they are enrolled (as of the date the rankings are computed) for enough credits in the spring semester to graduate at the end of the spring semester. When class ranks are computed following the end of any spring semester, students with part-time schedules will be ranked with the graduating third-year class if, and only if, they are graduating with the third-year class at that time.

7.6.3 Ranking Transfer Students

Transfer students will be given class rank equivalent to the rank they would hold in the class with which they will graduate, which will be added to the same rank otherwise given to a non-transfer student so as not to change the class rank of any non-transfer student. Thus, whatever rank a transfer student holds, there will be a non-transfer student in the same class with the same class rank.

University policy requires that student assessments of teaching effectiveness be completed for each course, including those taught by adjunct professors. The goal of the University is to recognize effective teaching as an important criterion in evaluation of faculty members for matters of salary, promotion, and tenure. The evaluations will be distributed to the Dean and Associate Dean, as well as to the faculty member being evaluated, after the semester has ended and grades have been submitted. Records of evaluations will be maintained in the Office of the Dean.

Students may make informal complaints about any matter relating to the College of Law to the administration by communication to the Dean, the Associate Dean, or the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The administration will attempt to resolve such complaints informally. Good faith allegations of unfair treatment by faculty or staff that adversely affect the status, rights, or privileges of a student in a substantive way may be brought under the NIU Grievance Procedures for Students.

Pursuant to ABA Standard 510 (PDF), any student at the College of Law may bring a formal complaint to the administration of the College of Law "of a significant problem that directly implicates the school's program of legal education and its compliance with the ABA Standards."

7.9.1 Procedures for Filing

A student wishing to bring an ABA policy-based complaint shall do all of the following:

• Submit the complaint in writing in hard copy to the Dean's office (SP Room 270) on a form available from the Dean's office and on the College of Law website.
• Describe in detail the substance of the complaint and explain how the matter implicates the law school's program of legal education and compliance with specific ABA Standard(s).
• Provide the name, official College of Law email address, and street address of the complaining student for further communication about the complaint if appropriate.

7.9.2 Procedures upon Receipt

When the Dean's office receives an ABA policy-based complaint, the following procedures will be followed:

• The Dean's office will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within five business days by email to the student's official College of Law Z-email address.
• Within a reasonable time after acknowledgment of the complaint, the Dean's office will either meet or correspond with the complaining student, providing a written response to the substance of the complaint or informing the student that further investigation is needed. If further investigation is necessary, the Dean's office will complete the investigation within a reasonable time and provide a written response to the substance of the complaint. Any written response from the Dean's office to the student may be by email to the student's official College of Law Z-email address.
• If the Dean's office provides the student with a written response to the complaint from an associate dean, an appeal may be taken to the dean of the College of Law; any decision made by the dean, either as an original response to the complaint or as an appeal from a decision of an associate dean, shall be final.
• The Dean's office shall maintain an organized record of all student complaints submitted for ten years. The record shall include the resolution of the complaints.

Information and data concerning individual students are collected, maintained, and used by the College of Law and Northern Illinois University only as needed in relation to those institutions' basic educational purposes and requirements. Relevant policy and procedures are designed and operated to be in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). The official university procedures and a directory of educational records maintained by the University are available for review in the Office of Registration and Records. All questions about interpretations or clarifications involving university policy and procedures are to be directed to the NIU Office of General Counsel.

7.10.1 Types of Records

There are four basic types of student records at NIU: academic, financial, medical, and placement, in addition to certain specialized records.

7.10.1.1

A student's official academic record is established and kept current by the Office of Registration and Records. It is a cumulative history of the student's enrollment and educational participation and performance. Maintained in connection with the academic record is certain biographical and personal identification information as needed for enrollment purposes. In addition to certain elements of this record, the College of Law maintains a law student's law school admissions record and a record of progress toward meeting graduation requirements. Part or all of this student data is provided by the NIU Office of Registration and Records and the College of Law as needed to the university's academic offices, colleges, schools, and departments for academic administration and advisement, and to other university administrative units as necessary for the functioning of various student and support services.

7.10.1.2

Student financial records are the responsibility of the NIU Office of the Bursar, with respect to the billing, payment, and accounting of tuition and fees, and the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office for operation of the University's student financial assistance program. The Bursar keeps a complete record of student financial transactions relative to the payment of the university charges that are accrued. Within the Student Financial Aid Office, the student file contains all necessary information regarding scholarships, grants, loans, and employment that are part of the student's financial assistance program, including institutional, organizational, and federal and state sources.

7.10.1.3

For those students who require medical assistance and care from NIU Health Services, a medical history record is created at the time of their first contact with Health Services and is maintained by the Health Service staff. Only information pertinent to the health of the individual is included therein. Health Services medical records will be destroyed ten years after the last date medical services were provided.

7.10.1.4

For those persons who wish to avail themselves of its services, the NIU Office of Career Opportunities, with the student's voluntary participation, creates and distributes to potential employers a copy of a file that consists of a self-completed résumé and various personal references. Similarly, the College of Law Office of Career Opportunities and Professional Development maintains résumés and other records furnished by students on a voluntary basis.

7.10.1.5

Certain records within the university community are exempt from FERPA, including records of instructional, supervisory, and administrative personnel that are the possession only of the maker and are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a substitute; files within the NIU Department of Public Safety (University Police); and medical records used in connection with the provision of treatment for a student. Access to these records is strictly limited to the university staff immediately involved with their creation and maintenance, with certain exceptions.

Note: The University also is not required to make available to students the financial records of their parents or confidential letters and statements of recommendation which were placed in students' files prior to January 1, 1975, if such are used only for the purpose specifically intended.

7.10.2 Restrictions on Release

Access to or release of each of the above types of records or their respective parts, or of any personally identifiable information, with the previous exceptions noted, is restricted to the following: the student or former student; parents of a legally defined dependent student (reference § 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954); university officials who have a legitimate university-related educational or administrative interest and need to review an education record in order to fulfill their professional responsibilities; certain specified state and federal representatives, primarily as concerns the evaluation and auditing of government-funded programs in which the university participates; officials of other colleges, universities, or schools in which the student intends to enroll, provided the student is informed of this type of request in advance of the information being released; individuals, agencies, and organizations in connection with the student's application for or receipt of financial aid; state and local officials as directed by State Statute adopted prior to November 19, 1974; with certain restrictions, organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, educational agencies or institutions for the purpose of developing, validating, or administering predictive tests, administering student aid programs and improving instruction; accrediting organizations; and appropriate persons in connection with an emergency, if knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of a student or other person. Additional information regarding government officials and others with access to educational records is available on the website of the Family Policy and Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education.

7.10.2.1

A university official for the purposes of §7.10 is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks). In all other instances, access or release may be granted only with the written authorization of the student.

7.10.2.2

In cases where records are to be furnished in compliance with a judicial order or pursuant to a lawfully issued subpoena, the University shall make a reasonable attempt to notify students prior to release of the records. Such attempts at notice will normally be by personal service or first-class mail to a student's last known address.

7.10.3 Right to Review

Students have the right to review personally their records in the presence of a university representative at an appropriate or convenient campus location. This right pertains separately to each status to which the student has been in attendance at the University (i.e., undergraduate, student-at-large, law, graduate). The student should submit a written request to the appropriate university office identifying the record(s) he or she wishes to inspect. The university office will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected within 45 days following receipt of such request. Where necessary, interpretation of the record shall be provided by qualified university personnel. Original records cannot be removed from university premises. A copy may be provided where failure to provide such copy would effectively prevent a student from exercising the right to inspect and review the educational records. While a charge may be made to cover costs of reproduction, in most instances this is not done. Depending upon the number of copies requested, however, normal operational fees exist with respect to record reproduction within the Office of Career Opportunities and the Office of Registration and Records.

7.10.4 Right to Challenge

Students have the right to challenge the content of a record on the grounds that it is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy or other rights, and to have inserted in the record their written explanation of its contents. To initiate such a challenge, students must, within 60 days after they have inspected and reviewed the record in question for the first time, file with the university office responsible for maintaining such records a written request for a hearing, in a form specified by the university. Within 30 days following receipt of such request, the head of such office, or a designated representative, shall review the record in question with the student and either order the correction or amendment of such alleged inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate portions of the record as specified in the request or notify the student of the right to a hearing at which the student and other persons directly involved in the establishment of the record shall have an opportunity to present evidence to support or refute the contention that the portions of the record specified in the request are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate. The student shall be given written notice of the time and place of such hearing no fewer than 10 working days in advance. The hearing will be conducted by a university representative who does not have a direct interest in the outcome. The student shall have the right to attend the hearing, to be represented and advised by other persons, and to call witnesses on his or her behalf. The student shall be notified in writing of the decision within 10 working days following the hearing or within 10 working days of a decision without a hearing. Such decision is final. College of Law notices under this section will normally be by email to the student's official Z-email address.

7.10.5 FERPA Waivers

Students may waive their right of access to confidential statements submitted with respect to their application for admission to the College of Law or another educational institution, an application for employment or receipt of an honor or recognition. However, they cannot be required to do so. Further, a student who does waive right of access will be provided, upon request, with the names of all persons making confidential recommendations. FERPA authorization forms for the release of non-directory information are available on the website of the NIU Office of General Counsel.

7.10.6 Directory Information

Directory information pertaining to students, as defined below, may be released by the University at any time provided that it publishes this definition at least once each academic year in the campus student newspaper, and students are given a reasonable period of time to inform the University that they do not wish such information to be released without their prior consent. Such information is never knowingly provided to any requester for a commercial purpose. The following items are considered directory information: a student's name, address, telephone listing(s), date and place of birth, email address (Z-ID@students.niu.edu, alias address or other), electronic or photographic picture or image, major field of study, classification, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, full or part time status, degrees and awards received and most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student. Law students should consult the University's notice to all students regarding the procedures for restricting or granting shared access to directory information.

7.10.7 FERPA Complaints

Students who believe that their privacy rights under FERPA have been violated have the right to file a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-8520.

Graduates shall be granted the Juris Doctor degree with honors as determined by their cumulative grade point average at the end of their final year in law school:

Summa Cum Laude: 3.700 cumulative GPA and above

Magna Cum Laude: 3.350 to 3.699 cumulative GPA

Cum Laude: 3.000 to 3.349 cumulative GPA

As standard policy, a Dean's Certificate is created by the Student Services Office for each student in the College of Law graduating class and, following signature by a dean, is filed with the Illinois Board of Admissions (regardless of whether a student currently intends to apply for admission to the Illinois bar). The dean's certificates are normally submitted for each student in January for December graduates and in early June for May graduates, after confirmation that all graduation requirements for the student have been met. Students applying for admission to the bar in other states are responsible for furnishing the Student Services Office in a timely manner with comparable forms requiring certification by a dean.

Normally, all students who graduate in December or May of their third year of law studies are invited to participate in May graduation ceremonies for their class. Students who will have completed five or more semesters and at least 75 credit hours by the end of the spring semester may file with the Dean's Office a Petition for Special Consideration (DOCX) for permission to participate in graduation with the class with which they matriculated even though they will not qualify for or receive a degree at that time. Such petitions must be filed by the date on which Statement of Candidacy forms are due for graduates. Alternatively, such students may participate in graduation ceremonies during the academic year in which they actually earn their J.D. degree. Students may participate in graduation ceremonies only once.

Graduation regalia will be furnished by the College of Law. Students who receive honors awarded by NIU Law based on their grade point average (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Cum Laude) will be listed in the Commencement program and may wear an approved gold cord during Commencement ceremonies. NIU Law will purchase and provide the honor cords to eligible students, and the cords may be retained by the student honorees at their option.

8.4.1 Additional Cords and Accompaniments to Regalia

Other honor cords and accompaniments to regalia are limited to the following.

• Students who wish to represent their racial or ethnic background or participation in a Study Abroad program may wear the appropriate stoles or sashes during the Commencement ceremony, furnished by them at their own expense.
• Students who are veterans may wear appropriate cords during the Commencement ceremony, furnished by them at their own expense.
• Students who are members of recognized NIU Law student organizations during their studies at NIU Law may choose to wear up to two approved cords representing those organizations during the Commencement ceremony. The College of Law will bear the cost of the Law Review cords. Payment for other student organization cords will be the responsibility of the individual student organizations or the Student Bar Association.

8.4.2 Limits per Student

No more than two student organization cords, one honor cord, one stole/sash and one veterans cord may be worn by any graduating student during the Commencement ceremony.

To qualify for the wearing of student cords at Commencement, graduating students must belong to a student organization that is officially recognized by NIU Law.

8.5.1 Approved Colors and Changes in Colors

A full list of organizations that are currently recognized will be posted on the NIU Law web site, along with the approved colors of the organizations' respective cords. Generally, student organizations will maintain the same cord color from year-to-year. If changes in vendors, budget restrictions, cancellation of particular colors or other factors necessitate changes, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs will meet with representatives of the SBA and the affected student organizations to arrange an equitable means of reallocating cord colors. A student organization may also request a change in its cord color on its own initiative as long as no other active or recently inactive organization is using the requested new color. Gold is reserved for the honors cords, and Kelly Green is reserved for law review.

8.5.2 New and Inactive Student Organizations

A newly recognized student organization may select a cord color, provided that the color is not the same as any color currently used by a recognized organization and provided that the selection is reported to and approved by the Student Bar Association not later than 90 days prior to the first Commencement at which the cords are to be worn. A recognized student organization will retain priority for its respective cord color for a period of one academic year following the academic year in which it becomes inactive. If the organization does not reactivate after one academic year, it loses the priority for the cord color allocated to it. If and when the inactive organization becomes active again, it must select a new color in accordance with the above procedures. All new color selections will be reviewed and approved on a first-come, first-served basis, and all cord colors are subject to change depending on availability and cost.

8.5.3 Role of SBA and Student Organizations

Each student organization will establish its own requirements for determining which students qualify as members entitled to wear that organization's cords and whether students must return the cords to the organization or may retain them. The student organizations and the SBA will be responsible for the distribution of the cords to students prior to or at Commencement and for the collection of the cords after the Commencement ceremony (if students are not permitted to retain the cords).

Each state sets its own requirements for admission to the bar in that state. All law students are advised to contact the state bar in the state in which they intend to practice for further information. In addition to a bar examination, there are very important character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine these requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the character and fitness tab on the web page for the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Because most College of Law graduates apply for admission to the Illinois bar, the information in the remainder of this section of the Handbook applies to that application process unless otherwise indicated.

Most states, like Illinois, test academic qualifications and professional responsibility separately. To test professional responsibility, most states, including Illinois, require applicants to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), a two-hour, 60-question multiple choice exam. The MPRE is given three times a year, usually in March, August, and November. Each state has different passing scores and its own requirements as to when to take the MPRE. Failure to take the MPRE at the appropriate time can have dramatic consequences for a student's bar admission in some states (including having to retake the exam). The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar requires a MPRE score of 80 or more to pass. An applicant need not take the MPRE before taking the Illinois bar exam testing academic qualifications, but must have done so and obtained a passing score before he or she can be recommended for admission to the bar. Most College of Law students take the MPRE before graduation.

Students who wish to file an application with the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar (IBAB) for admission to the Illinois bar must first create a personal IBAB registration account on the IBAB website. Because Illinois gives the Uniform Bar Examination, applicants must also obtain a NCBE (National Conference for Bar Examiners) number by registering on the NCBE webpage at ncbex.org. In anticipation of graduation from law school, students will then typically seek to apply for admission to the Illinois bar through the testing process and will file an application to take the Illinois bar examination. A separate admissions process is available to licensed attorneys from other jurisdictions under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 705.

The Illinois bar examination that tests academic qualifications is administered by the Illinois Board of Admissions twice a year on the last consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday in February and July at various venues in Chicago. For the February and July exams, the regular filing deadlines for first-time applicants to the bar are typically in mid-September and mid-February, respectively. Late filings are permitted upon payment of significantly escalating fees through mid-December for the February exam and mid-May for the July exam. IBAB will not consider requests to file beyond the final deadline for any reason. Application forms are specific to particular exam dates. For example, an application for the February bar exam may not be used to apply for the July bar exam. Law students should therefore check carefully to determine when registration for a particular exam opens and be sure to complete the appropriate application forms, which are available online from IBAB.

9.3.1 Nonstandard Testing and Administrative Accommodations

Qualified applicants for admission to the Illinois bar may seek nonstandard testing accommodations (NTA) on the basis of a disability by filing properly completed NTA request forms. Administrative accommodations for applicants for certain health-related issues may also be available. Information concerning nonstandard testing and administrative accommodations is available online from IBAB.

9.3.2 Character and Fitness Disclosures

The Illinois bar application contains extensive questions relating to the character and fitness of applicants for admission. As part of the admissions process, IBAB file processors and investigators will compare answers to character and fitness questions on the Illinois bar application with student disclosures made on law school admissions applications and during law school. If there are discrepancies, the applicant will be asked to notify the College of Law and explain the discrepancies. The resulting process of clarifying the record can be time-consuming and may cause delays in the processing (and, potentially, the approval) of a bar application. Therefore, students should promptly notify the Associate Dean for Student Affairs as soon as problems with disclosures are identified, so that additional or corrective disclosures can be placed in a student's official law school file. See §2.4.

9.3.3 Felony Convictions and Other Pre-Certification Issues

Graduating law students who have been convicted of a felony (regardless of when it occurred and whether it has been expunged) or against whom there are pending indictments, criminal information, or criminal complaints charging felonies must receive a certification of good moral character and general fitness to practice law by the Committee on Character and Fitness before they will be permitted to take the Illinois bar examination. See Illinois Supreme Court Rule 704(b). Students with such prior or pending criminal matters should file their applications for admission with IBAB promptly after registration opens in order to allow adequate time for the certification process. Students with questions or concerns about disclosing criminal matters or other issues should contact an attorney for advice.

As of July 2019, Illinois administers the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) prepared by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). The UBE is a two-day, twelve-hour test given in July and in February of each year. On the first day of the examination, applicants complete six half-hour essay questions from the Multistate Essay Examination (MEE) and two 90-minute Multistate Performance Tests (MPT), which assess practical skills. On the second day of the examination, applicants sit for the 200-question Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). The UBE is given nationally on the same day for all states using this three-component exam. The current cut score to pass the UBE in Illinois is 266 points. See §3.4 for guidance on taking courses that facilitate preparation for the bar examination.

Results of the Illinois bar examination are generally distributed during the first two weeks in October for the July examination and during the first two weeks in April for the February examination. For a fee, graduates who do not pass will be sent electronic copies of their essay and performance exam answers, along with sample passing answers to the same questions. Graduates who do not pass are encouraged to request the assistance of a faculty member to review the examination results and assess how best to improve those results when re-taking the examination.

The College of Law receives notice of which graduates have passed or failed the examination but does not receive information about exam scores except in the case of graduates who failed the Illinois bar and consented to share the results with the law school. To assist the College of Law in improving its bar support programs, all students are urged to grant that consent each time they take the bar examination.

Admission ceremonies in Illinois are usually held the first Thursday in November. Those who pass the bar will be admitted in the district from which they applied. The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission distributes to members of the Illinois bar a form for registration at the beginning of every calendar year. See Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756. To maintain active status, attorneys must fill out the form and pay the fee.

Much official correspondence and many forms and agreements executed by students at the College of Law may be delivered by fax machine or email in .pdf format to the College of Law, which may rely on the receipt of such documents so executed and delivered by fax or other electronic means as if the originals had been received. In its discretion, however, the College of Law may require that a student submit an original document with the actual signature.

Each student at the College of Law will be assigned a locker upon filing an email request (addressed to lhoebing@niu.edu) and will retain the same locker during the entire time of enrollment at the College of Law. No locker exchanges will be allowed without verification of medical necessity. Students must furnish their own locks and are responsible for removing the lock and all locker contents upon departure from the law school. After the July bar exam, locks will be cut from all lockers which have not been reserved for that year and the contents will be removed and discarded if not retrieved by the end of July.

College of Law students and student organizations shall comply with College of Law guidelines concerning posting materials in Swen Parson (Appendix C).

All students and student organizations must obtain the advance consent of the Dean’s Office before using the College of Law or University names and logos on apparel, signs and other property used for fundraising and other purposes.

All students and student organizations must comply with the College of Law Policies and Procedures for Serving Alcoholic Beverages at Public Events (Appendix D).

All students must comply with the College of Law Classroom Recording and Transmission Policy (Appendix E).

Academic Success Program (ASP)

Professor Jeanna Hunter – Room 276A

Bar Admission and Examination

Dean Greg Anderson – Room 280A1 (procedures)

Acting Associate Dean Jeanna Hunter — Room 276A (subjects covered and course selection)

Career Counseling

Dean Greg Anderson – Room 280A1

Clinics

Professor Wendy Vaughn, Director of Clinics – Room 198C

Directed Research

Dean Heidi Frostestad – Room 192B (Faculty Suite)

Exam Conflicts or Emergencies

Acting Associate Dean Jeanna Hunter – Room 276A

ExamSoft Questions

Dean Heidi Frostestad – Room 192B (Faculty Suite)

Externships for Credit

Dean Greg Anderson – Room 280A1

Financial Aid

Scholarships: Alex Chapman — Room 151

Loans: NIU Student Financial Aid Office – Room 245 Swen Parson Hall

Graduation Questions

Christy Cunningham-Watson – Room 285

IT Issues and Media/Technology Requests

Rahul Thatte – Room 356 (colit@niu.edu)

Email your requests to colit@niu.edu at least 24 hours in advance

Lockers

Lisa Hoebing – Room 276

Misconduct Reporting and Character and Fitness Disclosures

Associate Dean Jeanna Hunter – Room 276A

Notary Public

Therese Arado – Law Library

Kate Hartman – Law Library

Posting Flyers, etc.

Lisa Hoebing -- Room 276; LeAnn Baie – Room 190; Dean Melody Mitchell – Room 350

Posting Information on COL Event Calendar, Docket, Blog, Social Media or Website

Dean Melody Mitchell -- Room 350 (Facebook, Event Calendar, Blog, LinkedIn and Website)

Lisa Hoebing – Room 276 (Docket)

Pro Bono Opportunities

Dean Greg Anderson – Room 280A1

Reserving Classrooms/Marshall Gallery

Lesly Schoo – Room 190

Reserving Library Study Rooms and North Wing

Library Circulation Desk

Summer School

Professor David Taylor for Agen program – Room 192A (Faculty Suite)

Dean Heidi Frostestad for College of Law summer programs – Room 192B (Faculty Suite)

Acting Associate Dean Jeanna Hunter for summer programs at other law schools – Room 276A

Taking Graduate-Level Classes in Another NIU College

Dean Heidi Frostestad – Room 192B (Faculty Suite)

Taking Over 16 Credits (if under 2.4 CGPA) or Under 12 Credits (Part-Time)

Acting Associate Dean for Student Affairs Jeanna Hunter – Room 276A

Testing and Classroom Accommodations

Acting Associate Dean for Student Affairs Jeanna Hunter – Room 276A

Dean Heidi Frostestad – Room 192B (Faculty Suite)

Travel Reimbursement

Larry Madlock – Room 280A2; purchase permission required before travel

Visiting at Another Law School

Acting Associate Dean for Student Affairs Jeanna Hunter – Room 276A

Withdrawing From a Course

Christy Cunningham-Watson – Room 285

Acting Associate Dean for Student Affairs Jeanna Hunter – Room 276A

Dean Greg Anderson, Director, Career Opportunities & Prof. Development – Room 280A1

College of Law examinations are conducted on a partial honor system, and all students must observe the College of Law Rule of Professional Conduct at all times. In addition, students must comply with all of the following examination rules. Failure to comply with the examination rules will constitute academic misconduct. Students found to have violated the examination rules or the Rule of Professional Conduct will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the College of Law Procedures Relating to Academic or Other Professional Misconduct by a Student.

A. Examination Rules

1. Conduct in the Exam Room

• All materials (such as books, outlines, or other items) not expressly permitted by the instructor, as well as belongings such as backpacks, coats and purses, must be placed near the side walls or in the front of the examination room, except that bottles of water, tissues and similar small items may be kept on the desk where they are visible to exam administrators.
• Unless otherwise expressly allowed, no electronic devices of any type (including smartwatches) may be brought into or used during the examination except for computers loaded with ExamSoft software and headphones designed and used for noise cancellation only.
• Mobile phones should be left in student lockers. If brought into the examination room, they must be fully turned off (not on silent or vibration mode) and placed in a backpack, purse, coat or container near the side walls or in the front of the room.
• From the time an exam begins until it officially ends, no conversations of any type between students taking the exam are permitted inside or outside the exam room.
• Writing on scratch paper or any other materials is prohibited until the instruction to begin the examination is given.

2. Leaving the Exam Room After the Exam Begins and Before It Officially Ends

• Students may leave the examination room to go to the restroom, but must sign in and out and record the times on the sheet at the front of the room. No materials or devices may be taken out of the exam room, and no materials, devices or persons may be consulted while outside the room.
• Students may leave the exam room to go to the faculty assistants' office, but may only take a copy of the examination (if there are questions about it), their computer (if they need assistance from IT) or their examination, answers and other exam materials (if they have finished and are turning it in).
• Students are not permitted to leave the examination room for any other destination or purpose without permission from a hall monitor or dean.

3. Completing and Turning in Examinations

• When an announcement is made that time is up, students must immediately stop writing, typing or filling in Scantron sheets and may not add any answers or responses afterward.
• Students may not discuss the examination with any other person until their examination has been turned in to the exam administrators.
• No examination materials handed out to students may be kept or taken after the exam. All materials must be turned in, including scratch paper and empty blue books.

B. Other Examination Procedures and Guidelines

• All exam materials (including scratch paper but excluding empty blue books) turned in by a student must include the student's exam number.
• The official time for each examination is based on the clock designated by the person starting the exam.
• Anyone who observes or learns of a violation of the Rule of Professional Conduct or these rules is strongly encouraged to report it to a hall monitor, faculty member or dean.
• Students are asked to be courteous by keeping conversations to a minimum and speaking quietly prior to each examination and particularly while administrators are giving instructions. Students are also asked to remain quiet in hallways and near lockers adjacent to exam rooms while examinations are in progress.

Last updated: August 2019

1. Approval and Stamping Required

All posted materials must be approved in advance by Dean Coles or a faculty adviser in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3, and must be stamped by one of the administrative assistants (Lisa Hoebing or Le Ann Baie) before posting.

2. Approval Procedure for Pre-Printed Material

To obtain approval for posting pre-printed materials, submit a hard copy of the materials to Room 276 or email a copy to Dean Hunter at jeannah@niu.edu with a copy to Lisa Hoebing at lhoebing@niu.edu. Members of NIU Law student organizations may alternatively submit materials to their faculty adviser for approval.

3. Permissible Surfaces for Posting

You may post materials on bulletin boards only. Posting on walls, wood doors, glass on doors, stairways or any other surfaces is not allowed.

4. Stairwell Bulletin Boards

Special permission from Dean Hunter at jeannah@niu.edu is required to post materials on the bulletin boards in the staircase near the elevator.

5. Limit on Number of Copies

Only five copies of each notice or other item may be posted at one time.

6. Copyright and Other Issues

When including photographs or other materials that may be subject to copyright or privacy restrictions, ensure that you have advance approvals or releases from the persons, companies or groups involved. Posters may not promote the use of alcohol but may state in small print that beer or wine will be served at an event, provided permission has been received in accordance with the College of Law alcohol use policy.

If the NIU logo or name is used, contact Dean Coles after confirming that the logo complies with the university's Communication Standards for Institutional Brand Identity.

7. White Boards

To prevent damage, notices of events may not be written on white boards unless they are erased within 24 hours.

8. Rules and Restrictions on Removal and Defacing of Posted Materials

Any notices posted inappropriately will be removed by administrative staff. Any student who marks or otherwise defaces law school–approved posted materials (including items posted by faculty or staff) or who removes such materials without permission from the administration or the sponsoring student or group will be subject to disciplinary action.

All student organizations are urged to remove their posters promptly after the advertised events are over.

Last updated: August 2019

Alcoholic beverages may be served or sold in facilities under the control of the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University only if prior approval is obtained from the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance and only in compliance with university policy and guidelines.

To comply with university policy, the College of Law has established the following requirements for all events sponsored by student organizations at which alcoholic beverages are proposed to be served:

• at the College of Law or on university property, or
• at any other location if College of Law or university funds are used or if the name or property of the College of Law or the university is used or associated with the event.

I. Approval Request Required

For all events described above, a draft approval request must be prepared and submitted to the Acting Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Jeanna Hunter, by email at jeannah@niu.edu at least twelve business days before the planned event. Copy Melody Mitchell at mmitchell@niu.edu and Lisa Hoebing at lhoebing@niu.edu.

II. Contents of Approval Request

The draft approval request should contain all information required on the attached form, and all sections must be completed. For events not held at or staffed by an establishment with a valid liquor license and licensed bartenders, the following requirements apply:

• No alcoholic beverages may be brought to or taken away from the event.
• IDs must be checked for any attendee who is not a known of-age NIU College of Law affiliate.
• Only beer, cider and wine may be served.
• Food, soft drinks and water must be available whenever alcohol is served.
• Self-service of alcohol by guests is not permitted.
• Any guest or participant who appears intoxicated or impaired must be denied service.

At events held at or staffed by an establishment with a valid liquor license and licensed bartenders, similar rules apply, except that hard liquor may be provided if the sponsoring student organization does not pay for or subsidize it, and “shots” of liquor may not be served to law students.

III. Approval Process and Other Requirements

After review and revision of the draft approval request, the Associate Dean or a staff member will forward it to the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance for review and approval.

Once approval is received, officers of the sponsoring organization must ensure the following at the event:

A. Required Notices

At events held at the College of Law or on university property, post notices stating:

• No alcoholic beverages may be served to anyone under age 21, and identification may be required.
• Anyone who appears intoxicated, inebriated or impaired may be refused service.
• No alcoholic beverages may be brought to or removed from the premises.

B. Faculty or Staff Presence

A College of Law faculty or staff member must be present at all times when alcohol is being served.

C. Student Oversight

At events held at the College of Law or on university property, student supervisors overseeing compliance with university policy must be present at the point of service, and both the supervisors and servers must abstain from alcohol before and during the event. Student organization members are encouraged to obtain server licenses. For more information, contact Dean Hunter at jeannah@niu.edu.

D. Safety Information and Transportation

At all evening events, provide safety information to participants, including designated driver instructions and how to contact the NIU Huskie Student Patrol, the Huskie Safe Line or similar services. The sponsoring organization must make reasonable efforts to arrange safe transportation home for any guest who appears intoxicated or impaired.

E. Event Attendees

All public events must include invitees and attendees from at least one of the following groups: faculty, staff, legal professionals, international guests of the College of Law or university, alumni, donors, or others associated with the profession or the university.

F. Additional Requirements

Organizations must comply with any additional commitments or requirements requested by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance.

IV. Promotional Materials

Promotional materials may not include alcohol in the title or encourage alcohol use as a goal or dominant feature. They may state that beer, cider and wine will be served, provided the notice is not oversized or prominent. Promotions for “bar crawls” or similar events encouraging overconsumption are not permitted.

Using College of Law bulletin boards, white boards, plasma screens or College-administered social media or publications triggers the requirement for advance approval as described in Part I.

V. Off-Campus Events

Events not held on university property are not subject to these procedures unless the conditions in the introductory paragraph apply. However, all students are urged to act responsibly and practice protective behaviors regarding alcohol use at all events, on or off campus.

Last updated: August 2019

Alcohol Service Request (Email Submission)

To request approval for alcohol service at an event, please complete all questions and email to Dean Jeanna Hunter (jeannah@niu.edu).

Event Details

• Event title
• Event description, including purpose
• Benefit to NIU or students
• Date and time
• Location
• Event manager (NIU employee)
• Sponsoring department and college

Attendees

Please describe the expected audience and indicate whether any of the following will be present:

• Undergraduate students
• Graduate students
• Faculty or staff
• Alumni
• Individuals under age 21 or minors
• Friends, family, or guests
• Members of the entire University community
• Members of the general public

Anticipated turnout: Provide an estimated number or range.

Students and minors: Explain in what capacity students or minors may attend (for example, guests, invitees, performers).

Alcohol Service Information

• Types of alcohol to be served (beer, wine, liquor)
• Availability of non-alcoholic beverages
• Availability of food
• Funding source for alcohol (NIU department, cash bar, donation)
• Vendor or individual responsible for sale or service of alcohol and whether servers are licensed
• Method for verifying legal drinking age (ID checks, process used)
• Who will monitor service to ensure no one is overserved
• Who will ensure attendees do not bring in outside alcohol or leave the premises with alcohol

Effective August 2017

View Recording Agreement (DOCX)

Recording of Classes Generally Prohibited

Audio or video recording of any class meeting, or any portion of a class meeting, is prohibited unless the instructor provides explicit advance authorization and the recording is made in accordance with this policy. Any violation of this rule by a student constitutes a breach of the College of Law Rule of Professional Conduct.

When Recording of Classes Is Allowed

1. Accommodations Recommended by the NIU Disability Resource Center

The NIU Disability Resource Center (DRC) may recommend that a student be permitted to record one or more class meetings as an accommodation for a disability. Students seeking such an accommodation should contact the DRC as early as possible. These requests are handled confidentially and anonymously.

If the College of Law, after consulting with the DRC and the student when appropriate, determines that recording is proper, the instructor will make arrangements for recording and will notify all students in the class that the session will be recorded. Under no circumstances may a student record any class session without explicit approval from the instructor.

2. Instructor Discretion

Instructors may, at their discretion, audio or video record any class session for any reason. Instructors must notify all students in the class before any recording occurs. Arrangements for recording under this provision will be made by the instructor. No student may record any class session without explicit instructor approval.

Transmission or Distribution of Class Recordings Prohibited

Students are strictly prohibited from transmitting or distributing any class recording by any means. Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to, emailing recordings or linking/posting recordings online.

Copyright and Use of Recordings

Permission to record a class or to use class recordings is granted solely to support the student's personal study of course materials. All recordings remain the property of the instructor, who may require their return or destruction after they have served their intended purpose.

Permission to record or use recordings does not transfer any copyright or other rights held by the instructor, the University, or the College of Law.