Student Services and Activities

5.1 Student I.D. and E-Mail

1. Student I.D. Cards
   An ID card is issued to each student shortly after initial enrollment and registration for each academic year. For JD students only, the card includes the student’s exam number; this number should not be disclosed to faculty or other students. (See 11.1.A., Anonymous Grading .)
    
2. JURIS E-Mail
   Each new student is issued an institutional e-mail account (domain address “@juris.collegesoflaw.edu”) shortly after making a Tuition Deposit. The School will send important e-mail communications only through this JURIS address; personal e-mail addresses will not be used. Each student is responsible for checking the JURIS e-mail account regularly to be aware of such communications; COL recommends that students set up automatic forwarding of their JURIS e-mail to any frequently-checked personal e-mail account. The JURIS address is not subject to change on student request. Students may use the JURIS e-mail “pick list” to locate e-mail addresses for fellow students, faculty, and staff. A JURIS e-mail account is closed and access is no longer provided upon withdrawal or other cancellation of enrollment.  A student who graduates from a The Community Solution Education System affiliate is granted lifetime access to email.
    
3. Multi-factor Authentication
   Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enabled for all accounts, (MFA) adds a layer of protection to the sign-in process. When accessing accounts or apps, users will be required to provide additional identity verification through their phone or other approved device.

5.2 Digital Information Resources

Digital Information Resources Credentials for access to digital information resources are distributed within several weeks of the start of a student’s first term. Access to all electronic systems, and licensing for the Office Suite, excluding email, is removed after graduation or other discontinuation of enrollment. Students will be notified of access changes when the Registrar begins their graduation process. Information Technology is available to assist students in downloading files prior to graduation. 

1. Academic Support/Bar Review resources (JD only) - available approximately Week 4 of the student’s first term
   Resources for academic support and bar review are provided to JD students through BARBRI, a commercial bar review provider. These include study outlines, online resources such as videos and drills, and a full Bar Review course for graduates prior to sitting for the California Bar Examination (see Section 5.8 for further information).
    
2. ExamSoft (JD) - available approximately Week 3 of the student’s first term
   This software allows a student to take secure examinations on a personal laptop, by blocking access to the student’s hard drive during the exam.
    
3. Zoom (JD/MBLT) - available after processing of tuition deposit
   Use this software to attend virtual class sessions, share your desktop with fellow students or faculty members for academic purposes, or meet remotely with your study group using your own webcam.
    
4. Microsoft 365/Microsoft Suite (JD/MBLT) - available after processing of tuition deposit
   When a new student is issued a COL institutional e-mail address through Microsoft 365, the student’s account also includes access to the Microsoft Suite of applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
    
5. OnLaw (CEB Publications) (JD/MBLT) - available after processing of tuition deposit
   Students may access OnLaw’s publications of the State Bar’s legal publishing arm, Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), through the Student Gateway.
    
6. Student Gateway (JD/MBLT) - available after processing of tuition deposit
   On the password-protected Student Gateway (https://My.CollegesofLaw.edu/), enrolled students can find a wide variety of helpful materials, including administrative forms, prior exams (School and California Bar Exam), and other resources.
    
7. Learning Management Systems (JD/MBLT)
   Most course materials are available through the Canvas LMS. 
    
8. Westlaw (JD/MBLT) - available prior to start of first term of enrollment
   All students have online access to the Westlaw legal research service during certain hours. Access is currently available 180 hours per student per month for Westlaw Next.
    
9. Wireless Network (JD/MBLT) - available approximately Week 2 of the student’s first term
   Each campus has a wireless network that allows students with wireless-enabled devices to access Canvas, Westlaw, the Internet, and library printers from anywhere on campus. Unless specifically directed to do so by their instructor, students are not authorized to access the wireless network during class. Instructions for using the network are found in each classroom and in the law library.

5.3 Law Libraries (On Site)

1. Library Collections
   
   At each campus, a law library serves the needs of local students, faculty, and staff. Legal Research materials are available through online platforms provided by the School.
   
   The libraries provide convenient access to legal materials for onsite and local online students in research-intensive courses and may also be used for studying and completing course-related assignments. Additional resources are available at the county law libraries throughout California, including in Santa Barbara and Ventura, at 1100 Anacapa Street, 2nd Floor and 800 S. Victoria Avenue, respectively; all are open to the public, including students of the School.

2. Library Rules

   The School’s printers, and online legal research services are to be used strictly for completing coursework at the School, improving legal research skills, and other academic purposes. Commercial or non-academic personal use of the libraries, printers, or online legal research facilities, services, or programs by or on behalf of any student or any other person is prohibited and is a violation of School policies. The School reserves the right to change or discontinue resources, online facilities, hours, and services at any time.

5.4 Counseling (Academic and Personal)

1. Academic Counseling
   1. Academic Support
      1. Faculty members are ordinarily available by appointment to discuss course topics, examinations, and grades. Students are encouraged to review their examination papers and to confer with their professors regarding their exam performance as soon as possible after exams.
      2. For JD students, the Academic Advisor provides academic support through workshops and individual counseling during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. Students in academic difficulty may be required to attend workshops or meet with a faculty member or Academic Advisor as a condition of probation or readmission. The Academic Standards Committee may consider a student’s level of participation in the Academic Support Program in deciding upon petitions for probation. Students wishing to receive individual counseling should contact the Academic Advisor through the Academic Support course page on Canvas or via email. Workshop schedules and counseling appointment opportunities will be posted or otherwise communicated.
      3. In addition to the Academic Advisors, JD students may access student mentors to provide support and academic counseling.
      4. MBLT students may seek academic counseling and support by virtual meeting, e-mail or telephone call to their faculty or the Associate Dean of the Program and/or the Dean.
   2. Program Counseling
      
      The Office of the Registrar provides counseling for matters such as course selection and graduation planning.
2. Personal Counseling/Student Assistance Program
   Students may contact ComPsych, a third-party provider, for confidential counseling about behavioral and emotional health, family, or other personal matters (24 hours a day, seven days a week) via a toll-free phone line (866-519-7419) ─ or through the website at www.guidanceresources.com. To register online, click on “first-time user”, use the web ID “COLLEGESOFLAW”, and choose your own user name. A master’s level clinician will perform an issues assessment and the student will be directed to appropriate resources for further assistance. ComPsych also provides referrals to free or low-cost legal and financial services. These communications will not be shared with staff or faculty at the School except as required by law.
    
3. Health and Wellness
   1. ​Information is provided to all students on the Student Gateway here.

5.5 Resources for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities should contact the Registrar as soon as possible after enrollment or when the disability is diagnosed to arrange for physical access accommodations, examination conditions, and other services. (See Section 3.14, Accommodation for Students with Disabilities .) Students are encouraged not to wait until they experience academic difficulties.

5.6 Other Resources

1. Extracurricular Seminars
   The School occasionally holds seminars to inform students on a variety of extracurricular topics, such as the range of opportunities in the legal profession and job-seeking strategies. These seminars are free of charge and, whenever possible, will be recorded and placed on the appropriate Student Gateway for viewing by those unable to attend in person.
    
2. Study and Lounge Spaces
   The School encourages students to form informal groups for continued study and discussion outside the structured programs of the School. Online students are welcome to use space on campus or Zoom video conferencing for collaborative study and discussions. Quiet space for individual and group study is available on each campus during the day and on weekends when the library is open. Each campus has a student lounge and vending equipment.
    
3. Lost and Found
   Found items should be brought to the Administration Office where owners may reclaim them. Any item not picked up within 30 days will be donated to a charitable organization or discarded.

5.7 Student Organizations

1. Institutionally recognized and supported organizations:
   Students in all COL programs are automatically members of the Student Bar Association (“SBA”). SBA participates in the planning and support of a variety of events. SBA leadership, members, and volunteers assist COL with the annual orientation for new students, the annual presentation of academic awards, and SBA sponsors a variety of activities. Activities include approved social events and peer mentoring projects. SBA is institutionally funded annually when a proper budget is approved by the President’s Office.
    
2. Institutionally recognized and student sponsored organizations: Student enthusiasm, leadership, and participation should drive the activities of any COL approved organization. COL administration determines whether an organization is recognized by the institution at any given time:
   Currently, COL recognizes organizations including: the Sandra Day O’Connor Senate of DTP (Delta Theta Phi, an all-inclusive international law fraternity), COL’s chapter of NLLSA (the National Latinx Law Student Association), and COL’s chapter of SALDF (the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund). All institutionally recognized and student sponsored organizations must have a COL-approved advisor. An advisor must be either a faculty, staff member, or member of the administration and be approved by the President’s Office. COL may assign a willing advisor to any organization at the discretion of the President’s Office. An advisor serves to oversee the activities of an organization, attend the meetings when able, and serves as a guide to the organization and its activities. At no time may any organization operate outside the oversight of COL. Students interested in participating in these, or other student sponsored organizations, may contact Student Services or the President’s Office for information.
3. Presidential approval of student sponsored organizations: 
   A student-sponsored organization may gain institutional recognition by submitting themselves for approval from the President’s Office. In all instances, the President’s Office determines whether a group or organization is recognized by COL and deemed an institutionally recognized student sponsored organization. Further, students wishing to seek Presidential Approval of an organization must gain such approval prior to the use of COL facilities or resources.
4. Requirements of institutionally recognized and Student-Sponsored Organizations: 
   All organizations seeking institutional approval must have proper founding/governing documents and a governance structure. All organizations seeking institutional funding must be institutionally recognized and must submit a proper budget to the President’s Office for approval.

5.8 JD/HJD BARBRI Study Materials/Bar Support

The School currently contracts with BARBRI, a commercial bar review provider, to provide law study materials. Access to certain BARBRI study materials, including study outlines and online resources, will be provided to each student in the onsite JD Program during their first Fall semester and in the second full semester in the HJD Program. Thereafter, from time to time a student will be given access to additional BARBRI materials appropriate for the student’s curriculum. Instructors may assign students to read or otherwise engage with BARBRI materials as part of coursework at the School. Contact information for a BARBRI representative may be obtained from the Student Success and Bar Preparation Office. The School reserves the right to change its bar support services, including the use of a commercial provider.  At the School’s discretion, the School will pay for such bar support services, including a review course specific to the California Bar Examination, for two administrations of the Bar Examination following the student’s graduation. 

5.9 Other Services

1. Books and Supplies
   While the School does not sell books or study aids but students may consult the Administration Office for assistance in finding required books and optional study materials online through legal or other bookstores.
    
2. Employment Assistance
   The School does not provide job placement services, announcements of job opportunities are emailed to students and alumni and posted on the School’s social media channels. Faculty and staff members also provide an informal referral network. Lastly, students learn of job openings through the School’s Legal Internship program, or as a result of student membership in the local bar associations.
    
3. Housing
   The School is a non-residential institution; it has no dormitories and does not assist students with finding housing. Both campuses are in metropolitan areas with housing available within easy commuting distance.
    
4. Academic Achievement Awards
   These awards are given to recognize academic achievement during the preceding academic year for students in the JD and HJD Programs.  Students who have completed at least one full academic year are eligible for awards.