The physical plant of a law school
posted by Jennifer Collins
For a number of reasons, my law school is currently considering whether any revisions should be made to our building, which leads me to the following question. Does your law school building have a communal gathering space where professors and students can easily mingle? A lounge, a cafeteria, or a coffee shop, for example? If your building does have such a space, do students and professors take advantage of it, and do you find that it advances your educational mission? When I think about my dream building revisions, the addition of a space that could foster more informal interactions than what often take place in a professor’s office is near the top of my list. I am wondering if that instinct is correct, and if so, what kind of space might be the most beneficial.
May 7, 2009 at 10:57 am
Posted in: Law School
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Responses (8)
Kristopher Nelson - May 7, 2009 at 11:20 am
There is a cafe space here at the University of Washington’s law school (the university has put them in all over campus, actually). It does work very well at helping interaction between students, I find, and makes a very convenient meeting place.
In terms of students interacting with professors, however, I find it minimally useful. With a very few exceptions, professors do not sit in the cafe space, nor do students meet with professors in the space. Most interactions still occur in offices, or before/after class.
I nonetheless still think it is a useful space, because it encourages talking and discussion while studying, versus a library-type space, where interaction in more limited.
Howard Wasserman - May 7, 2009 at 12:32 pm
A group of faculty here had this very conversation with a dean candidate this morning–discussing and decrying the absence of any good faculty-gathering space (for holding workshops, lunch, informal gatherings, etc.) in the building and the significant effect this has on faculty interaction, collegiality, and overall intellectual environment.
Bruce Boyden - May 7, 2009 at 1:07 pm
We don’t have such a space yet at Marquette, but we will soon, in our new building. I think it’s one of the best features of the new building — a big central area on the ground floor with a cafeteria off to the side, and the main staircase in the middle, lit by skylights. More here: http://law.marquette.edu/ecksteinhall/plans/unique-features.html (see “Zilber Forum”).
Matt - May 7, 2009 at 1:28 pm
At Penn there are two lounge-type spaces- “The Clock” and “the Goat”, as well as a large inner courtyard. (The lounges are called that because of a clock in one and a goat statue in the other.) Mostly students meet in these areas, though there are often receptions after talks or events in them as well, in which case professors sometimes linger and mingle, though I don’t think many of them intentionally spend time there hoping to chat with students. The courtyard is mostly used by smokers but also sometimes for social events.
Law Grad - May 7, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Catholic University has a mini-cafeteria/lounge in their school, and it was a great place to mingle for students and faculty alike. Texas Wesleyan (which I transferred to) does not, and was the poorer for it.
USD Law Student - May 7, 2009 at 2:22 pm
No USD does not have such a space. We have a student lounge and the possibility of such a space but Profs have dont mingle with students in the way you have described. It would be great to have such a space — maybe with several different beers on tap to facilitate discussion.
Paul Ohm - May 7, 2009 at 7:19 pm
In our three-year old building, U. Colorado Law has a very nice, very large cafe, with views of the foothills and a roaring fireplace. Doors lead out to a beautiful, large outdoor patio. The place is always teeming with students, and although I don’t see other profs hanging out every time I go down there, I often see them, sometimes sitting with other profs and often sitting with students.
Paul Ohm - May 7, 2009 at 7:24 pm
One more thing: For the past few semesters (although not this semester, given the state budget) our Dean has given every professor a handful of vouchers good for free coffee and pastries in the cafe, but only if the professor is accompanied by students. He calls the program, “A Cup of Joe on the Dean,” and I love it. I may have abused the system, however, bringing 10 or more students with me at a time.
You want informal mingling between profs and students? THIS is a great way to encourage it.
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