Elevate Pre-Orientation Programming Provides Opportunities for New Students to Connect

During the month of July, the College of Law hosted numerous events for incoming 1Ls through our new Elevate Pre-Orientation programming. The virtual sessions were hosted by FSU Law professors, students and administrators, and were designed to provide first-year students with opportunities to get to know more about the law school and its community members. Highlights included informal meetings with 1L professors—including tea and coffee breaks and a board game session, a social justice session with professors from our Public Interest Law Center, a “Pet Show & Tell” with students from our Animal Legal Defense Fund, a town hall meeting with our Student Bar Association, a conversation about careers with Co-Director of Clinical Externship Programs Adria Quintela, a “Staying Fit and Healthy” session with a current student, and a murder mystery game session with Associate Dean Nancy Benavides. The optional sessions were well attended and offered 1Ls many opportunities to engage with one another, which we know is important to our new students.

Students will have more opportunities to connect during orientation programming, which is scheduled for August 10-21. Mandatory orientation sessions are being held remotely this year, but the material covered will be similar to years past. Sessions will include a special presentation by Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson (’87) on “How to Be an Effective Law Student While Taking Care of Yourself & Enjoying Life;” optional lunch sessions with Florida Solicitor General Amit Agarwal and International Bar Association Executive Director Mark Ellis (’84); a panel discussion with several more of our engaged and successful alumni; a “Finding Success in Law School” panel featuring current students; sessions with administrators from our Career Services, Academic Programs, Student Advancement and Technology offices; “Meet Your 1L Faculty Panels” featuring professors for each section; a wellness session with Professor Larry Krieger; a case briefing workshop with legal writing professors; a virtual student organization fair; a session on implicit bias; and a wide variety of optional sessions on financial aid and planning. Students will also attend Contracts classes, where Dean O'Connor looks forward to interacting with them as she and five of her colleagues teach the sessions. An innovative app launched earlier this week will allow students to manage their orientation schedule and engage further with FSU Law community members. We are delighted to be welcoming this new class of students to the FSU Law family!

Published on August 7, 2020