The Docket Historical Archives 9-1-1994 The Docket, Issue 1, September 1994 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu/docket Recommended Citation "The Docket, Issue 1, September 1994" (1994). The Docket. 184. https://digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu/docket/184 This 1994-1995 is brought to you for free and open access by the Historical Archives at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Docket by an authorized administrator of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Digital Repository. - - - - £• .. :-y V i- Die Villanova Law (Docl^et Vol. XXXII, No. 1 The Villanova School of Law September, 1994 VILLANOVA LAW GETS A FACE LIFT STUDENTS HAVE MIXED REACTIONS TO RENOVATIONS by Nathan Murawsky without conflict. commented on many areas that are up for Other complaints among students have been On Monday, May 23, building construction Frankino further commented that no tuition consideration. Such areas include the the lack of "livability" to the furniture, and that to enhance accessibility and life safety money was used to fund the renovations. "It is refurnishing of the classrooms and the student body was never consulted about the commenced, and was scheduled to be my policy that today's students should not pay construction to improve the flow of traffic renovations. Many students felt that a lounge completed on'August 12. However, because for facilities that they will not use while throughout the school, and within the next for students should reflect what the students classes have started, the contract only allowed enrolled." Frankino explained that all of the several years. Frankino also stated that the want. for work during the weekends. As a result, the money used to pay for the renovations came library is a prime candidate for future There are those students who are pleased full slate of renovations Renovations. with the new lounge, stating that the bright should be completed by the colors and new furniture are a vast end of the month. If not. STUDENT REACTION improvement over the previous lounge design. Dean Frankino noted that a The lounge has been the most [Ed. Contrary to popular belief, there is a large "compelling penalty clause" controversial renovation to the law movement amongst the students that "silently" would come into effect. school. At first, the student reaction approves of the changes made to the lounge.] The Contractors, was overwhelmingly negative, although As for the new remaining renovations, most Schaefer and Company, the passage of time has reduced the students have been very pleased. Many exercised control of the level of displeasure. Most students, students have commented that the new School's facilities during while first taken aback by the new stairtower, when opened, will begin to help the summer. The lounge, have now become accustomed ease traffic around rooms 101, 102 and 103. $1,079,605 project included to the new surroundings. However, However, students and some faculty have the following: 1) the there are those students who still are already noted that the curtains in rooms 101 construction of a stair tower unhappy with the renovations. and 102 will remained closed to prevent addition to the original Some students have described the "distractions" from students waiting outside. section of Gary Hall lounge as everything from a casino As for the new elevator, most students were creating exits from 101, without the slot machines to a bad LSD unaware that such an elevator existed, but were 102, and 103; 2) an elevator trip. One student commented that "you pleased that the school has taken affirmative tower addition to the 1972 steps to accommodate wing creating a new The new renovations, including the stairtower handicapped students. entrance and accessibility to pictured above have been highly praised... 'While the current all levels; 3) replacement of renovations have drawn a the loading area of the library and the ramp from separate fundraising efforts of the mixed bag of reactions, entering the courtyard; 4) new handicapped administration. many students also parking; 5) new entrance and ramp into the Although not under the same commented on projects they cafeteria/commons; and 6) an accessible contract with Schaefer and Company, would like to see the school entrance to the Reuschlein Room. the student lounge was also renovated. undertake. Leading the list Frankino stated that the renovations were Frankino noted that the main purpose was a multitude of made to "ensure access to all handicapped behind the lounge renovations was to suggestions regarding the persons and enhance fire safety" at the law "brighten and add color" to the lounge. high traffic outside of rooms school. While roomers have circulated that the The design for the lounge came from 29 and 30 during break renovations were the result of a law student's Ruth Ann Davis, an interior decorator periods. Solutions included paper on the American Disabilities Act, who has also designed the offices of widening ' the hallway Frankino remarked that the idea for the Dean Frankino, Dean Garbarino, Dean outside of the classrooms, renovations did not come from "external Brogan, Professor James, and the and enclosing the exits on sources." original lounge. the opposite side, making Frankino explained that the idea for As with other renovations, Frankino students exit class through renovations originated as an answer to a explained that the lounge renovations ...but the new lounge has been criticized by some students as those doors. recurring problem. "We began to notice were funded only by contributions being too loud and not reflecting the students wishes. Other common classes were being schedule around the made specifically for the lounge recommendations included handicapped accessible rooms." Frankino project, and not from student tuition. can't stay in the lounge for more than five renovating the library, adding a MAC machine stated that class schedules can now be decided As for future construction, Frankino minutes without getting a headache." to the building and adding additional parking The most common source for reaction to spaces to the law school parking lot. On the the lounge, though, has been the curtain and parking note, Dean Frankino stated that there •v-r SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW: the four high-back chairs of the same pattern. has been a problem with undergraduate Many students commented that removing the students parking their cars illegally in the law PROFESSOR COTAN DA curtains and the chairs would improve the school lot, and that actions have been taken to lounge immensely. "tow away" any further problems. by D.J. Meincke Gotanda composed songs, directed, produced, Professor John Y. Gotanda comes to VLS distributed, and promoted record albums. The Villanova Law Docket U.S POSTAGE from Hawaii, where he received his Although his music was mainly Hawaiian PAID undergraduate and law school degrees, then contemporary, he did work with Bad English's Villanova Law School Villanova, PA Washington, D.C. and Boston. However, Ricky Phillips and John Barnes. [Barnes' Villanova, PA 19085 Permit No. 5 Professor Gotanda's new career as a law credits include working with the Pointer professor is only another bullet on an already Sisters and Michael Jackson.] Professor Non-Profit Organization eclectic resume that includes endeavors such Gotanda still dabbles with jnusic in his in- as managing restaurants and producing music. home recording studio. ^ Even though Professor Gotanda entered the Prof. Gotanda believes that these careers William S. Richardson School of Law in helped him to develop the people skills that are Hawaii right after receiving his bachelors critical to attorneys. As an 18 year old running degree, he was already engrossed with two a restaurant, he- often dealt with older people. Hi- careers. While an undergraduate at the Professor Gotanda found that win-win University of Hawaii, he managed a restaurant solutions to situations held in the long run. and was an executive record producer. Even with the profitable careers as a music As an executive record producer, Professor Gotanda Cont on Page 2 WELCOME CLASS OF 1996 September 1994 • THE DOCKET • Page 2 student Bar Association Steve Odabashian related questions and concerns. A few years ago (before I was even a IL), The SBA would just like to remind Student Bar Association President All students at Villanova Law School are the SBA had a reputation as simply being a all Villanova Law students of the current Greetings!! To the 2Ls and 3Ls, welcome members of the SBA. You do not have to be "keg-carrying organization". We still can law school smoking policy. The present back! I'm sure you've missed school as much an officer to be a member. The meetings are carry kegs, but we also get things done. as I have. Also, defending myself in advance, open to all students. Please sit in on a meeting Serious things. For instance, in my first year smoking policy bans smoking in all I am not Dean Frankino's decorator. To the at some point in the year to see what it is we we baimed smokiiig in the student lounge and areas of the law school building, except ILs, welcome to Villanova Law. Let me tell do or offer your personal input. The limited it to designated areas in the cafeteria. for the smoking section of the cafeteria. you about the Student Bar Association.(SBA) representatives are available to you. Stop by (Maybe we can get harmless smoke added to There is some obvious confusion as to We are the student run government at our office (Room 34) or stop us in the halls if the lounge to add to the Casino look.) what constitutes the smoking section of Villanova Law.