STUDENT HANDBOOK 2016–2017 Rules and Policies Reservation of University Rights Information presented here is subject to change, and the University reserves the right to depart without notice from any policy or procedure referred to in this handbook. This handbook is not intended to and should not be regarded as a contract between the University and any student or other person. Students are encouraged to consult the offices and websites described for the most current and up-to-date information. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents Welcome . 1 . The J.D. Program . 3 . Planning a J.D. Program . 3 . Choosing Your Courses . 5 Rules for the J.D. Degree . 7 Academic Procedures . 22. Tuition and Fees . 31 Withdrawal and Adjustment of Fees. .31 . University Refund Policy . .32 . Academic Recognition . 34 Special Programs . .37 . Parker School Recognition of Achievement in International and Comparative law . 37 Joint Degree Programs for J.D. Students . 37. International Study Programs for J.D. Students . .39 . Procedures for Student Discipline . .41 . Grievance Procedure . 48. Columbia University Sexual Respect and Community Citizenship Initiative. .49 . University Regulations and Policies . 50. Appendix: University Gender-based Misconduct Policy for Students . 51. WELCOME 1 Welcome from the Dean of Students Welcome to Columbia Law School! To study law at Colum- bia is to be a member of an exceptional community—one that has shaped both the world and local communities for more than 150 years. This digital handbook provides information on important rules and policies that govern your time here as a student at Columbia Law School and Columbia University. While this handbook serves as a convenient reference, you may also access this information online at the web addresses included throughout this publication. During your time here, you will be enriched by learn- ing from our eminent faculty and by collaborating with your classmates—colleagues with uncommon talents from a remarkable diversity of backgrounds and perspectives. We know you will find it an invigorating place to live and learn. We also hope you take the time over the next three years to explore all that New York offers. We are here to support you in any way possible as you grow in knowledge and shape a brilliant future. We look forward to your contribution to the Columbia Law School family. With warmest wishes for a most successful year, Yadira Ramos-Herbert Interim Dean of Students; Director of Academic Counseling and Student Outreach THE J.D. PROGRAM 3 The Juris Doctor Program Planning a J.D. Program • A course in the area of professional responsibility. • Mandatory Pro Bono service of a minimum of 40 hours Students in the Columbia Law School Juris Doctor (J.D.) pro- (see page 5). gram obtain their degree in three years of full-time academic • Students must complete two (2) Writing Credits, work. During that relatively short period of time, students at least one of which meets the criteria for Major should be sure to make the most of their legal education. This Writing Credit. section will advise you as to the academic requirements you a. The Major Writing Credit must be registered for by must satisfy in order to obtain your degree and provide you the end of the Add/Drop period of the fifth (or pen- with ideas for curriculum planning. ultimate) semester, and initiated by no later than the The American Bar Association and the New York Court beginning of the fifth semester. See Legal Writing of Appeals (22 NYCRR 520) have promulgated rules and Requirement, page 4. regulations that must be followed by law schools, and thus by b. The Minor Writing Credit may be completed at any every Columbia Law School student seeking a J.D. degree. time before the expected graduation date, but must be In addition to these requirements, the Law School also has registered for not later than the end of the Add/Drop established its own academic policies and procedures. The period of the student’s final semester at the Law School. Rules for the J.D. Degree contain a detailed account of See Legal Writing Requirement, page 4. the requirements approved by the Faculty of Law for earning • Up to 12 academic points may be earned toward the J.D. the J.D. degree at Columbia University (in compliance with degree in graduate-level, non-Law courses at other fac- the ABA and New York Court of Appeals rules). Students are ulties of the University over the duration of the degree individually responsible for knowing, fulfilling, and abiding program. Non-Law courses for which J.D. credit is by these sets of rules, so it is very important that you familiar- earned can be counted toward the total points required ize yourself with them. The Columbia Law School Rules for in each semester. J.D. credit will be granted only for sat- the J.D. may be found online at www.law.columbia.edu/ isfactory completion of courses related to the student’s academics/rules. legal training and for which a grade of C or better is Although you are urged to read carefully the Rules earned. See Non-Law Courses at Other Faculties of for the J.D. Degree, the following summary of academic Columbia University, page 6 and Rule 1.8 of the Rules requirements, along with information regarding planning for the J.D. Degree, page 13. programs of study, may be useful to you. Proposed programs of study that vary from these requirements may require the Residency and Attendance permission of the Rules Committee, requested in the form There is a minimum residence requirement for each Colum- of a written letter of petition and submitted to the Dean of bia Law School degree: See the appropriate section of the Registration Services. Rules for the J.D. Degree for details. Students are held Academic Requirements accountable for absences incurred owing to late enrollment. Regular attendance is expected of every student at all meet- To earn your J.D. degree, you must complete satisfactorily ings of the courses in which he or she is registered. This is the following: generally defined as attendance at 80 percent of class ses- • At least 83 academic points toward the J.D. degree. At sions, although an instructor may establish other attendance least 71 of these points must be earned by satisfactory requirements. Adequate preparation of assignments and completion of courses, seminars, and other activities informed participation in class discussion are expected of listed on the Columbia Law School online curriculum every student. The quality of a student’s preparation and of guide. See also the Rules for the J.D. Degree. the in-class discussion participation may be considered by • Six (6) terms of full-time residence at Columbia Law the instructor, without special notice, in determining the stu- School (normally three academic years). Students admit- dent’s grade in the course. If a student has excessive absences ted with advanced standing must complete at least in a course, academic credit cannot be earned and a final four (4) terms of full-time residence as matriculants in grade of Failure may be recorded. See Rule 5.3. Columbia’s J.D. degree program. • 12 to 15 points each semester (most students take Limitation on Employment approximately 13 or 14 academic points per semester). Law students are advised against engaging in employment that • All ABA and Columbia Law School Foundation cur- exceeds 20 hours per week during the academic year. Colum- ricular requirements. 4 THE J.D. PROGRAM bia Law School strongly discourages first-year law students N.B. All course credits may count as fieldwork for from seeking any employment in order to have sufficient time externships that do not meet on a regular weekly basis to focus on the rigors of the first-year curriculum. throughout the term. e. Up to three (3) points of academic credit can be Limitations on Course Selections and earned in independent work on Law School jour- Registration nals or upper-level moot courts (see Rule 1.11). This In addition to the above affirmative academic requirements, includes credits earned for the following: there are certain limitations on the types and number of • service on a Law School journal editorial board courses you can take as an upperclass Law School student. You (2-credit limit, one credit per term; third-year stu- should familiarize yourself with these parameters as well: dents only) • Up to 30 of the 83 points of Law School credit can be in • a published Note in a Law School journal (1-credit the area of clinical courses, externships, and field place- limit; third-year students only) ment programs, including classroom components. How- • upper-year coaches of the alternative first-year ever, not more than 19 points in the following offerings moot court programs will be counted toward the 83 points required for the f. Service as a teaching fellow (see Rule 1.12). J.D. degree: g. Supervised work on an upper-level moot court (see a. Supervised Research (see Rule 1.5). A maximum Rule 1.13). Up to four (4) points of academic credit of four (4) credits per academic year, three (3) in an can be earned in service as a moot court student edi- academic term, and eight (8) credits overall, can be tor, moot court student judge, or director of the Har- earned for writing a research paper or its substantial lan Fiske Stone Program. equivalent under the supervision of a Columbia Law School faculty member. Legal Writing Requirement b. Research as an unpaid faculty assistant (see Rule 1.6). As noted, in order to graduate, a student must complete two A maximum of two (2) credits per academic year, and (2) Writing Credits, at least one of which meets the criteria of four (4) credits overall, can be earned by a student serv- the Major Writing Credit.