2017-18 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2017-18 Vermont Law School Student Handbook August 2017 Purpose and Use of This Handbook This handbook has been developed as a source of information for members of the Vermont Law School community and their families. We have made every effort to make it clear, concise, and thorough; however, each academic year changes are made in policies, procedures, and guidelines which may affect the information included in this handbook and in these rules and procedures. It is wise to check with the appropriate office or Vermont Law School official to make sure you have accurate and up-to-date information. Additionally, there are other publications at Vermont Law School that contain vital information. The Academic Catalog in particular, has a number of academic policies which are not restated in this publication. The section entitled Vermont Law School Honor Code and Code of Conduct describes the community standards and policies that exist at Vermont Law School. Students are expected to know and abide by these standards and policies. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, Vermont Law School reserves the right to make changes at any time without prior notice. The Dean’s Office thanks the Student Services Committee, faculty, staff, and students for assisting in the development of the VLS Student Handbook 2017-2018 version. If you have any comments on this year’s edition of the VLS Student Handbook, please contact Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity, Shirley A. Jefferson at 802-831-1333 or email [email protected]. 2017-18 Vermont Law School Student Handbook August 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome Messages ............................................................................................................ 8 Dean Jefferson, Associate Dean for Student Affairs & Diversity Cody Stryker, Student Bar Association President Academic Calendar ......................................................................................................... 10 Institutional Resources ................................................................................................... 12 Departmental Information .................................................................................... 13 Event Planning ..................................................................................................... 20 Counseling Services ............................................................................................. 21 Mediation ............................................................................................................. 24 Notary Public ....................................................................................................... 24 Zip Cars ................................................................................................................ 25 Federal Work Study Payroll Schedule ................................................................. 26 Student Organizations .................................................................................................... 27 Academic Regulations ..................................................................................................... 31 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 32 General Provisions ............................................................................................... 32 Juris Doctor .......................................................................................................... 43 Requirements for the Degree .................................................................. 43 Qualifications & Requirements for Clinics & Externships ..................... 51 Independent Research Projects ............................................................... 53 Grades & Academic Standards ............................................................... 57 Master’s Degree Programs ................................................................................... 59 General Provisions .................................................................................. 59 Externships .............................................................................................. 61 Independent Research Projects ............................................................... 62 Directed Study ......................................................................................... 62 Grades & Academic Standards ............................................................... 62 Master of Environmental Law & Policy (MELP) ................................... 63 Master of Energy Regulation & Law Degree (MERL) ........................... 67 Master of Food & Agriculture Law &Policy (MFALP) ......................... 68 Joint Degrees ........................................................................................................ 69 Joint JD/Master’s Degree ........................................................................ 69 2017-18 Vermont Law School Student Handbook August 2017 Joint JD/LLM in Environmental Law Degree ........................................ 70 Joint JD/LLM in Energy Law Degree ..................................................... 70 Joint JD/LLM in Food and Agriculture Law Degree .............................. 71 Dual Degrees – JD Program ................................................................................. 71 Dual Degrees MELP Program ............................................................................. 76 Dual JD/MELP Degree Programs with Other Law Schools ................................ 78 Master of Laws (LLM) Degree Programs ............................................................ 80 Master of Laws in Environmental Law Degree (LLM) .......................... 83 Master of Laws in Energy Law Degree (LLM) ...................................... 85 Master of Laws in Food & Agriculture Law Degree .............................. 86 Master of Laws in American Legal Studies (LLM) ................................ 87 Certificate Programs ............................................................................................. 88 Certificate in Dispute Resolution ............................................................ 89 Experiential Advocacy Program Certificate ........................................... 90 International and Comparative Law Certificate ...................................... 91 Certificate in Climate Law ...................................................................... 92 Certificate in Energy Law ....................................................................... 93 Certificate in Land Use Law ................................................................... 94 Certificate in Water Resources Law ....................................................... 94 Certificate in Criminal Law .................................................................... 95 Certificate in Business Law .................................................................... 96 Certificate in Food and Agriculture Law ................................................ 97 Vermont Law School Honor Code ....................................................................... 97 Committee on Standards Policies and Procedures ............................................. 104 Code of Conduct ............................................................................................................ 106 Article I. Standards of Conduct .......................................................................... 107 Article II. Application of the Code of Conduct .................................................. 107 Article III. Student’s Duty to Report .................................................................. 109 Article IV. Procedure ......................................................................................... 109 Article V. Sanctions ........................................................................................... 114 Article VI. Amendment ...................................................................................... 115 Involuntary Withdrawal or Separation ...................................................................... 116 Policy Against Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation . 117 General Provisions ............................................................................................. 117 2017-18 Vermont Law School Student Handbook August 2017 Procedures for Handling Complaints ................................................................. 121 Sexual Misconduct, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Policy Resources and Procedures ............................................................................................ 124 Article I. VLS Policy .......................................................................................... 124 Article II. Materials Available ........................................................................... 131 Article III. Resources for Victims ...................................................................... 131 Article IV. Vermont Law School Disciplinary Action ...................................... 133 Addendum .......................................................................................................... 138 Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures ....................................................................... 140 Accidents & Safety Hazards .............................................................................