What a great day! I love the first day of class in the fall. We welcome back our returning students, hear about their exciting adventures over the summer, and help our 1Ls find their way through their new life as law students. I know I speak for the entire faculty, staff, and administration when I say that we missed you over the summer and that we are happy you have brought your energy back to our hallways and classrooms.
We have a wonderful year planned for you. As usual, you will have the opportunity to hear from terrific speakers, like a former U.S. Solicitor General (Don Verrilli) and a federal judge on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (the Honorable Raymond Lohier). We will celebrate College of Law traditions such as Mel Shinn Day, Community Justice Week, and the Barrister’s Ball. The College will launch a new technology platform to help students track their Build Your Character skills development and their progress on our learning objectives, as well as having other helpful functionality. We will host the regional trial team competition and send teams across the country to participate in moot court, mediation, and client counseling competitions. Throughout it all, we will continue to focus on our most important job: helping you develop into outstanding professionals who will make a difference for your communities.
Last week, I asked the 1L class to be “all in” on their legal education, and I am now extending that ask to all of you. Whatever time you have remaining at the College of Law, I urge you to make the most of it – develop a mentoring relationship with an alumnus or a professor; take a leadership role in an organization that feeds your passion; sign up for a skills competition that pushes you out of your comfort zone. You will never have opportunities to learn and grow like you have right now.
I have one other ask: please help me continue building a supportive and inclusive community this year. We ended last year in the midst of thoughtful discussions around how to do that, and I want to continue those conversations this year. I think this requires two behaviors. First, as you engage your classmates and professors in vigorous and thoughtful debates, please be conscious of the impact your words and tone may have on others with different backgrounds and sensitivities. I am not asking you to change your views or what you say; I am asking that you constantly speak and act from a foundation of respect for your classmates and colleagues.
Second, I ask that you exhibit grace when you listen to others’ views. Assume good faith and work to understand each other’s perspective, even if not all of us use words in the most thoughtful way.
In other words, I hope you can be thoughtful when speaking and gracious when listening. Consider treating others with respect and civility. Voice your strong views respectfully, and have strength when you hear views with which you profoundly disagree.
Thank you for all you do to make this community special. I am looking forward to spending this next year with you.