BLSA INDIANA TECH
LAW SCHOOL
Issue 1
Eu
BLSA
Indiana Tech Law School
JUNE 2014 TYPE TAGLINE HERE
IN THIS ISSUE
Summer at a Glance by BLSA Staff
First and foremost- congratulations to all of the law students, you have SURVIVED YOUR FIRST YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL! Give yourselves a well-deserved pat on the back! Summer has officially started, take a nice collective sigh of relief. Even though school is done until the fall, there are still plenty of things going on to keep us busy. First, the Mike’s Carwash fundraiser was not as successful as hoped, but we have an outstanding opportunity for another fundraiser that I believe we can knock out of the park. Information will be sent out to BLSA members by the end of the month. After being discussed and reviewed, we will go ahead and make a decision regarding that and move on from there. In the meantime, we do have some rather interesting things happening: a forum with the Euelle Wilson Center and the School-toPrison Pipeline; a new website; and some great opportunities with NBLSA and also scholarships. All the details are inside, so please read
and enjoy. And remember, ENJOY YOUR SUMMER! -Robyn Clark President of the Indiana Tech Law School Chapter of Black Law Students Association
School To Prison Pipeline Page 2
NBLSA Opportunities Page 3
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School To Prison Pipeline by BLSA Staff
The term "school-to-prison pipeline" is a phrase that is used by education reform activists to describe what they view as a widespread pattern in the United States of pushing students, especially those who are already at a disadvantage, out of school and into the American criminal justice system. They argue that this "pipeline" is the result of public institutions being neglectful or derelict in properly addressing students as individuals who might need extra educational or social assistance, or being unable to do so because of staffing shortages or statutory mandates. The resulting miseducation and mass incarceration are said to create a vicious circle for individuals and communities. Certain school-level practices correlate to delinquency
2 and incarceration. These practices include searches of students, strict rules outlined in the school handbook and code of student conduct, excessive policing at schools, and highstakes testing that slates students for failure, grade retention, and dropping out of school. School officials across the country responded to a surge in juvenile crime during the 1980s and the Columbine High School shootings a decade later by tightening disciplinary policies and increasing the number of police patrolling public schools. One unfortunate result has been the creation of a repressive environment in which young people are suspended, expelled or even arrested over minor misbehaviors — like talking back or disrupting class — that would once have been handled by the principal. In an effort to employ the importance of being aware of the pipeline and how to not fall victim to it, BLSA has partnered with The Eulle Wilson Center. We will be
conducting a series of discussions created to foster discussion and help to create a better community for all.
TEEN FORUM SESSION Date: June 18, 2014 Location: Eulle Wilson Center Topic: School-to-Prison Pipeline
Upcoming Scholarship Opportunities by BLSA Staff
School may be out, but there are still opportunities to show off your legal prowess! Here is a list of scholarships and deadlines for July. Best of luck! Eisenberg Prize 2,000 More information here IAHA Law Student Writing Competition 2,500/1,500/500 More information here Tannenwald Writing Competition 5,000/2,500/1,500 More information here
NACC Law Student Essay Competition 1,000 More information here Holocaust Remembrance Essay Award 500 (Canadian) More information here Roy C. Palmer Civil Liberties Prize 10,000 More information here
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Competitions
NBLSA Opportunities by BLSA Staff
Writing Opportunities ITEMS NEEDED TO APPLY Judicial Advocacy
Items Needed
There are a few extra opportunities through NBLSA to make a difference in the world you live in. These opportunities are: Judicial Advocacy; and Social Action. Judicial Advocacy has two opportunities: The Amicus Brief Program; and the White Papers Program. Amicus Brief Program
Writing Sample Resume Bluebook Exercise
Social Action
Many Opportunites If interested, then please email socialaction@nblsa.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION www.nblsa.org
The Amicus Brief Program is a competitive opportunity that enables NBLSA students to empower communities by drafting and submitting amicus curiae briefs supporting judicial decisions affecting minority communities, particularly the African American Community. Participation in this program allows students the opportunity to research current appellate cases and assist in the preparation of briefs that advocate for reforms consistent with NBLSA's initiatives. More information may be found here. White Papers Program The White Papers Program NBLSA will continue its participation in government regulatory advocacy through the White Paper Program. White papers are used to educate and advise on policies or legislation. The first issue NBLSA will examine
will be the role school suspensions play in the School-to-Prison Pipeline. NBLSA will also address voting rights in North Carolina in the wake of the passage of a new, more restrictive voter identification law. If you would like to assist the White Paper Program, contact judicial@nblsa.org. Social Action NBLSA is committed to grassroots advocacy and engagement. NBLSA's social action initiatives currently include: working to end the school-to-prison pipeline, voter protection, and greater access to higher and professional education, including the issue of student loan debt. Throughout this year, NBLSA members will engage in grassroots and advocacy initiatives that focus on our core initiative. NBLSA members will partner with other advocacy organizations to bring consciousness, and give context to these social advocacy initiatives.
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School-to-Prison Pipeline NBLSA members will work to end the school-to-prison pipeline through mentorship. The 3-6-9 Mentoring Initiative is a national NBLSA advocacy mentorship program. NBLSA members will serve as mentors to youth in grades 3, 6, and 9. NBLSA mentors work will work to assist youth with reading comprehension and literacy, conflict resolution, and college preparation.
Access to Higher Education and Student Loan Issues NBSLA members will advocate for greater access to higher education and lower student loan rates. NBLSA members will advocate for lower student loan interest rates rates and expanded financial aid opportunities for students at both collegiate and graduate levels. For more information regarding social action initiatives, please email socialaction@nblsa.org.
Voter Protection NBLSA members will partner with other national advocacy organizations in an effort to ensure regions, and work to promote voter protection.
Competitions There are three competitions held annually by NBLSA. They are The Nelson Mandela International Negotiations Competition; The Thurgood Marshall Moot Trial Competition; and the Fredrick Douglass Moot Court Competition. These are all team competitions and
New Website by BLSA Staff
We are working on a new website! After many problems with Facebook not showing all of our postings, it was determined the best course of action would be to create a website. The website will showcase the same information as on our Facebook page but in a more permanent and accessible medium. Also, we will be starting a mailing list, please sign up by emailing us at blsaitlaw@gmail.com
we are looking into participating in at least one if not all three competitions this upcoming year. Registration begins in September and the cost per team will be $300.00 USD. For more information please go here.
and stay on top of all the exciting things to come in the 2014-2015 academic year. Some of the upcoming highlights are: another fundraiser- bigger and better; our members becoming involved in the national competitions with other BLSA chapters; community activism with our Teen Forum in partnership with the Eulle Wilson Center. We are very excited with what we have accomplished, and we know the journey has many new and exciting experiences for all involved ahead!
FOR MORE INFORMATION Facebook: www.facebook.com/blsaitlaw Email : blsaitlaw@gmail.com