[Nlsa] Defining NLS's and identifying needs

[Williams, Jerrell]

Now that I am have got my legs under me from last semester I am ramping
up efforts for the Development Committee (a little late, sorry : ( ).
One of the primary objectives of this committee is to develop a body of
knowledge regarding the needs to Non-Traditional Law Students (NLS).
This means identifying the unique needs of NLS's and ways to meet those
needs.

 

Here is where I need your help:

 

1.	Would you be interested in being part of this committee? We need
people who can... 

	a.	Contact other NLSA's at other schools to pick their
brains. 
	b.	Help host focus group lunches (meet with NLS's to
discuss the issues they face). This will mean helping to pick up food
(not pay for), setting up, moderator discussions. 
	c.	Any other ways that you can think to help identify the
needs of NLS's and how to meet those needs. 

 

2.	Brainstorm with me (you can do that right now with an email) as
to the definitions of an NLS. By defining the types of NLS's we can
better identify needs. As you know defining Non-Traditional Law Student
is like hitting a moving target, but that is the obvious starting point.
For the most part I think we all have a general idea of an NLS is, but
it is helpful to make sure no stone is unturned and that we have some
clarity. Here are some questions and some of my answers to help get your
brain going. 

	a.	What is a Traditional student (TS)? 

                                                               i.
enters law school straight out of college (having gone to college
straight from high school). 

                                                             ii.
Usually age 21-25.

                                                            iii.
Most are single, but marriage is not uncommon.

                                                            iv.
Have no kids.

                                                              v.
Rents rather than owns.

                                                            vi.
Most have no substantial personal/family finance experience.

	b.	What types of NLS are there? (I answer by how they
deviate from a TS) May be characterized by any one or combination of
these: 

                                                               i.
Has a significant time gap between College and Law School.

                                                             ii.
Older than the TS (traditional student)

                                                            iii.
Married

                                                            iv.      Has
kids

                                                              v.
Has at one time owned a home (and hates renting a tiny 648 sqft town
home while in school...uh...did I say that out loud?)

                                                            vi.      Has
the stress of school as well as the joys and stresses of family life.

                                                           vii.
Transferred in to UR from another law school (? Not sure if this is an
identifying characteristic of a type of NLS)

 

Remember the rules of brainstorming: 1) there are no right/wrong
answers, 2) the only bad idea is the one you don't say.

 

-Jerrell

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