Registrar
Whittier Law School’s 6th Annual
On Common Ground
March 22- April 2, 2004
The goal is freedom.
Freedom from the pain created by hatred
Freedom from our own ignorance, fears, patterns and preconceptions
Freedom to live lives of compassion, wisdom, kindness and joy and to make the world a place in which such lives are possible for others
On Common Ground
In 1999, students at Whittier Law School created On Common Ground out of the desire to recognize and acknowledge our (dis) connections to other human beings. The idea first arose in response to the horrifying murders of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. in 1998.
Matthew Shepard, a gay 21-year-old college student, was beaten and bound to a fence in near freezing temperatures. He spent five days in a coma and died October 12, 1998. Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson are both serving two consecutive life sentences for felony murder.
They lured Matthew from a bar in Laramie, Wyoming, drove him to a spot outside of town, pistol-whipped him and left him tied to fence. He had been hit an estimated 18 times with the butt of a handgun. His skull was crushed, his face was severely cut and he would spend 18 hours tied to the fence until a mountain biker found him. He never regained consciousness.
James Byrd Jr. was a 49-year-old African-American man who was killed when he was dragged behind a pickup truck in Jasper, Texas. He had been walking home from a friend’s anniversary party when he was offered a lift home. John William King, Shawn Berry and Lawrence Russell Brewer offered him the ride. They drove James several miles out of town before beating him unconscious and chaining him to the bumper of the truck by his ankles. He was dragged for nearly three miles along the rural roads. His head and one of his arms were torn off while he was dragged.
James’ body was discovered the next day, June 8, 1998, in a wooded area of Jasper County. His head and arm were found a mile away. The kidnapping and killing were motivated by racism and hate.
These deaths remind us that hatred must be actively resisted and not fearfully ignored or passively opposed. On Common Ground is a time of active resistance to the hatred, ignorance and cruelty that, wherever they exist in the world, diminish all of us. This year we celebrate the Sixth Annual On Common Ground.
On-going Events:
The Clothesline Project
In 1990, women in Hyannis, Mass. joined together to create The Clothesline Project hoping to visually voice the pain of women and girls who have suffered physical violence and sexual abuse. The project is a startling reminder about the sexual, gender and domestic violence that torment the lives of many women and girls. The rainbow of t-shirts paints a gloomy picture of violence and pain that is ordinarily not voiced by the surviving victims and their families. An estimated 150,000 people have seen the Los Angeles County Clothesline Project’s display in a variety of forums including at the National Organization of Women March of Women’s Lives in Washington, D.C. and at the capital steps in Sacramento.
Room 1 Takeover
Each year during On Common Ground, Room 1 is transformed into an interactive space. This year, we have asked the student organizations to create displays that portray freedom (or lack of freedom in some cases).
Monday, March 29, 2004
12:30 p.m., Room 1
Judicial Activism debate : Should Judges be Activists?
Featuring: Professor Patricia Leary and Professor Mario Mainero
Lunch will be served!
4:30 p.m.
Roundtable Discussion - Gay Marriage
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
12:00 p.m
Take a Stand
HALSA Movie NIght: Mendez v Westminster
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
6:30 p.m.
Sweatshop Fashion Show
Thursday, April 1, 2004
5:30 p.m.
Judge Michael Z. Salvador (EEOC)
Title VII, discrimination (race, color, religion, national origin)
Last Year's Events - Fifth Annual On Common Ground:
The Clothesline Project
In 1990, women in Hyannis, Mass. joined together to create The Clothesline Project hoping to visually voice the pain of women and girls who have suffered physical violence and sexual abuse. The project is a startling reminder about the sexual, gender and domestic violence that torment the lives of many women and girls. The rainbow of t-shirts paints a gloomy picture of violence and pain that is ordinarily not voiced by the surviving victims and their families. An estimated 150,000 people have seen the Los Angeles County Clothesline Project’s display in a variety of forums including at the National Organization of Women March of Women’s Lives in Washington, D.C. and at the capital steps in Sacramento.
Room 1 Takeover
Each year during On Common Ground, Room 1 is transformed into an interactive space. This year, we have asked the student organizations to create displays that portray freedom (or lack of freedom in some cases).
Sidewalk Art Gallery
Please feel free to express yourself along the sidewalks of the quad area. Sidewalk chalk will be available for you to draw, write and create
Special thanks to Professor Leary and Dean McGuigan
Thank you to all organizations who have met on common ground and made this special celebration of freedom possible . . .
Monday, March 17
4-6:30 p.m., outside/quad area
The Opening Act
“The Opening Act” is an On Common Ground tradition that was started two years ago. It is a celebration and forum for expression. Everyone is encouraged to voice his or her thoughts, viewpoints, opinions and ideas. By doing so, we hope to open doors for one another and find a genuine common ground, which can help pave the path toward unity and understanding. What’s on your mind? Do you have a favorite excerpt from a book, poem, song or play?
Tuesday, March 18
5:30 p.m., room TBA
WLSA film screening
Please join our Women’s Law Student Association for a screening of O.C. NOW’s “Passion for Justice” & the “F” word.
Wednesday, March 19
12:00 noon, room 1
5:00 p.m., room 1
Take a Stand
Do you know how to agree? Disagree? TAKE A STAND is an interactive activity that will help you discover where you really stand on the issues. We will discuss issues ranging from relationships to sexuality to religion to race . . . and much more. Do not miss this opportunity to voice your thoughts and convictions. Everyone will have an opportunity to express opinions. Everyone is welcome. Despite our differences, we are still on common ground.
6:00 p.m., room TBA
Privacy
Please join Whittier’s chapter of the National Lawyer’s Guild and the Campus Democrats for “Freedom from Privacy: How Much of a Patriot are You?”
Thursday, March 20
All day . . .
Day of Silence
Everyone is encouraged to participate in the day of silence. There are many groups who do not have a voice in the law . . . there will be different colored bandanas available so that you can select the group that is significant to you.
11:00-5:00, room 1
Red Cross Blood Drive
Please support our newly re-formed Health Law Society by giving blood.
Sunday, March 23
1:00 p.m., cafeteria
Book Talk Brunch
Animal Farm by George Orwell. One of the reasons for the existence of On Common Ground is to celebrate and strengthen the law school as a community. Thanks to the inspiration and generous financial support of Dean Cogan, On Common Ground is pleased to continue the tradition that began last year. All are invited- students, faculty, staff and administration. Please join us for Sunday brunch . . . come have a mimosa and share in the discussion.
Monday, March 24
12:15, room TBA
Animal Rights Guest Speaker
Please join Whittier’s chapter of Animal Legal Defense Fund, WLSA and NLG in hosting “Meat Dominance, Male Dominance: the Power of the Fork” with Marti Kheel.
Marti Kheel is a writer and activist in the areas of animal liberation, ecofeminism and environmental ethics. In 1982, she co-founded Feminists for Animal Rights in the hopes of bridging the divisions between the feminist and animal advocacy movement. She received her doctorate from the Graduate Theological Union in 2000.
4:30-6:30, room 1
Affirmative Action Debate
Don’t miss this roundtable event where students will voice their opinions on this hot topic. People of all viewpoints are encouraged to attend and participate.
6:30, room TBA
PILF movie night
Boys Don’t Cry. Join PILF for Hillary Swank’s powerful, Oscar-winning performance.
Tuesday, March 25
5:30, room Cafeteria
Sweatshop Fashion Show
This anti-sweatshop event will feature a panel of speakers including Victor Narro (Sweatshop Watch), 2 workers, and Tom Hayden. The fashion show will feature students, faculty and staff as models. Hosted by Whittier’s: National Lawyers Guild, WLSA, JLSA, HALSA and Campus Democrats.
Wednesday, March 26
12:00-2:00, room TBA
War with Iraq, an open forum
Please join Whittier’s Republican Leadership Counsel in an open discussion about the possible war with Iraq. All viewpoints are welcome and all are encouraged to express.
5:30, room 1
Take a Stand
7:00-9:00, room TBA
Guest Speaker
Please join us in welcoming Andy Semotiuk. On behalf of Amnesty International, he is an attorney and former representation for political prisoner Danylo Shumuk.
Thursday, March 27
12:15-1:30, room 1
LGBTLSA panel
Please join the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Law Student’s Association in a panel discussion about issues confronting society each day.
6:30, room 1
Abortion Debate
You won’t want to miss this roundtable event where faculty and students will voice their opinions on this hot topic. Find out why Prof. Leary and Prof. Mainero both disagree with Roe v. Wade. Student
Organizations:
Membership in these organizations are open
to any Whittier Law Student.
Student Bar Association
All registered Whittier Law School students
are members of the Student Bar Association. The SBA organizes
activities of general Law School interest and helps new students
adjust to life at Whittier by sponsoring social, athletic,
and law-related events. The SBA Board represents student
interests in and sit as members of the Faculty Center For
Children's Rights Committee, Curriculum Committee, Intellectual
Property Program Committee, Library and Technology Committee,
and Long Range Planning Committee. Students also have parallel
committees to Faculty Committees on Academic Standards, Admissions,
Governance and Personnel. These Student Committees sit with
the related Faculty Committees to discuss policy matters.
The President of the SBA is a voting member at the Faculty.
SBA also allocates funds to each of the active student groups
at Whittier and publishes The Barrister, the student newspaper.
American Bar Association / Law Student
Division
The Law Student Division informs students
about the American Bar Association and issues of concern
to the legal profession as a whole. The law school chapter
works with other student organizations to bring speakers
to the campus and provide legal experience outside the classroom.
Armenian Law Students Society
The purpose of the organization is to enhance
cultural awareness for students of Armenian descent. The
organization engages in opportunities which explore legal
networking and social activities among members. The Society
sponsors discussions, panels, and guest speakers.
Asian Pacific American Law Students
Association
The organization is committed to providing
a forum for American students of Asian and Pacific Islander
descent and foreign students. The members engage in opportunities
which explore customs, cultures, and legal problems unique
to their heritage.Click
here to visit our web page.
Black Law Students Association
The Whittier chapter of the Black Law Students
Association is active on campus as well as on regional and
national levels. BLSA programs include exam-writing workshops
and other events to ensure academic and professional success.
On the national level, BLSA participates in the Frederick
Douglas Moot Court Competition, job fairs, and community
service projects.
Campus Democrats
Campus Democrats is an Equal Opportunity
Organization with the purpose and goal to "support the philosophy
and candidates of the Democratic Party; to support all efforts
to increase the participation of WLS students in Democratic
Affairs."
Christian Legal Society
The purpose of the chapter is to provide
mutual support, encouragement, and fellowship to law students
who identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. This
allows participants to live out that commitment in their
personal and professional lives.
Entertainment and Sports Law Society
The focus of this organization is to educate
and inform students about career opportunities in the sports
and entertainment industries. The society sponsors lecturers
and seminars on related topics.
Environmental Law Society
The society was founded in response to
growing interest and concern for environmental issues. ELS
sponsors speakers from various fields of environmental law
and seeks to identify employment opportunities for students.
The Federalist Society
The law school chapter of the national
Federalist Society is founded on the principles of individual
freedom, the separation of governmental powers and the rule
of law. The Society seeks both to promote an awareness of
these principles and to further their application by fostering
debate and discussion of current legal, political and social
issues. The organization's membership is open and is comprised
primarily of conservatives and libertarians.
Hispanic American Law Students Association
The Association promotes and provides opportunities
for Hispanic-American law students through discussions, panels,
and other events.
Intellectual Property Law Society
The purpose of the Intellectual Property
Law Society is to explore all facets of intellectual property
law and the many roles of attorneys within this specialty.
The Society organizes topical seminars, sponsors guest speakers,
maintains relationships with alumni specializing in this
area of law and promotes Whittier's Intellectual Property
Certificate Program.
International Law Society
The International Law Society provides
a forum for students interested in the field of international
law. Through discussions, speakers, research, and publications,
the society promotes opportunities within international law.
The society also sponsors an annual International Law Symposium
that addresses various national and international issues
of concern to the legal community.
Iranian Law Students Association
The Iranian Law Student Association assists
Iranian law students and provides support for their legal
education. It promotes academic excellence and creates an
intellectually stimulating environment. The Association also
works to bring light to the history of Iran and the origins
of its legal system.
Jewish Law Students Association
The JLSA of the Los Angeles Hillel Council
provides an excellent opportunity for Jewish law students
to meet each other, participate in social, professional,
and religious activities, and develop contacts with members
of the Southern California legal community.
Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Law Students
Association
This organization's purpose is to provide
a supportive social network for law students of diverse orientations.
The association works to educate the community about sexual
identities and to promote diversity in law school and the
legal profession through workshops and lectures.
Middle Eastern Law Students Association
Middle Eastern Law Students Association
The purpose of the Middle Eastern Law Students Association
is to provide a supportive, pro-active environment to address
the legal issues facing the Middle Eastern community.
National Lawyers Guild
The NLG’s motto is that human rights
should be more sacred than property rights.
OWLS (Older Wiser Law Students)
OWLS is a service group for non-traditional
students. The group hosts social events, presents guest speakers,
and forms study groups.
Whittier Public Interest Law Foundation
is a nonprofit, student-directed organization. WPILF is committed
to increasing the awareness of students, faculty, alumni,
and administration to the rewards, challenges, and opportunities
in public interest law projects through financial support,
educational programs, community outreach and other ongoing
efforts necessary to fulfill its goals.
Republican
Leadership Council
A student organization for moderate to
conservative Republicans who believe in limited government
and fiscal responsibility, the RLC continues the tradition
of Whittier's most famous alumnus, Richard M. Nixon, by offering
members the opportunity to get involved in the Republican Party at the local,
state, and national level. The RLC meets once a month to plan upcoming events
and listen to prominent guest speakers. In addition, the
club will also begin a network for members with the California Republican Lawyers
Association.
The Tax Law Society
This society provides an academic informational
network and forum of the issues and principles surrounding
tax law. The Tax Law Society works in conjunction with Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly
(TCE).
The Zealous Advocate
The Zealous Advocate, the student newspaper
is written and edited by students.
Women Law Students Association
The Women Law Students Association
is dedicated to meeting the needs of women in law school
and explores issues of interest in the legal profession
and the community. The association maintains close relationships
with alumnae to sponsor symposia, conferences, and panel
discussions.
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