University of Chicago Law School Listserv: The Dean of Students Weighs In

Things just seem to be getting more and more draconian over that the University of Chicago Law School. Yesterday we reminded you of the school’s attempts to shut down internet access in class. The day before that we mentioned that some student was calling for an end to video games on personal laptops during lectures.

Today, the UofC Dean of Students has piped up with thoughts about the appropriate use for a law school listserv:

It has come to my attention that there may be some confusion among our student body about the proper use of our student listservs, and now is an ideal time to clarify this information. For your review, I have attached the guidelines for the use of the LawAnnounce listserv. You will notice that the LawAnnounce listserv is meant for informal announcements that may be of general interest to the law school community, and serves as an electronic bulletin board of sorts. While the list is monitored by our administrative staff, the Law School generally does not restrict content on this site with few exceptions. For example, while students are not permitted to use the listserv for “political commentary,” students may be permitted to invite others to a political rally. (*See restrictions below.) The listserv is not meant to be a discussion board, however, on any political issue. Therefore, rebuttals or commentary about a posting should be directed to the poster and/or to the administration, but not to the listserv. This kind of back and forth discussion is more appropriate for a blog and not for this forum. Similarly, any offensive language, including the use of racial slurs, is strictly prohibited on LawAnnounce.

ATL would love to take credit for the “ideal” timing of this letter. But sadly, it appears that politics made this message necessary.

After the jump, more stern warnings from the Dean of Students that are promptly disregarded.


For some reason, UofC’s administration really desires the level of information control that the Chinese government enjoys:

Please note that “information on either list should not be shared (forwarded to, or copied to) anyone outside of the University of Chicago Law School community without express permission from the original poster.”

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It’s funny how legal sounding threats that have no basis in the law don’t tend to work against law students.

Read the full letter below. And note that “guidelines” are nothing more than guidelines.

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAW SCHOOL — OPEN LETTER — APPROPRIATE USE OF THE STUDENT LIST SERV

Dear Students,

It has come to my attention that there may be some confusion among our student body about the proper use of our student listservs, and now is an ideal time to clarify this information. For your review, I have attached the guidelines for the use of the LawAnnounce listserv. You will notice that the LawAnnounce listserv is meant for informal announcements that may be of general interest to the law school community, and serves as an electronic bulletin board of sorts. While the list is monitored by our administrative staff, the Law School generally does not restrict content on this site with few exceptions. For example, while students are not permitted to use the listserv for “political commentary,” students may be permitted to invite others to a political rally. (*See restrictions below.) The listserv is not meant to be a discussion board, however, on any political issue. Therefore, rebuttals or commentary about a posting should be directed to the poster and/or to the administration, but not to the listserv. This kind of back and forth discussion is more appropriate for a blog and not for this forum. Similarly, any offensive language, including the use of racial slurs, is strictly prohibited on LawAnnounce.

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Also note that LawAnnounce is distinguishable from our LSAOrgs listserv. The LSAOrgs listserv should be used by student organizations to announce events that are open to the entire law school community. No more than two (2) announcements per event (an initial announcement and a reminder) should be posted on the listserv.

Please note that “information on either list should not be shared (forwarded to, or copied to) anyone outside of the University of Chicago Law School community without express permission from the original poster.”

Students are automatically subscribed to both listservs when they matriculate, but may unsubscribe at any time. In addition, any student who violates these guidelines will be given a warning, and may lose their posting privileges on the listserv.

These listservs are wonderful resources for our community, and I urge all of you to continue to use these resources responsibly.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Dean Richardson

*In pertinent part, the guidelines are as follows . . .

The LawAnnounce listserv should NOT be used for:

1) Excessive event advertising (no more than 2 posts per event)

2) Postings that encourage unsafe drinking (i.e. refer to getting “wasted,” etc.), are sexually explicit, use racial or other slurs, personally attacks a member of the law school community (including professors and administrators), or are otherwise inappropriate in any way will be restricted.

3) Rebuttals to previous postings you found offensive or about which you disagree (respond to the poster individually)

4) Political commentary

5) News stories that you think are interesting

Michele Baker Richardson

Dean of Students

Earlier: War on Laptops

University of Chicago Law Student Hates Nintendo